Knight of Swords: modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
‘The Knight of Swords’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Upright Knight of Swords Meanings
Keywords
Ambition, Action, Speed, Directness, Impulsiveness, Intellectual Force
Generally
The Knight of Swords is a young, masculine figure with a quick-thinking and decisive temperament. Whoever he is, the subject of this card embodies ambition, drive, and a desire to cut through confusion and get straight to the point. His energy is swift, direct, and sometimes impulsive, often prioritizing logic and truth over diplomacy and emotion.
In a Love Context
In a love reading, the Knight of Swords card can represent a whirlwind romance or a partner who is intellectually sharp, witty, and direct. However, this person may also be emotionally detached, argumentative, or quick to rush into and out of relationships. The energy is exciting but can lack emotional depth or stability. As an event, this can also signify a period in a relationship where blunt truths are spoken and conflicts are addressed head-on.
In a Money/Career Context
This card signifies a period of intense ambition and rapid progress in your career. You are charging ahead with projects, cutting through red tape, and using your intellect to overcome challenges. It can represent a fast-paced work environment or the need to make quick, decisive choices. While this energy leads to results, it can also lead to burnout or conflicts with colleagues if you are too blunt or impulsive.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, the Knight of Swords represents a time of intense intellectual questioning. You are cutting through old beliefs with the sharp sword of logic and truth. You are eager to learn and debate ideas, but may risk becoming dogmatic or dismissing spiritual paths as your intellect is not yet matured into the King of Swords.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Be direct and assertive. Cut to the heart of the matter and take swift action on your ideas. Do not hesitate. Use quick, decisive judgement. Discern immediately.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A period of rapid change and decisive action. A goal will be achieved quickly, though perhaps with some conflict along the way.
As Obstacles
Impulsiveness, recklessness, and a lack of planning are your main obstacles. You are moving too fast without considering the consequences.
As Hidden Energy
A powerful, unacknowledged ambition is driving the situation. There is a deep desire to charge forward and make things happen.
As Resources/Alliances
Your own sharp intellect and ability to act decisively. A peer, colleague, partner or youth who is direct, logical, and action-oriented.
‘The Knight of Swords’ Reversed
Keywords
Recklessness, Aggression, Burnout, Unfocused, Haste, Bullying
Generally
Reversed, the Knight of Swords' energy becomes scattered, destructive, and reckless. The charge forward lacks direction, leading to mistakes, missed details, and chaos. This card warns against acting with haste and aggression. It can signify burnout from moving too fast for too long, or behavior that is argumentative, bullying, or overly opinionated. The sword of truth becomes a weapon used to hurt rather than to clarify.
In a Love Context
In a love reading, this card reversed points to a relationship filled with sharp, hurtful arguments and intellectual bullying. It can represent a partner who is aggressive, controlling, and verbally abusive. The energy is one of constant conflict and a lack of emotional consideration, leading to a toxic and unstable connection.
In a Money/Career Context
This card warns of making reckless career decisions or acting with aggressive haste. It can signify failed projects due to poor planning, burnout from an unsustainable pace, or creating a hostile work environment through bullying and aggressive communication. Your actions may be creating more problems than they solve.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, this card reversed represents using intellect as a weapon. It signifies being dogmatic, argumentative, and intolerant of other people's beliefs. Your pursuit of "truth" has become a crusade that alienates others and closes your own mind to different perspectives.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Slow down and think before you act. Consider the emotional impact of your words and actions. Reign in your aggressive impulses.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
Chaos, conflict, and failure due to reckless action. A project will crash and burn.
As Obstacles
Aggression, haste, and a lack of forethought are the primary hindrances. You are your own worst enemy.
As Hidden Energy
A deep-seated frustration is leading to destructive and aggressive outbursts. A secret fear of failure is causing you to act recklessly.
As Resources/Alliances
The realization that your current approach is not working. The motivation that comes from hitting a wall to finally slow down and re-evaluate.
Additional Notes on The RWS ‘Knight of Swords’
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Knight of Swords
"Skill, bravery, capacity, defence, address, enmity, wrath, war, destruction, opposition, resistance; also ruin. Reversed: Imprudence, incapacity, extravagance." (The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911)
RWS Knight of Swords Symbolism
A.E. Waite’s Knight of Swords depicts a knight in full armor charging forward on a powerful white horse, symbolizing the purity of intellectual energy. He holds his sword high and ready for action. The sky behind him is filled with stormy clouds and the trees are bent by a fierce wind, all of which underscore the speed, force, and chaotic power of his forward momentum. The entire scene is an allegory for a mind moving at full speed, focused on a single objective without regard for the turbulence it creates.
Meditations On The Knight of Swords
Where in my life am I charging ahead, and have I considered the consequences?
Is my communication direct and clear, or is it aggressive and hurtful?
Am I driven by focused ambition or by restless, unfocused energy?
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