The swords is the suit of intelligence, logic, truth, ambition, conflict and communication. It is associated with the element of air. In readings, these cards focus on the faculty and power of intellect, which like the swords themselves, are double-edged. This can be used for both good or evil, to help and to harm, and our greatest conflicts usually come from this delicate balance. At their worst, the swords can be abusive, harsh, and lack empathy.
Learn More about the Suit of SwordsTarot Card Meanings List — Swords
A Guide to all 78 Tarot Cards
Suit of Swords
logic, ideas, intellect, communication
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: head over heart, discipline, truth Reversed: manipulative, cruel, weakness Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: action, impulsiveness, defending beliefs Reversed: no direction, disregard for consequences, unpredictability Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: complexity, perceptiveness, clear mindedness Reversed: cold hearted, cruel, bitterness Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: curiosity, restlessness, mental energy Reversed: deception, manipulation, all talk Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: failure, collapse, defeat Reversed: can't get worse, only upwards, inevitable end Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: anxiety, hopelessness, trauma Reversed: hope, reaching out, despair Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: imprisonment, entrapment, self-victimization Reversed: self acceptance, new perspective, freedom Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: deception, trickery, tactics and strategy Reversed: coming clean, rethinking approach, deception Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: transition, leaving behind, moving on Reversed: emotional baggage, unresolved issues, resisting transition Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: unbridled ambition, win at all costs, sneakiness Reversed: lingering resentment, desire to reconcile, forgiveness Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: heartbreak, suffering, grief Reversed: recovery, forgiveness, moving on Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: rest, restoration, contemplation Reversed: restlessness, burnout, stress Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: difficult choices, indecision, stalemate Reversed: lesser of two evils, no right choice, confusion Full Tarot Meaning
✦ ✦ ✦ Upright: breakthrough, clarity, sharp mind Reversed: confusion, brutality, chaos Full Tarot Meaning