The Suit of Swords
Also known as Blades, this suit is associated with the element of Air, and with the intellect, as well as with strife and conflict.

Ace
(This card usually depicts a single sword, point up, against a blue and white sky. There is often a laurel wreath around the sword.)
The Ace of Swords represents the onset of new ideas, new ways of looking at things. This often results in conflict, as the old order is threatened.
Reversed, this card can indicate that one is submerging his or her views in an effort to conform, or to avoid rocking the boat.

Two
(This card usually depicts a blind-folded figure holding a pair of crossed swords.)
The Two of Swords is a card of tense balance. There is a refusal to face conflict, a deliberate blinding of oneself to problems, usually in the hopes that they will go away.
Reversed, this card can indicate problems brewing that the Querent may not be aware of on a conscious level. They still need to be faced and dealt with.

Three
(This card usually depicts a heart with three swords through it.)
The Three of Swords is a card of conflicts breaking out into the open, often resulting in a separation. Painful though this may be, it's necessary, like the breaking of an abcess so that a wound can heal. This card forces you to look at the conflict that was ignored in the Two of Swords.
Reversed, this card can indicate that, although some conflicts have erupted, the real issue has not been uncovered and is still festering, which will lead to further difficulties.

Four
(This card usually depicts a prone figure with three swords on the wall above him, and one on the dais he is laying on.)
The Four of Swords indicates that it is time to retreat and regroup. Step back from the battle for a moment, take time to center yourself, get your head on straight, and regather your strength to face the world.
Reversed, this card can indicate feelings of isolation.

Five
(This card usually depicts one person doing battle with four others.)
The Five of Swords indicates that you may have bitten off more than you can chew. It's time to swallow your pride, face your limits, and back off a bit, learning to live and act within your capabilities.
Reversed, this card can indicate that you are choosing to fight battles that you cannot win, or that are not worth the price.

Six
(This card usually depicts a boat with 6 swords in it. In some decks, there is a lone figure in the boat, and in others, there is a ghostly figure standing behind the person, poling the boat.)
The Six of Swords indicates a period of difficulty and anxiety. There is a need to look beneath the surface of the situation, to see what is truly driving it -- the insight thus gained will ease the situation.
Reversed, this card can indicate letting emotion rule your reactions to a problem, responding to the surface issue rather than attempting to understand the hidden aspects of the situation.

Seven
(This card usually depicts a solitary figure with an armload of swords, sneaking away from a building.)
The Seven of Swords indicates that it is time to use some seemingly underhanded tactics to gain your objectives, rather than a frontal assault. This may seem to lack integrity, but sometimes life demands it.
Reversed, this card can indicate needing to learn to speak up when necessary.

Eight
(This card usually depicts a figure, bound and blindfolded, fenced in by eight swords.)
The Eight of Swords can be called "Dilemma." There is a sense of being unable to act due to fear of consequences, of feeling trapped and unable to see a way out. This situation is usually self-created, due to avoiding making decisions or taking action in the past.
Reversed, this card can indicate either that you are still blinding yourself to the problem, or refusing to look for alternative solutions.

Nine
(This card usually depicts a lone figure with nine swords pointing down at them, or hanging in the background.)
The Nine of Swords indicates a feeling of anxiety and foreboding about the future, sometimes due to feelings of guilt about the past.
Reversed, this card can indicate that the querent is making mountains out of molehills -- either things aren't as bleak as they seem, or the Querent is worrying about the wrong things.

Ten
(This card usually depicts a figure lying face down, with ten swords protruding from his body.)
The Ten of Swords indicates a final ending to a difficult situation. This ending may not be what you wanted, and it may be painful, but at least it is over and you can start over with a fresh outlook and more experience.
Reversed, this card can indicate that the end is near, although it may drag on painfully until the Querent puts it out of its misery.

Court Cards
You may want to take a moment to read A Word About Court Cards

Page
(This card usually depicts a young person holding an upraised sword. Often there are storm clouds brewing in the background.)
The Page of Swords is a card of intellectual curiosity, independent thought, and diverging ideas, all of which can lead to conflict. It helps to think of this card as a young adolescent, beginning to form his or her own ideas of the world, most of which put him in conflict with the parent. On a more practical level, this card often indicates malicious gossip, or someone causing trouble for the Querent.
Reversed, this card can indicate trouble that is brewing. It may not have erupted yet, but someone does not have your best interests at heart -- be careful who you confide in.

Knight
(This card usually depicts an armored knight charging forward with sword in hand.)
The Knight of Swords is best described as "Chaos." This card heralds sudden change that breaks apart the ordinary patterns of life -- go with them and enjoy the trip. It often indicates a young person, intelligent and energetic, who drags you out of your rut and gets you moving in new directions. He can be somewhat exhausting, but is never dull. Whichever this card indicates in a reading, a person or a situation, the indication is the same...hang on, and ride the winds of change.
Reversed, this card can indicate trying to avoid change. "Resistance is useless" -- change is a part of life, so let yourself grow.

Queen
(This card usually depicts a woman holding a sword in one hand, while pouring water onto the ground from a pitcher with the other.)
The Queen of Swords can seem like an Ice Queen. She is idealistic, aloof, and intelligent. She is very much a perfectionist, and is equally demanding of herself as she is others. As symbolized by the pouring away of water, she is not comfortable with her emotions, which may make her seem cold. Primarily, however, all of this is armor against the fear of being hurt.
Reversed, this card can indicate someone who is a shrew. She may demand that others live up to her high expectations, but rarely pushes herself to meet them.

King
(This card usually depicts a man with a sword. There is often an eagle in the picture.)
The King of Swords is characterized by authority. He often has a great deal of authority in his professional life (which often involves law enforcement, the court system, or the military) and he carries this over into his personal life as well. He has a strong sense of fairness and of right and wrong, but can be somewhat unbending.
Reversed, this card can indicate someone who is a tyrant -- it is his way or no way. The Reversed King of Swords can also be abusive...mentally, emotionally, or physically.