How to Master the Tarot Suit of Swords

The best way to memorize the meanings of Tarot cards is to interact with them. This is especially important with the minor arcana cards as they're not as distinctive as the major arcana. It helps to study the suits separately so you concentrate on a mini-system of meanings. Once you master each suit, you can integrate them into the entire Tarot system of meanings.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Tarot deck
• Poster board
• Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pen

1. Create a self-test for the swords suit before you begin studying individual card meanings. Ask questions about the images and meanings of each card. The final section of your self-test should be a Tarot reading involving all the cards in the suit.
2. Learn the overall nature of the suit. Swords correspond to the element of air, which governs the mind. The suit also warns of problems or challenges, so concentrate on formulating the meanings in a gentle way for future clients.
3. Make a collage to help you learn the meanings of each card. Collect pictures from magazines that express the messages of each card. Then write keywords for the card meanings on the back of each collage to test yourself later.
4. Memorize the court cards first. The page and knight symbolize a youth in the client's life who may cause concern. The queen and king, on the other hand, signal older people who give firm but wise advice.
5. Understand that the ace has the greatest energy of the suit. In the swords cards, it symbolizes triumph through force. Depending on the surrounding cards, it could be read negatively as manipulation or positively as perseverance.
6. Study the images on the number cards if your Tarot deck has them, such as Rider-Waite or Thoth. The Three of Swords, for example, shows a red heart with three swords piercing it, making it easy to associate with heartbreak, separation and disappointment.
7. Take your self-test once you feel you know the meanings by heart. When giving the Tarot reading involving the entire swords suit, record yourself so you can review it later for mistakes.

Tips & Warnings

• The Swords suit Tarot reading for your self-test might look something like this: 2 cards to define the problem and 4 cards each for past, present and future.