Knight of Swords
Swords
How This Card Is Derived
Papus gives no separate description of this card. It is derived from his system: Swords is Vau (ו), the equilibrating principle, the link between the two, acting in Yetzirah, the formative world; the Knight is Vau, the equilibrating term embodied — it carries, transmits, moves between. The meaning below is that combination read out, not a quotation from him.
Upright
The equilibrating term as a person, in the suit where equilibrium is conflict: force in transit. The Knight of Swords is the charge — the argument taken directly to its object at speed, with no provision made for what happens on arrival. Papus's Vau connects, and this Knight connects by collision. Nothing about the card is dishonest; it is simply the fastest and least reversible thing in the suit.
Reversed
The charge misdirected, or launched at the wrong target with undiminished commitment. Or force perpetually about to be applied — the horse held, which in this card is its own kind of damage.
Correspondences
- Suit
- Swords — Vau (ו), Yetzirah, the formative world
- Suit principle
- the equilibrating principle, the link between the two
- Rank
- Knight — Vau
- Rank role
- the equilibrating term embodied — it carries, transmits, moves between
In a Spread
At the commencement, the matter begins with someone acting fast and directly. In opposition, an opponent who will not slow down and cannot be flanked. At equilibrium nothing stays balanced for long — the Knight is a temporary state. As the result: the matter is settled by direct force, quickly; read the next card for the cost.