Tag - what does the page of swords mean

Page of Swords

Page of Swords

Suit: Swords
Element: Air
Function: Intellect, the mind,truth, objectivity

A young man stands atop a rocky hill, the wind in his hair, with a sword in both hands, looking ahead with determination. Clouds rise up and swirl in the air, presumably due to the wind that moves the trees in the distance. There are mountains in far back, symbolizing stability. The trees symbolize wisdom. The rocky hill represents obstacles. There are birds in the sky, taking flight like so many thoughts that rise up from the youth’s head.

The young man wears red, the color of passion, and yellow, the color of intellect. He’s facing the wind, so his path isn’t an easy one, and he has his sword up, ready to fight. He’s ready to go, even though from his vantage point alone on the hill, the only thing that can get in his way is himself. It’s uncertain whether he fought his way up the hill, or if he’s fighting his way down from there, or if he’s now just defending his territory.

The Pages of minor arcana always begin things, and here, the Page of Sword is beginning the thought. This is the beginning of big ideas, the spark of inspiration, the first thought or idea that starts it all. And every thought starts in isolation in the mind before it becomes something else, something bigger.

This deals with the beginning of intellectual pursuits. One idea or thought can turn into an analysis, a critique, a theory, a method, or a groundbreaking discovery. It could be an investigation that uncovers or reveals something of great importance. Truth is always important to, and even if it hurts (and cuts like a sword) it will be revealed.

The Page of Swords is pure idealism, the clinging to the idea that something is right, even if it’s untested in reality. It can be the truth coming out pure and simple, without regard for social conventions or sacred cows, and it can be justice, or at least the concept of justice, and being fair. It takes courage to express truth and want justice knowing that whenever and wherever there is a need for truth, analysis and new ideas, there is always someone who doesn’t want those things and actively stops them.

When the Page of Swords is Reversed:

When the Page of Swords is reversed, the querent lacks strength of conviction and intellectual courage. They don’t feel that they match up to others…but they may be prone to putting themselves and others to the test, even if they can’t win. They feel inadequate, and they have something to prove, so instead of spending time sharpening their intellectual skills, learning, or following their intellectual curiosity, they try to prove their supremacy by challenging others. This is a querent who talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk.

Thus, this querent may be full of hot air. But they may the thorn in someone’s side, bringing up questions, thoughts, and ideas that disrupt the status quo and challenge the supremacy of those who would rather not think.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent begun an intellectual journey, or was an independent powerhouse of thoughts and ideas.

Present: Currently, the querent is pioneering new thoughts and ideas, far different from the ones from those around them.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to find the courage to think for themselves and blaze new intellectual trails.