The Knight of Swords T. Antoni Grabiec "The Knight of Swords is the Universal Archetype and Worldly principle of having mastery over Passionate Thinking and Intentionality. This is the state of mind, heart and body when you know that you have full control over your life and where it heads. You need the beauty of passion and inspiration. Then you can make your intentions known to the Universe. Remember that what you think, you then create. Your thoughts form the world around you. Bring balance, temper your Spirit, become a Warrior !" THE WORLDLY PRINCIPLE AND UNIVERSAL ARCHETYPE OF MASTERING PASSIONATE THINKING AND INTENTIONALITY “The Knight is like a super charged rocket, moving swiftly through the air, nothing can stand or fly in his way. He is fully equipped to tackle any eventuality; move forward with all the passion and reason you have in your being.” - T. Grabiec The Knight of Swords in the sacred divine Tarot symbolizes the Universal Principle and Worldly Archetype of Passionate Thinking and Intentionality. The Knight of Swords is a visual portraiture of a Knight in the air flying over water. In alchemy, the element of air is associated with the mind, and water is associated with emotion. Combining the elements of water and air, metaphorically, is a symbol for passionate thinking. Here we have a picture of the focused, intentional, determined mind. 2 The three swallows represent the union of heart, mind and action all proceeding in the same direction. They serve as important reminders that one’s focus, will, and intention must be aligned and moving in the same direction before a goal can be obtained. “The Knight holds a dagger and a sword; each a symbol for the receptive and dynamic thinking required to execute a goal. In Oriental terms, the dagger would be a metaphor for yin (feminine) energy and the sword would be a symbol for yang (masculine) energy. The yin/yang symbol in Oriental philosophy is associated with the two energies that are required to create balance and unity.” - Angeles Arrien (The Tarot Handbook) Etched within the four wings attached to the Knight’s helmet are the words north, south, east and west. Each direction is a symbol for the four levels of consciousness: mental, emotional, spiritual and physical, which are combined as a picture for unified consciousness. At the centre of the four wings is a six pointed star, a universal symbol associated with illumination, clarity and spiritual guidance. The Knight of Swords is associated with the air sign months of Aquarius, Libra, and Gemini, or with air sign people. Since this is a Knight, this could represent an older man or older mastery of passionate thinking and mental determination. 3 “Powerful fluid thinking is represented by the Knight’s gold armour. Gold, in alchemy, was associated with malleability, fluidity, and spiritual radiance. The horse, pictured with all of the Knights, is a symbol of power and intuitive understanding. Horses, cross-culturally, are associated with intense desires and instincts.” - Angeles Arrien (The Tarot Handbook) During the air sign months of Aquarius (January 21st - February 21st), Gemini (May 21st – June 21st) and Libra (September 21st – October 21st), would be a great time to move in new directions with clarity of purpose and strong will. This is the state of mind that contains no doubt. The Knight of Swords could be an air sign person or older man who is an Aquarius, Gemini or Libra. This person could be an outer mirror of your own focus, will and determination to move in new directions with undaunted clarity. Or, in the air sign months, an older man could provide new opportunities that could take you in new directions, personally and professionally, in the air sign months of Aquarius, Gemini or Libra. “The air sign months would be a good time to set things in motion, especially if there is clarity of purpose within all parts of your nature. The heart or emotional nature (water) supports the ideas, clarity and direction of the mind (air).” - Angeles Arrien (The Tarot Handbook) 4 For women, the Knight of Swords may also represent an aspect of their animus, the internal masculine or dynamic energy that is expressing itself with relentless determination, focus and will. In the brilliance of The Animals Divine Tarot by Lisa Hunt, the symbol which represents the Knight of Swords so perfectly is Kutkinnaku from the Siberian mythos. Aspects that shine within this archetype are challenges, conflict and possible opposition. The raven symbolizes a darker aspect of our being. It is wise and shrewd and could be invaluable when facing our innermost conflicts. The icicles represent change and metamorphosis. The snow offers quietude during a time of disillusionment. Its properties can serve as a means of insulating the earth and providing a sanctuary amid chaos. The tree roots connect us with the underworld as well as the aboveworld. The flowing cape is energetic. Despite the hibernating tendencies of the winter season, our spirits can still ignite warm and inspiring ideas. 5 “The Koryak people of Eastern Siberia believed in a big raven spirit named Kutkinnaku. Kutkinnaku was sent by the Supreme Being to help humans conduct daily affairs. Kutkinnaku aided in hunting, fishing, and was a participant in various rituals such as spiritual ceremonies. He also taught the Koryak how to utilize fire as a means of warding off evil spirits. Kutkinnaku had the ability to transform from human form into raven form and was once sent by the Supreme Being up to the sky to help stop unrelenting rains. To the Koryak people, all natural phenomena were personified and were thought to be inhabited by souls. The stars, moon, and other elements of the cosmos were anthropomorphized. The Koryak reverence for all living things was echoed in their ceremonial rituals. Animal skins were often donned as a means of being transformed into the animal and shamans often recited the name of Big Raven during shamanistic rituals. Kutkinnaku’s participation in human affairs is a reminder that we should remain proactive and socially involved. If we witness or are victim to injustice, it is important that we do not turn an apathetic eye to events that could have far-reaching implications. We may have to fight and exert effort to preserve what is right, but the conflicts that arise in life are unavoidable. Instead of rejecting the challenges that may be presented to us, it is important to face them with competence, rationalism, and dignity.” - Lisa Hunt (Animals Divine Tarot) 6 Within the elegant Shadowscapes Companion by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, the Knight of Swords is the brave hero who rushes headlong into conflict to defend his beliefs. He is blunt and comes directly to his point. Dissembling is not something he is capable of. This can be seen as a refreshing honesty and true loyalty or a lack of tact and discretion. He does not let emotion come between him and his purpose. Emotion in his matters is extraneous, muddying what is obvious, allowing room for doubt or fear. An emotionless knight is fearless, invincible, and does not acknowledge the possibility of defeat. He does not back down once he has engaged, for he knows no other option but Victory. This Knight is a domineering personality. He rides upon the King of the birds, and together they are like a spear through the heavens. He is a seeker, slicing through the skies with his sword and his wings. A storm gathers in his wake, born of the turbulence his winged army creates, and he is lifted high above it all to pierce through the chaos. The sword is a beacon to his followers. 7 “He calls out to the night’s abyss: Lift me up, spirits of sky. Grant me keen sight of Hawk, Swiftness of Sparrow. Grant me insight of Raven, Brave heartbeat of Hummingbird. Bear me up with grace on wings of Swan, Guide me with visions of wisdom from Owl.” The Peacock of Karttikeya is the being who represents the Knight of Swords in the gorgeous Fantastical Creatures Tarot, illustrated by Lisa Hunt and written by D.J. Conway. One of the Hindu gods of war, Karttikeya is usually portrayed with six heads and six pairs of arms and legs. His only interests are fighting, war, revenge, and dark magick. Karttikeya rides about the world on an enormous peacock named Paravani. 8 The symbolic bird is also associated with the god Krishna, who wears peacock feathers in his hair, and Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge and the arts. “The peacock is connected with sun deities and its feathers are thought to bring good luck. The pool of water on the card represents the complete gamut of human emotions from love to hatred. When making a decision, one should cautiously pause, as does the peacock Paravani, in order to carefully evaluate the emotional situation.” - D.J. Conway (Fantastical Creatures Tarot) It is important in situations to think quickly and clearly in order to make timely decisions, but avoid making mistakes by misinterpreting information. Your forceful ideas may annoy others, so utmost care and attention is required. This card can be used when faced with strong opposition, bringing the disagreement out into the open to be resolved. 9 In the marvellous Haindl Tarot by Herman Haindl, the Knight of Swords is symbolized by Osiris, the Son of Swords. Osiris is a peaceful ruler; his crook and flail indicate his power derives from his role as teacher of agriculture. He is clothed in white, as the first mummy and the lord of the afterworld.