Podcast episode 4 - Mercurial changes with the Ace of Swords (includes transcript)

Be ruthlessly honest with yourself. This is the key to resolving the issue at hand. There is no room for self-indulgence, self-pity or excuses. You may be letting your heart rule your head, and that is the precisely wrong thing to do right now.

Image of the Ace of Swords from the Rider Waite Tarot deck. A hand emerges from a cloud and holds a sword straight up in the air.

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Click here for TarotCraft podcast episode 4 – Mercurial changes with the Ace of Swords

Transcription begins: 

 Welcome to the TarotCraft podcast. I’m Allison Jean, a Tarot enthusiast from Australia. Please join me on this journey into the mystic depths of Tarot and divination.

This time we’re taking a look at the suit of Swords. The suit of Swords represents the Element of Air. Intellect, thoughts, learning, worries, afflictions, illness.  It’s related to Winter, which is typically a time of introspection and planning rather than physical action. It represents the astrological Air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

The Element of Air is changeable and unpredictable, the opposite to the Suit of Pentacles and the Element of Earth, the energy of which is stable and slow to change.  This means that things can happen unexpectedly and rapidly and that change can be forced upon you rather than naturally evolving.

Where the Suit of Cups represents things that happen on an emotional level, the Suit of Swords represents things that happen on a mental level. This is the difference between what you think (Swords), what you feel (Cups) and what you do (Pentacles).

This suit represents planning, thinking, worrying, learning, studying. It shows mental and spiritual development, ideas and decisions - anything that goes on in the mind.  They also show the arrival of news, information and messages, especially in the presence of a Sword court card and also the presence of one of the angel cards.  I’ll talk about that in my next podcast.

Swords can be a little tricky to interpret as we need to depend on the surrounding cards and the question asked for context.

Also remember that the sword has two sides and it’s energy can be changeable and mercurial just like it’s element of Air. Traditionally, bad news, unfortunate events, and illnesses are associated with Swords cards, but even though a sword can cut you, it can also “cut” through illusions and problems.

Reversed or negatively aspected Swords can show confusion, clouded thinking and anxiety. Restrictions, losses and separations can also be indicated, along with isolation and inner turmoil.  They can suggest illness and affliction or something that is out of balance.  There may be too many possibilities on offer, causing confusion.

Now let’s take a look at the Ace of Swords
An important new idea is taking hold when this card appears in a reading. You might find that depression and anxiety might be ebbing away. A new perspective on life or the situation is taking hold. New ways of thinking and perceiving are available. An opportunity to learn something new can occur.

If reversed, there is likely to be trouble on the horizon. It could come in the form of a disagreement, illness or even legal issues.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous podcasts, the TarotCraft system is based on the inherent Invitation, Gift and Challenge in each card.

The Invitation of the Ace of Swords
You are invited to use your intellect and logic to deal with the situation at hand. It's time to start developing a plan and strategy for use in the future.

The Gift of the Ace of Swords
Is the Gift of clear thinking.  You have the capacity to cut through to the source of the problem and to perceive its solution. You can rise above the details and see the bigger picture.

The Challenge of the Ace of Swords
Be ruthlessly honest with yourself. This is the key to resolving the issue at hand. There is no room for self-indulgence, self-pity or excuses. You may be letting your heart rule your head, and that is the precisely wrong thing to do right now.

Description of the Suite of Swords
A left hand emerges from a cloud at the side of the card. The back of the hand faces you and the fingers and thumb are wrapped around the hilt. The sword points straight up into the air. Six yellow flames are around the base of the sword and a crown and victors wreaths are balanced on the tip.  The hand and cloud are white and gray. Below the hand are rocky, brown mountains with a blue glacier in the middle.

And remember from previous episodes, when you are faced with the Challenge, you pull another card for the Gift.  The Gift is the key to resolving the challenge.

You can find a link to the transcript of this episode in the show notes or go to my blog TarotCraft.com, that's t-a-r-o-t-c-r-a-f-t dot com dot au, and search for the Ace of Swords.

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Thank you for joining me on the TarotCraft podcast. This is Allison Jean and you can find my page on Facebook at TarotCraft, and you can also join the private group, TarotCraft Group.
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Transcription ends