Swords:

Swords:

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Two of Swords:

This card represents the Logos and the Intellect working in perfect harmony to transmit the Supernal influence and which creates the Magickal Childe. This creative manifestation results from the Ruach’s role as that which connects the Nephesh to the Supernal influence. So that finally, what was perceived as inspiration, now finds a definite function via the Ruach’s connection to Assiah and the inspiration manifested from the union between the intellect and Atziluth.

“It is subject to change as is no other suit. It represents a general shaking-up, resulting from the conflict of Fire and Water in their marriage; and proceeds, when Earth appears, to crystallizations.”

Three of Swords:

This card symbolizes the Ruach’s inability to properly express itself, the Swords are weighed down by the force of Binah and depression and distempers arise as a result. This card is another representation of the Dark Night of the Soul, although there is creativity, it is unable to be expressed, as the unconscious impulses and emotions are too overpowering. As a result, inspiration in Atziluth is corrupted, or at worse, the subject is paralyzed to express any of the higher characteristics associated with the suit of Swords.

“There is an intense lurking passion to create but their children are monsters. This may mean the supreme transcendence of the natural order. Secrecy is here, and perversion.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

Four of Swords:

The card represents the Ego having given up its aspiration to the limiting forces of the world around it. This limitation could be experienced as either comfortable or uncomfortable, perhaps the Will of a coward has been broken and he has forsaken himself for his need of security. The card presents us with the idea of authority having defeated the Will and there is no change in sight, routine and structure are characteristics of the card’s meaning. Therefore, for those who are willing to conform and subject themselves, for those unwilling or unable to fight for their sovereignty, this card is perfectly auspicious. However, the only way forward is through violence and war, thus the notion of “Truce”, is a most foreign idea to Thelema, or anyone aspiring towards progress.

“As always, the Four is the term; as in this case there is no true justification for repose, its disturbance by the Five holds no promise of advance; its static shams go pell-mell into the melting pot; the issue is mere mess, usually signalized by feotid stench, But it has to be done!”

Five of Swords:

This card symbolizes the martial tendency having been defeated, in the previous card complacency was the dominant factor. In this card the ability to adjust to circumstances that may lead the way toward progress has been overwhelmed. There is no desire for change, even when faced with its necessity, the subject lacks the ability to do so. The person represented in this card is incapable of learning from and incorporating his experiences into a new understanding of the world around him. He is an imbecile in an ever-growing world populated by intellects, who have the ability to adapt and overcome. Hence, he sits and waits for his chance to be included, however he lacks the competence for this realization to ever be brought to fruition.

“Geburah, as always, produces disruption; but as Venus here rules Aquarius, weakness rather than excess of strength seems the cause of the disaster. The intellect has been enfeebled by sentiment. The defeat is due to pacifism. Treachery may also be implied.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

Six of Swords:

The card is representative of one who has established perfect union and is free to do his Will unhampered by influence. It is Tiphareth in the suit of Swords, both of which are attributed to the same element, there is no conflict either from above or below. He is master of his own creation in every respect, all influences only serve to foster his momentum. Therefore, the card is symbolic of a state in which progress is nurtured and sustained by the Intellect. Although, successes as well as failures are inherent in the card as indicated by its name, “Science”, the subject maintains a steady climb towards higher ground, which is ever joyous, as indicated by the card’s position on the Tree of Life. As Tiphareth forms the link between Heaven and Earth, the card is symbolic of perfect equilibrium having been established between the two, wherefrom, the subject’s Will and the Universal Logos are working in perfect harmony. In other words: the Supernal influence and the Material influence upon the Ruach have been brought under control to become perfect reflections of each-other and expressed as Beauty. Although, this state of perfection is only maintained as long as the magician is able to keep adapting to external circumstances, but in light of the card it represents the subject in his or her element and a vantage point indicating success.

“The perfect balance of all mental and moral faculties, hardly won, and almost impossible to hold in an ever-changing world, declares the idea of Science in its fullest interpretation.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

Seven of Swords:

The Seven of Swords indicates the need for receptivity and awareness, any unwarranted self-expression within these types of circumstances may lead to failure. Hence it suggests that there is a need for passivity and agreeableness, this is not a lasting situation per say, however at the present time the subject is confined by his immediate environment. It presents one with the notion of fleeting circumstances wherein a certain level of compromise is demanded for the situation to result in an amiable end. This card is calling on the Ruach to maintain control of the emotions, especially with regards to confounded speech and action. Obviously, one’s inner and outer worlds being what they are, maintaining control may prove to be quite the task, as hinted at by the card. There is a way out of the situation, as the subject is at ease, which creates a willingness to subjugation on part of the subject. Although the situation is not permanent, sooner or later he will need to make a change. Whether the change is forced or willed is up to the subject of the reading.

“There is vacillation, a wish to compromise, a certain toleration. But, in certain circumstances, the results may be more disastrous than ever. This naturally depends upon the success of the policy. This is always in doubt as long as there exist violent, uncompromising forces which take it as a natural prey.”

Eight of Swords:

This card reflects the strong Mercurial influence of Hod, suggesting that circumstances are imposing and difficult to adjust to. These interferences are objective and demands adjustment for the subject to successfully pass through them. The inability to navigate the situation stems from thoughts and inclinations stirring under the surface. These unconscious feelings give way to indecision which results from the Ruach losing control over the Will and emotions, hence the aspiration is unrealized. One is seemingly jumping from one aim to another without finding a proper foundation for the Will and the aspiration to take hold.

“The number eight Hod, here signifies lack of persistence in matters of the intellect and of contest. Good fortune, however, attends even these weakened efforts, thanks to the influence of Jupiter in Gemini, ruling the Decan.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

 

Nine of Swords:

The card’s name is Cruelty and symbolizes the Shadow, which is here at its most imposing. The Shadow, as Jung called it, represents all our behaviors that are repressed so that the Nephesh may function properly. These impulses sometimes rise to the surface, perhaps an ill-fated relationship or ill-fated job prospects are examples of the types of things which could be the cause of such a stirring. The card suggests that these, what some might refer to as evil impulses, are overpowering the intellect. Thus, according to the subject’s inability to reign in the Shadow, the best advice is to change the stimulus, otherwise the situation will end in disaster.  

“The Swords no longer represent pure intellect so much as the automatic stirring of heartless passions. Consciousness has fallen into a realm of unenlightened reason. This is the world of the unconscious primitive instincts, of the psychopath, of the fanatic.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

Ten of Swords:

This card is the exact opposite of the Six of Swords, which was in perfect harmony with Heaven and Earth to materialize the Will in Assiah. But here we have an intellect that is incapable of establishing a clear congruences with the circumstances around it. As a result, self-imposed limitations resulting from a lack of understanding leads to an inability for the intellect to express itself productively in the world.  

“It shows the reason run mad, ramshackle riot of soulless mechanism; it represents the logic of lunatics and (for the most part) of philosophers. It is reason divorced from reality.”

Crowley, The Book of Thoth

“Love is the law, love under will.”