The Vertical Sword: “Lighting Rod of Inspiration”
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I’ve been contemplating the notion that any single, vertical sword shown in a tarot card can act as a “lightning rod” that conducts focused inspiration directly into the subject of a reading. I’m indebted to Sallie Nichols for bringing this to my attention as it relates to the raised sword of Justice that visits the illuminating “fire of heaven” on the Devil as it tries to hide from scrutiny in the spot immediately below Justice in the 7×3 “trump tableau.” (All images are from the Albano-Waite Tarot, copyright of US Games Systems Inc, Stamford, CT.)
My own reflections involved the Ace of Swords, which I’ve been pondering as “a thought in search of an ideal to defend,” even if it is only the “holy grail” of absolute certainty in the correctness of one’s own position. The “lightning rod” analogy suits this assumption perfectly, since I also see it as the “light-bulb moment” and “bright idea” card. I’ve previously found it described as showing “a solitary venture in which no assistance is forthcoming;” the suggestion is that it has a “private hotline” or “straight shot” to a higher genius that needs no mundane endorsement or encouragement.
In my Tarot 101 training material I described it as follows:
“The Ace of Swords represents great presence of mind and ability to focus on the essential facts of a matter. When invoked, its operation is incisive and economical, mincing no words in expressing its opinion and, if civil discourse becomes dispute, its displeasure. It is always up for a debate or an argument, and will dig into what most people would consider “minute and tedious details” with relish. It is the card of the analyst, lawyer and forensic investigator since it is seldom distracted from its objective. It suggests an impulse to “bring the hammer down” when confronted with adversity. On the positive side, it is supremely rational and capable of precise, innovative thinking of the highest order.”
There are several cards in the Waite-Smith deck that display upright swords, but only three that meet the rigorous definition of “single and vertical” set forth above: the Ace of Swords,the Queen of Swords and Justice. All three suggest an uncompromising, single-minded outlook that refuses to be deflected from its goal.
The solitary swords of the King, Knight and Page of that suit are slightly canted, implying a certain amount of discretion on the part of the wielder; there is still an opportunity for the sword-hand to be stayed or realigned in its execution.
In his Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A.E. Waite observes that “Swords, generally, are not symbolic of beneficent forces in human affairs.” Where one sword may be discriminating and purposefully analytical, many can be hypercritical and even nitpicking. Penetrating intelligence can give way to nervous, high-strung lack of focus. While it might be tempting to think of a group of swords as representing a talent for “multi-tasking,” there is usually too much antagonistic “working-at-cross-purposes” to make this productive, and much energy can be wasted in trying to harness multiple swords to a single goal. A sword functions most effectively alone, where it can concentrate and not be distracted by competing priorities.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are the 9 and 10 of Swords. The former implies being struck with the “flat” of the nine blades, thus being bruised but not dismembered, only hounded and not transfixed, while the latter reminds me of “being pecked to death by chickens” of anxiety and indecision, thus becoming completely immobilized like a butterfly pinned to a display panel.
A number of the Swords minor cards suggest a “mental block: the 2 of Swords with its crossed blades is the “poster child,” and the 4, 6 and 8 of Swords have a similarly becalmed nature; interestingly, these are all passive, even-numbered cards that (at least visually) depict a static barrier to progress. The odd-numbered cards (3 , 5 and 7) imply a more conflicted or scattered state of mind, with swords that depart from plumb at different angles. There is no “single, vertical” sword in any of them to act as a lightning rod, but rather a multiplicity of channels that can deliver uneven stimuli and thus suggest unbalanced thinking.
There are cards that involve upright scepters or staves, but — compared to the piercing incisiveness of the swords — these are blunt instruments constrained by authoritarian formalities in the case of the Major Arcana, and the desire to discipline and goad but not necessarily maim or kill in the court cards and more active minor cards. For their part, the odd-numbered Wands (with the exception of the plodding Three) do not receive inspiration so much as generate it at the level of utilitarian volition; they are raised to strike a blow, and the immature leaves on the RWS staves make their motivation abundantly clear- the sap has begun to flow.
Both swords and staves are instruments of intervention, and their operating principle is “directed force of Will.” In modern terms, swords are represented by “bladed” tools like axes, carving knives, scissors, scalpels, etc, while staves are symbolized by all types of striking, prodding and prying implements (hammers, crowbars, levers, etc). Historically, Swords (or Spades) represented the military and Wands/Batons (or Clubs) stood for those who work with their hands — professional craftsmen and the agricultural classes. (Cups signified the clergy — who dispensed divine mercy and matrimonial blessing — and Pentacles [or Coins] described the merchants and other “money-men.”)
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on December 3, 2023.
