The swords represent the intellect and the value of the truth and they are, by far, the most confronting cards in the Thoth deck. Aleister Crowley clearly believed that the mind can be dangerously destructive, and he’s not wrong. The Swords reflect the different ways our minds can play with our emotions, our sense of self worth, and even how we perceive reality itself. Insecurities, doubts and fears can get so tangled up in our heads that we end up stuck, in a variety of ways.
The Swords describe that process as it escalates, swinging wildly between passionate ideas and crippling indecision over and over again until nothing is left but a fearful mess who no longer trusts their own perception of reality. The best case scenario is a direct confrontation with the fact that the person who hurts you the most is yourself.
In each suit the 9s represent the completion of the Great Work - they are the ultimate success in whatever it is you’re trying to achieve. The 9 of Wands is called Strength, the 9 of Cups is Happiness and the 9 of Disks is Gain. The 9 of Swords is Cruelty. The card depicts 9 swords dripping with blood. Unlike all the other 9s, it starts from a position of failure, then offers hope by telling you that you’re now ready to learn to accept and love yourself again. It’s a different kind of success, but it is a deeply transformative one.
Not many people go through all ten steps of the Swords in order, but we’ve all experienced what each card describes at one point or another. Peace. Sorrow. Truce. Defeat. Science. Futility. Interference. Cruelty. Ruin. Life can do all that on its own, and anxiety, depression and other mental health issues magnify the effect. Then when you add the weight of poverty, prejudice, hateful and divisive media manipulation, a certain lunatic in power right now, and AI throwing a veil of doubt over a world already confused between facts and fake news, suddenly the Swords become a hauntingly accurate reflection of reality. But, thankfully, like the 9 of Swords, the rest of the cards are also potential breakthrough moments.
All the Swords ask you to take a hard, honest look at yourself, and that can be painful, but it’s also why they seem to have the most profound impact on people. They are the light of hope shining once again in a world that has been dark for far too long.
Below is an overview of the ten Sword cards in chronological order. I wrote it in a way that highlights the tragedy of the Swords if nothing is learned along the way. I hope reading it will make you realise you’re not alone, and that you’ve probably come a lot further than you think. Or, at the very least, that things can definitely be worse.
But first is a quick summary of what the aces through to the tens represent in general, devoid of their suit, so you will understand how the Swords have twisted that path. The meanings are the same for all four suits - Wands, Cups, Swords or Disks, and they follow the major stages of a person's journey through life.
The Aces are the pure essence of the suit. They are potential, and exist in the time that comes before the beginning.
The Twos are the first action or decision.
The Threes are the first sign of growth or expansion.
The Fours are about stability and structure. They are the first achievement, like getting your first apartment, or job, or relationship.
The Fives are the first time that stability is disrupted. Reflection is needed.
The Sixes are about harmony and community. They are the second achievement, like buying your first home, or selling your first book.
The Sevens are when you reflect on everything you’ve experienced so far, giving you a better understanding of how you got here, and what you need to do next.
The Eights are where you honestly examine both your desires and your fears in order to build a more stable foundation for the next stage of your journey.
The Nines are the completion of the Great Work, whatever that means to you. A home, a family, true love, being the boss of a successful company that you created. Your dreams have come true. Or, at the very least, you’ve identified what they look like.
The Tens are what you do after you’ve achieved success.
My eyes are open and I’m ready to face the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Bring it on!
That was deeply, deeply disturbing. I’m going to need a moment. Then I’ll figure out what to do next.
I can’t decide what to do. What’s wrong with me? I suddenly remember all the bad things that have ever happened to me. Every betrayal. Every lie. Every mistake. Every failure. Every heartbreak. Every loss. The weight of it all is almost unbearable, but I won’t give up. I let the emotions overwhelm me. That’s the only way to get through this.
That was exhausting. I’m going to need another moment. Maybe a few. But I’ll be okay. And I'll come up with a plan soon.
I can’t do this. What made me think I could? I’m delusional. There’s no point in even trying.
I can see clearly again! I got stuck in my own head, but I’m in a better place now. I have more to learn and that’s okay, I have a whole world out there to teach me!
Dwarfed by the wisdom and intellect of minds far greater than my own, I feel like the imposter that I now know am. I am ashamed and embarrassed. Please don’t look at me.
VIII of Swords - Interference
I’m so close to figuring this out, but I don’t want to make the wrong decision and I’m very, very tired. I’ve narrowed it down to two options but that’s where I’m stuck. This matters. I can’t get it wrong.
I’m going to fuck this up, I know it. I really thought I could be the one to do this? Me? I’m so stupid. I’m nothing but a worthless, waste of space. Just like my Father predicted. No one wants me there anyway, I’ll just get in the way. I hate myself.
No, wait, why am I treating myself like this? I’ve come so far. I can do this. I won’t give up now. I refuse to.
That was dumb. And I was wrong. Again. I am the definition of failure. Fear cripples me. I don’t know what to do next. My mind feels like it’s going to split in two. I can’t take this anymore. I give up.
Should you have the courage to face your fears and take the next step in your journey, you will find yourself in the Disks. The Ace of Disks is a new beginning in earthly and material things. It’s the majesty of the natural world. It’s the feeling you get when you dig your hands into the dirt. It’s the smell of fresh bread. It’s a new job offer, or the first day of Spring. It’s contentment.
This time, you really will be okay.
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