There is something ironic going on with the Swords cards when looked at from a Nature-based perspective.

Connected to the element of Air, they represent the mind in everyday, metaphorical readings. For the most part, this is taken to be our thoughts, and (often, at least) the damage that an over-thinking mind can do.

However, from an ecotherapy perspective – and/or a Buddhist perspective – the element of Air helps us to let go of our thoughts through the power of mindful meditation or focus on the breath. The breath, this incredible bridge between the body and the mind, is a revolution to the busy mind, offering the clarity of air to focus on, bringing freedom to the mind where there was only clutter and chaos previously.

The Ace of Swords invites you to embrace the wise words of that greatest of sages, The Buddha:

“And how does a practitioner remain established in the observation of the body in the body?

She goes to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty room, sits down cross-legged in the lotus position, holds her body straight, and establishes mindfulness in front of her.

She breathes in, aware that she is breathing in.

She breathes out, aware that she is breathing out.

When she breathes in a long breath, she knows,

‘I am breathing in a long breath.’

When she breathes out a long breath, she knows,

‘I am breathing out a long breath.’

When she breathes in a short breath, she knows,

‘I am breathing in a short breath.’

When she breathes out a short breath, she knows,

‘I am breathing out a short breath.’

She uses the following practice:

‘Breathing in, I am aware of my whole body.

Breathing out, I am aware of my whole body.

Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I calm my body.’

Just as a skilled potter knows

when he makes a long turn on the wheel,

‘I am making a long turn,’

and knows when he makes a short turn,

‘I am making a short turn,’

so a practitioner, when she breathes in a long breath, knows,

‘I am breathing in a long breath,’

and when she breathes in a short breath, knows,

‘I am breathing in a short breath,’

when she breathes out a long breath, knows,

‘I am breathing out a long breath,’

and when she breathes out a short breath, knows,

‘I am breathing out a short breath.’

“She uses the following practice:

‘Breathing in, I am aware of my whole body.

Breathing out, I am aware of my whole body.

Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I calm my body.’*

I invite you to try this radically simple – yet by no means easy – practice. The suit of Swords offers many reflections on what is surely our greatest asset and often our greatest problem – the human mind. It also offers us the greatest solution available for a problematic mind – Air. The simple breath.

(*From the Plum Village translation of the Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness. )

That’s all for now, friends. Thank you for being here – and please check out my Tarot Therapy Sessions if you’d like us to work together. You can also sign up for the Tarot Blog newsletter (different to my main newsletter) below to receive email updates on every new post.

Smiles from Scotland,

Stephen