The Knight of Swords

Themes: Fast-thinking, speaking your mind, righteousness

Astrological Signs: Libra, Gemini, Aquarius

My Knight of Swords story

The imperfect defender we sometimes need

Over the years, I’ve had various stints as the Knight of Swords. As a teenager, my sarcasm knew no bounds; my dead pan, fast-thinking wit took both friends and enemies down. At the time, I didn’t know that it was a defense mechanism for the insecurity I was constantly feeling. It’s sad to think about now, but really, it served me in those awkward times. And for that, I am grateful.

I was the Knight of Swords in my 20s working at tech start-ups as a digital marketing MacGyver. Technical issues were quickly fixed with a series of bandaids to make it work; workarounds became one of my 5 star skills. Fast fix, then move on to the next one. In those early Tech days, that was the way it was done. If technology hadn’t caught up yet, you did what you can to get it done.

I was the Knight of Swords in my 30s when I finally stood up to my mother. After arriving at my apartment for a week-long stay without asking, she nitpicked on the uselessness of my dish rack, and I lost it. Thirty years of grief came out as spewing rage, as I laid out how her criticisms instilled in me constant unworthiness and negative self image. What resulted in the following years was a major healing in our relationship. My mother was finally able to see what she had done, and asked for forgiveness for the things she did or did not do as a mother. It was a turning point in our relationship.

I was the Knight of Swords in my 40s when I opened an Instagram account and began posting spiritual writings, musings and art. I was so afraid of sharing my work that I channeled my inner Knight of Swords to immediately post my creations without triple-checking for perfection — no overthinking, just do it. This practice helped me get over my fear, especially as I gained followers that validated my work, and I saw that it was safe to be seen.

Boundaries in training

The Knight of Swords can sometimes have a bad reputation, but we need them. They’re the fast-thinking, truth-speakers who defend what is right. For me, the Knight of Swords was at times a coping strategy — that person within me that defended me, before I knew how to do it with maturity. Even though I did it from a place of hurt or fear, I needed my inner Knight of Swords to be the stepping stone, before I could find my way to a more balanced approach.

The Knight of Swords is a necessary part in the evolution of the Swords / Air growth cycle, and she continues to be my defender at times when I need her. The Knight of Swords is certainly not perfect. But who is perfect, and where does perfect get us? Does it help us grow? Evolve? I don’t think so. I am grateful for all of the Knight of Swords within that carried me when I could not. Thank you, Knight of Swords.

Rider- Waite Smith Tarot

Knight of Swords

The meaning of the Knight of Swords

Charging quickly, the Knight of Swords has its sword raised as they ride their white horse into battle. In the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot, the trees, the clouds, everything is a bit fuzzy as the knight whooshes by. With a determined look, their fearlessness carries them forward to accomplish what needs to be done.

The Knight is a court card, which refers to a person (can be you, or someone else). Knights are adolescents, either in age or maturity, who are excitable, enthusiastic, determined and ambitious. The Knight of Swords uses that high energy for fast-thinking, and impulsive action. Highly intelligent, they use their smarts to quickly compute conclusions, and jump to move forward without much planning.

The Knight of Swords also have a sense of right and wrong and are defenders of ethics who will swoop in to defend what is right. Because they are highly intelligent, they think they must always have the right answer, and are unafraid to speak their mind. Because of their brashness, they can have a bad reputation. Their shadows can be seen as know-it-alls, self-righteous, and full of ego. This may be true, but we also need the Knight of Swords to lay down the law at times. Those who are fearless in speaking up, even if their communication style, tone or content, may at times come out sideways.

Sometimes, we gotta be The Knight of Swords

The Knight of Swords is a necessary part of the evolution within each of us, as well as the collective. As we mature, we may realize that learning to say things with more compassion may gain us more ears and that planning may provide a more stable outcome. But it doesn’t mean that The Knight of Swords isn’t relevant. For example, when I blew up at my mother in my 30s, she wouldn’t have heard me with a compassionate tone. The brashness was necessary to wake her up, so that she could hear me. There are times when the Knight of Swords is exactly who we need. But if I had stayed permanently as the Knight of Swords, I would only be transmitting my pain onto her without sympathy — a growth area for the perpetual Knight of Swords.

If you’ve pulled the Knight of Swords for yourself, you’re being invited to think-quick and act quick. It’s not about finding the perfect solution, but the one that is quickest without overthinking it too much. If there is something you’ve been meaning to communicate to someone, you’re being encouraged to speak your mind. Don’t worry about it coming out perfectly. What needs to be said, needs to be said — out of your mind, and into the air. However it happens, something will be gained and learned from your quick-minded action. Just do it!

Knight of Swords Quotes & Wisdom

“Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants.”

— Maggie Kuhn

“Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and mind your speech.”

— Brigette Bardot

“Over-thinking in your brain is anathema to the process of thinking on your feet.”

— Conan O’Brien

“Sometimes we do things, without thinking, that make no sense to us until much later, and yet appear to have been prompted by the most alert part of our being.”

— Julien Green

“Speak from your mind and people will hear you with their mind. Speak from your heart and people will hear you with their heart.”

— Marianne Williamson

Intuitively exploring the Knight of Swords for yourself

Use the following prompts to explore the card for yourself using any tarot deck

Describe the imagery in the card.
What elements stand out to you?
What do the elements mean to you?
How does the card make you feel?

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to intuitive exploration. The meanings above are an interpretation of the card, but I encourage you to explore the card for yourself.

A few written paragraphs is not going to apply to everyone, but simply a starting point. Get curious and explore the card for yourself.

Received the Knight of Swords?

Additional Journaling Prompts to Ask Yourself

What qualities of the Knight of Swords would be helpful for you to embody at this time?
What would not overthinking, look like for you in your situation?
Where in your life do you need to let go of perfectionism and ‘just do it’?
Is there something you need to say to someone? Write down what you’d like to say, so that you may be clearer on what needs to be said.

Tarot decks pictured in header: (left to right)
Modern Witch Tarot, Rider-Waite Smith Tarot, Tarot of Mystical Moments, The Housewives Tarot