Up: [[Tarot]] Created: 2022-11-03 Updated: 2025-03-02 > [!leaf] In Brief > Ambitious, impassioned, intense thinker. Goal-oriented. Blunt action and solutions > [!leaf] What Matters This guy chases after knowledge, wants to know everything. He’s on an active quest for higher meaning, access to the universal mind. A couple of tarot writers compare him to Sir Galahad of King Arthur’s Round Table because both are *clean of heart*. This knight is an idealist, a fighter for social justice, heading for his north star. He’s all about intense driving towards the finish line, whatever that might be, with no time to slow down and enjoy either process or goal. The minute one goal is reached, he’s heading for the next goal post off in the distance. This knight is brilliant, often the smartest one in the room by far. He cuts through fuzzy thinking and comes up with brilliant ideas and insights. The problem is that he’s so intellectually fierce, he doesn’t have time for others to contribute their thoughts. He wants immediate action because he’s sure he can see the whole picture at a single glance. And he often can — but others might end up perceiving him as impulsive, callous, domineering, or argumentative. Eesh. > [!leaf] Actions to Take 1. Slow down! Stop whipping yourself from one achievement to the next. Write down all of your goals and desire, look at them carefully, compare them to your values, and really think about what you want. 2. Freewrite about your attraction to the thrill of the chase or your need for excitement. Is there something you’re afraid to face? Something you’re avoiding by keeping busy or moving on? — Idea from *Spiritual Tarot* 3. Chelsey Pippin Mizzi, author of *Tarot for Creativity*, suggests that this knight has “just do it!” energy. She suggests pulling a card to answer the question, “What single action can I take **now**?” Her focus is on creative life, but it could be anything you’ve been overthinking or avoiding. 4. Journal or freewrite in response to any of these questions: - What am I really committed to? What’s the evidence of that commitment? - What am I absolutely certain about? How does that certainty influence my decisions? - In what area of my life should I hold back or be a bit more cautious? Why? - And in what area of my life should I move forward rapidly and forcefully? Why? ![[Knight of Swords RWS.webp|300]] > [!leaf] Symbols Susannah Conway suggests that the quickest way to sort out the tarot Knights is to look at what his horse is doing. This horse looks stressed, and the mane looks like it is on fire. This is interpreted as the knight pushing himself too hard. Birds on knight’s overgarment and on the horse’s breast collar can symbolize an ability to turn adversity into opportunity (Holistic Tarot) but also flightiness! Butterflies are a classic representation of transformation. They are on the horse’s collar, and they reappear on the thrones of the [[King of Swords]] and [[Queen of Swords]] and also in the Queen’s crown. Trees in the background suggest that a strong wind is blowing against the knight but he charges against it, undaunted. (Holistic Tarot) The sword partly cut off by the frame suggests impetuous action. (Tarot Deciphered)