Tarot: Voice of the Inner Light by Richard Palmer - HTML preview

THE SUITE OF SWORDS

ACE

“Root of Air”

U: Creativity; going forward with great success; a powerful force of love; a new beginning; a change of mind; victory

R: Destructiveness; tyranny; conflict; obstacles lying ahead; success but with disastrous results; hardship; defeat; suffering

TWO

“Mental Equilibrium”

U:  Stability; being in control; balance; equilibrium; possible impasse or stalemate; a need for introspection

R: Movement, but sometimes in the wrong direction; doubt; possible trouble ahead; a time for caution;

THREE

“Sorrow”

U: Sorrow; loss; conflict; separation; quarrels; emotional upheaval; disruption; strife; the fullest expression of sorrow 

R: Moving out of sorrow; a new chance for happiness; hopes being fulfilled; confusion and discord fading away; new dignity and courage

FOUR

“Rest”

U: Rest; recuperation; inaction; a period of relief from sorrow, anxiety or stress; taking a break before moving forward; finding inner peace; exercising discretion in your affairs; calmness; tranquility

R: Renewed activity and movement in your affairs; things starting to move forward; new plans starting to take shape; a change for the better; exercising caution in your dealings

FIVE

“Defeat”

U: An unfavorable outcome; failure; loss; defeat; giving up the struggle; retreat;  dishonor; cruelty;  failed ambition

R: A minor loss; an empty victory; weakness; humiliation; sorrow; indecision; cowardliness; empty success

SIX

 “Earned Success”

U:  A passage opening up; sorrow, difficulties and obstacles being overcome; a better future coming into sight; success being attained

R: Continued struggle; no immediate way out of present difficulties; more effort being necessary to overcome obstacles; not giving up hope

SEVEN

“Unstable Purpose”

U: A plan that may fail; instability; no real progress being made; restlessness; a lack of long term success; a temporary victory; vanity; dishonesty

R: A possibility of unexpected good; hope and confidence restored; wishes being fulfilled; success  

EIGHT

“Bondage”

U: Bondage; fear; indecision; crisis; betrayal; self imprisonment; helplessness; seeing no way out; restriction; weakness; helplessness

R: New freedom from fear and restrictions; a new beginning becoming possible; problems being resolved; a new hope and promise; escape from bondage into freedom

NINE

“Despair and Cruelty”

U: Suffering; anxiety; inner turmoil; loss; emotional pain; fear; desolation; misery; despair; cruelty

R: Time brings healing; being patient and unselfish; tomorrow the sun will rise on a better and brighter day

TEN

“Ruin”

U: Sadness; trouble; pain; misfortune; ruin; defeat

R: The overthrow of negative forces; hope being restored; some success and progress; a new dawn rising; finding the courage to begin again

PAGE OF SWORDS

U: Vigilance; caution; social grace; dexterity; diplomacy; truthfulness; understanding; practicality; gracefulness; Caution: an upsetting message may arrive

R: Unexpected events; the arrival of an upsetting message; cunning; deviousness; treachery; vindictiveness; excess frivolity; Caution: May be an imposter or a spy

KNIGHT OF SWORDS

U: Courage; skill; cleanliness of heart; cleverness; mental agility; boldness; self discipline; integrity; strength; focused will and energy

R: Tyranny; craftiness; secrecy; troublemaking; impudence; destructiveness; arrogance; treachery; deceit

QUEEN OF SWORDS

U: Perceptiveness; intelligence; independence; possession of the strength to bear sorrow; self-confidence; strength of character; maturity; rationality; emotional control

R: Cruelty; narrow mindedness; bigotry; intolerance; a tendency to gossip; malice; jealousy; injustice; a manipulative nature

KING OF SWORDS

U: Rationality; courage; cleverness; strength; just authority; impartiality; a capacity for compassion and mercy; loyalty; subtlety; being logical and inventive; a tendency to be overcautious

R: Evil intentions; cunning; malice; unfairness; harshness; injustice; cruelty; perversity; manipulation; craftiness; unscrupulous dealings