Jeff's Journey 1111: A Knight in February

The Knight of Swords
Radiant RWS Tarot

Well, we’re into a new month and it’s that time. Time to check in with my New Year's Reading.

My card for February was the Knight of Swords. I have a love/hate relationship with Swords. It is the suit of the mind and covers thinking, reasoning, logic, truths, and communication. As we all know, the truth can be painful, just like a sharp, pointy sword. But, often we need to hear the truth in order to let go of what no longer serves us.

Or, conversely, we need to express our truths to others, no matter how painful it may be.

The knights of a tarot deck can be a bit tricky to read. They represent the age of an idealistic young adult; those who are setting off on their life journey after doing all their studying and learning as it relates to the theme of their suit. This age can either be a bit still tentative in their self-expression or don’t know their limits and be too forward as it relates back to their theme.

The Knight of Swords represents a young adult full of fresh perspectives, ideas and thoughts with grand desires to express them. This Knight also believes that their truths are correct after all the learning and studying this Knight has done. This Knight can have difficulty accepting others’ opinions as also true. The Knight of Swords is often too quick to speak, failing to take into consideration what effect their words might have on the listener; therefore often coming off as brash or rude.

All four knights in the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot deck are on horseback as all good knights usually are. Each horse is in a different pose suggesting speed. This Knight’s horse is at full gallop, suggesting this Knight moves quickly and directly to express their ideas; often, without consideration for the outcome or consequences. There’s that youthful exuberance. Or inexperience.

The Knight of Swords
Grimalkin Tarot, (c) 2020
MJ Cullinane

In the deck I used for this year’s reading, The Grimalkin Tarot, by MJ Cullinane, we see a cat leaping out of a tree after a bird. This cat is so focused on the bird that it has not taken into consideration what might happen to the horse once the cat lands on or near it.

In life we sometimes get so focused on what we are thinking or saying, we don’t take possible consequences into consideration. We can also get so caught up in our own thoughts and ideas that any other perspectives are seen as wrong.

I had an opportunity to teach my study group. Teaching is also part of the suit of Swords as it involves communication, ideas and learning. All of which are part of teaching. One person communicates their ideas for others to learn them.

I was teaching some exercises on using the Tarot to heal our Chakras. Our Chakras are energy centers in our body through which our life force energy flows. They can become blocked and therefore cause some emotional upset. There are a few different ideas and perspectives on them and how to heal them, so I knew I had to be cautious and just teach what I had learned and respect any other differing opinions.

In other words, I had to rein in my inner Knight of Swords.

In prior posts, I have discussed my issues with others' opinions regarding politics, the pandemic, what is safe and what isn't, as well as my personal approach to life; especially as I try to live for the greater good of all. Here is where my inner Knight of Swords would brandish his sword and try and drive his point home often without success as the others were operating in their own world and point of view.

All in all, I felt the class was a success and was grateful for the Knight to show up alerting me to the energy I’d be needing in February. Now to keep this energy going more often.

On to March and another Sword.

The Ace.