A knight lies in effigy on a tomb in a church, hands joined in prayer, three swords above him and one beneath. It is rest, recovery and retreat: a pause needed after the struggle.
Rest and retreat, the stillness that restores.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Vigilance, retreat, solitude, the hermit's repose, exile.
Reversed
Reversed, the rest ends or is refused: restlessness, burnout, returning to the fight too soon.
Restlessness, recovery cut short.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Wise administration, circumspection, economy, precaution, a testament.
In love
Upright A pause in the relationship; time apart to recover.
Reversed Returning to the relationship before healing.
In work
Upright A break, a vacation, recovery after a hard period.
Reversed Burnout; you cannot rest any longer.
In money
Upright Pause financial decisions; consolidate.
Reversed Financial worries that do not let you rest.
At home and in the family
Upright A quiet home where you recover.
Reversed Restlessness at home.
On your path
Upright Meditation, retreat, prayer.
Reversed You must stop and rest your spirit.
Its counsel
Upright Rest. Recovery is part of the battle.
Reversed Do not return to the fight before you heal.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Minor Arcana, suit of Swords
- Element
- Air
- Rank
- Fours: stability, foundations and rest
Dreams that carry this card
Swords
Ace of Swords · Two of Swords · Three of Swords · Five of Swords · Six of Swords · Seven of Swords · Eight of Swords · Nine of Swords · Ten of Swords · Page of Swords · Knight of Swords · Queen of Swords · King of Swords