The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Knight of Swords & The Animal Totem Tarot -Knight of Swords

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The Traditional Tarot Knights are the princes of the nontraditional more modern esoteric Tarots such as the Thoth Tarot. Both the Thoth Tarot Princes and traditional Knights are the personified Elemental Forces, of those 4 elements that are brought into balance in Tiphareth- "The Mediating Intelligence" (Dr. Paul Foster Case of B.O.T.A.).

The Rider-Waite-Smith Knight of Swords card is exoterically remarkable. Here a medieval Knight is shown charging forward, sword raised to strike at an unknown assailant that is seen only by the Knight. The background of the Waite card is mostly sky, which suggests the element of Air. The trees in the wind, suggests that he charges forth "tilting at windmills" and/or only in his turbulent mind do his enemies exist.

The term "tilting at windmills" originates from Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote," published in 1605. In the novel, the protagonist, Don Quixote, a delusional nobleman who has read too many chivalric romances, sets out on a series of adventures to revive chivalry and knightly honor.

One of Don Quixote's most famous adventures involves mistaking windmills for giants and attempting to joust with them. Despite being warned by his pragmatic squire, Sancho Panza, that the "giants" are merely windmills, Don Quixote charges at them with his lance, believing he is engaging in a noble battle against formidable opponents.

The phrase "tilting at windmills" has since come to symbolize the act of fighting imaginary enemies or engaging in fruitless or idealistic endeavors. It is often used to describe someone who stubbornly pursues a cause or goal that is considered impractical or unrealistic, much like Don Quixote's futile attempt to fight windmills he perceives as giants.

The Animal Totem Tarot -Knight of Swords is a fast mover-known in Europe as a Rook; Rooks are found in Great Britan and Northern Europe; no habitats of rooks have been found in the USA. However, when this knight shows up you know you are in for some quick intelligent action. The Rook belongs to the same family as Crows and Ravens known as the covid family of birds. They are distinguished by having no feathers around their bill. As are crows and ravens they too are often seen around battlefields and are also intelligent tool users who build simple tools to gather food and build their nests.

The Sword on the ground represents the suit of this card and the element of Air and along with the shield puts this fellow on or near a battlefield. This is appropriate symbology as the Tarot Suite of Swords is known as the death suit. The castle rook of the popular chest game represents the name of the bird.

Like the rest of the corvid family of birds (crows, ravens, rooks) you will find rooks nesting in treetops in large groups, as they know there is safety in numbers and a rookery is easier to defend than a lone nest. Like the knight of swords, the rook is always on the lookout for danger.

Here is an overview of the Rook as a Totem, Spirit, or Power Animal, interwoven with Western Hermetic insights and a forward-thinking spiritual perspective. While rooks often receive less popular attention than ravens or crows, they share many of the same corvid traits—high intelligence, keen social awareness, and a knack for adaptation. Yet in esoteric wisdom, each bird has its own shade of symbolism. Here is how the Rook stands apart and what it might teach you on a deeper level:

1. Intelligence and Strategy

Core Meaning:
Rooks belong to the corvid family—renowned for complex problem-solving, tool use, and advanced social structures. Seeing a rook as a Totem Animal can encourage you to think strategically, sharpen your resourcefulness, and trust your intellect as a powerful tool for spiritual transformation.

Hermetic Perspective:
In the Western Hermetic tradition, intelligence and clear thinking are often associated with the sphere of Hod (splendor) on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Hod is linked to Mercury (the Roman messenger god, related to Hermes/Thoth in the Greek/Egyptian pantheon). Rook energy aligns with Mercurial powers of communication, logic, and cunning. Invoking the rook can sharpen your mind, aiding those who pursue esoteric studies and magical work requiring a blend of intellect and intuition.

2. Social Bonds and Community

Core Meaning:
Rooks are famously gregarious. They gather in large colonies, known as rookeries, often returning to the same communal nesting sites year after year. This suggests deep loyalty, unity, and tradition. As a Totem or Spirit Animal, the rook reminds you that while independence can be powerful, interdependence and collaboration also bring strength and stability.

Hermetic Perspective:
Esoterically, community aspects may correspond to Netzach (victory) (the sphere of interpersonal connection and emotional currents) working in harmony with Hod. Within Western Hermetic circles, we understand that knowledge and wisdom often propagate best through collective discussion or a shared ritual space. Rook teaches that alignment of mind (hod) with communal heart (netzach) can engender powerful group magic and cohesive spiritual growth.

3. Guardianship and Foresight

Core Meaning:
In British folklore especially, rooks watch over farmland and human dwellings. When rooks abandon a rookery, it’s often taken as an omen or a sign that something in the land has changed for the worse. Rook’s presence (or absence) has historically been seen as protective or foretelling.

Hermetic Perspective:
A rook’s guardianship qualities parallel the sentinel aspect of Binah (the ‘Great Mother’ in Qabalah) guarding the threshold between form and formlessness. Although the rook’s color associates it with the Saturnian current (dark, mysterious energies and the Nigredo stage in alchemy), it simultaneously acts as a watchful presence. Engaging with rook energy can help you cultivate “spiritual watchfulness,” a heightened intuition that warns of subtle energy shifts in your life or environment.

4. Adaptability and Hidden Wisdom

Core Meaning:
Rooks thrive in varied environments—farmland, towns, edges of forests—demonstrating adaptability. They often find unexpected ways to source food or make use of objects. This characteristic of making do with what’s available speaks to a spirit of creative innovation.

Hermetic Perspective:
In the alchemical process, the black stage (Nigredo) is both a time of deconstruction and the promise of rebirth. The rook’s black feathers hint at the willingness to journey into mystery. Rook energy is therefore beneficial for students of Hermeticism who must embrace uncertainty and enter the “dark” or unknown aspects of themselves in order to discover untapped wisdom. The bird’s adaptability offers the reassurance that one can traverse these unknown realms and return enriched, just as rooks adapt to changing landscapes without losing their social harmony.

5. Communication and Message-Bearing

Core Meaning:
Although rooks may not be as vocal with humans as parrots, they are exceptionally communicative with one another. Their varied calls and body language form a robust social language. For some who work with animal guides, rooks can appear in visions or synchronicities, suggesting communication or a “message from spirit.”

Hermetic Perspective:
The rook resonates with mercurial, messenger currents. In many Hermetic and magical practices, spirits, angels, or other astral beings communicate through signs or subtle riddles. Rooks can be the physical embodiment of that message-based energy, reminding you to listen carefully to the symbolic language of your environment. Rook’s appearance or call might highlight that it’s time to pay attention—to “read the omens” in your life.

6. Balancing Solitude and Gathering

Core Meaning:
Though extremely social, rooks also know when to break away from the flock. They forage alone or in small groups, then reconvene in larger gatherings. This natural dance between solitude and communal life teaches the importance of balanced living: times of introspection must be balanced with times of interaction.

Hermetic Perspective:
The Western Mysteries emphasize the idea of “As Above, So Below,” the interplay between your inner microcosm and the broader macrocosm. Rook’s pattern of solitary and collective action exemplifies that dance. In ritual or personal growth, there’s a period of solitary work (inner alchemy) followed by group work (outer expression). Calling on rook energy can help you integrate both, reminding you to retreat inward when necessary but also to rejoin your community to share your revelations.

7. Practical Ways to Work with Rook Energy

1. Meditation & Visualization

   • Visualize a rook perched on your shoulder when you study sacred texts or practice divination.
   • Let the bird’s keen eye and unwavering focus sharpen your mind.

2. Observation & Omens

   • Spend time outdoors watching rooks (if they live in your region). Tune in to their calls and interactions.
   • Be open to synchronicities when rooks appear in real life or in dreams.

3. Community Building

   • Emulate the rook’s social intelligence by strengthening your spiritual network. Create or join small discussion groups where knowledge is freely exchanged.
   • Perform group ceremonies or meditations to harness the synergy that communal energies provide.

4. Study & Communication

   • Since rooks correlate with Mercury and the sphere of Hod, incorporate the color orange (a hue sometimes linked to Hod) or planetary symbol of Mercury into your rituals.
   • Use “word magic,” writing, and speech-based spells to better articulate your intentions.

5. Shadow Work & Adaptation

   • Rook’s dark plumage can be a reminder to explore your own “dark side” or unconscious.
   • Practice journaling, dream work, or guided imagery to explore aspects of your psyche needing transformation.

Conclusion

The rook stands as a powerful, if underrated, corvid guide. As a Totem, Power, or Spirit Animal, it encapsulates intelligence, fellowship, guardianship, adaptability, and a healthy balance between solitude and community. Through a Western Hermetic lens, the rook can be linked to Mercurial influences, the protective boundaries of Binah and Saturn, and the alchemical Nigredo stage. Whether encouraging you to refine your mind, deepen your communal bonds, or delve into your shadows for hidden treasures, the rook symbolizes an ally adept in bridging worlds—earthly and spiritual, seen and unseen.

Embrace rook energy to forge a path of wisdom, awareness, and well-harmonized relationships, allowing both communal synergy and solitary insight to carry you forward in your esoteric and everyday journeys.

The knight of Swords is noted as being intelligent and impulsive while he is also being undiplomatic, idealistic, decisive, and focused. When he is on a mission he will take charge, whether you want him too or not. Best just step back and let him go! Therefore, if the Animal Totem Tarot Knight of Swords enters your arena, have him pause and consider whether his actions have any real purpose.

Western Hermetic Tarot assigns 21 degrees of Capricorn to 20 degrees of Aquarius to this Knight/Prince of Swords card.

Here is an overview of why—and how—the Thoth Tarot (by Aleister Crowley) assigns 21° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius to the Prince of Swords, which in many other Tarot systems corresponds to the “Knight of Swords.” Because Crowley and the Golden Dawn use a specific esoteric framework—interlinking Qabalah, astrology, and elemental theory—understanding this degree range sheds light on the Prince’s unique blend of energies.

1. Court-Card Renaming in the Thoth Deck

One point of confusion arises because Crowley’s Thoth deck renames and rearranges the court cards compared to the Rider–Waite or older Golden Dawn decks:

• Knights in Thoth = “Kings” in many other decks (the fiery, active aspect of the suit).
• Princes in Thoth = “Knights” in many other decks (the focal or ‘son’ aspect, seated in Tiphareth).

Hence, the Thoth “Prince of Swords” is what you might see as “Knight of Swords” in Rider–Waite–Smith or other Western Hermetic Tarot systems. Despite the different titles, the esoteric attributions remain consistent: this card rules a specific 30° slice of the zodiac—21° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius.

2. Why 21° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius?

Golden Dawn’s 30° Segments

Following the Golden Dawn approach, each of the 16 court cards typically governs a 30° arc of the zodiac. Within the suit of Swords (Air), one of those arcs stretches from the final decan of Capricorn (21°–30°) into the first two decans of Aquarius (0°–20°). Crowley retained this zodiac mapping but adjusted the card’s naming convention to fit his Thelemic/Qabalistic vision.

Astrological Rationale

1. Capricorn (21°–30°)

   • Ruled traditionally by Saturn. This late-decante energy is intense, strategic, and disciplined—like “steeled Earth.”
   • Symbolizes the tail end of a cardinal Earth sign, so it’s poised to shift into Air.

2. Aquarius (0°–20°)

   • Also co-ruled traditionally by Saturn (modern astrology adds Uranus).
   • Introduces the airy qualities of reason, invention, and an idealistic vision.
   • Moves away from purely material or structural concerns toward progressive, intellectual horizons.

Putting these two together, the Prince of Swords (Air of Air) is the link between grounded Saturnian discipline and rapid, innovative Saturn/Uranus intellect. Crowley’s key insight is that this card channels the old guard’s practicality (Capricorn) fused with the forward-thinking rebelliousness of Aquarius.

3. Qabalistic Context: Tiphareth and “Air of Air”

In the Thoth system (which draws heavily from Golden Dawn Qabalah):

• Each Prince (or “Knight” in some decks) represents Tiphareth, the heart/sun center on the Tree of Life. Tiphareth merges and harmonizes energies from above and below.
• Swords is the suit of Air—intellect, logic, communication.

Thus, the Prince of Swords is the “Air of Air” at the Tiphareth level: a strong mental force that attempts to unite reason with clarity and balance. Because Tiphareth sits in the middle of the Tree of Life, the Prince of Swords can manifest the dynamic interplay between structure and freedom, old forms and new ideas.

4. Symbolic and Practical Takeaways

1. Disciplined Yet Visionary Mindset

   • Capricorn’s final decan brings tenacity and structure;
   • Aquarius’s first two decans inject inventiveness and intellectual brilliance.

2. Saturn’s Dual Role

   • As the ancient ruler of both Capricorn and Aquarius, Saturn suggests mastery, karma, and boundaries.
   • This card can indicate mental tests (Saturn’s “lessons”) but also the power to reorganize or transcend old limitations (Aquarius’s progressive lean).

3. Intellectual Alchemy

   • Moving from an Earth sign (Capricorn) into an Air sign (Aquarius) hints at an alchemical shift from dense practicality (Nigredo) toward a more refined and liberated perspective (Albedo).
   • The Prince of Swords channels that transitional energy into incisive thought and decisive action.

4. Challenges

   • Can be overly sharp or critical if unbalanced (the “shadow” of Air).
   • May struggle with consistency: bridging earthy realism (Capricorn) and airy idealism (Aquarius) requires ongoing integration in Tiphareth.

5. Working with the Prince of Swords Energy

• Meditation & Pathworking:
  Visualize yourself at the cusp between two worlds: the earth-laden fortress of Capricorn opening into the broad skies of Aquarius. Envision the Prince of Swords as a guide who wields a sword of insight, cutting through entrenched obstacles to open new vistas.
• Ritual & Intention:
  • Invoke Saturn for discipline if your thoughts feel scattered.
  • Invoke Uranus for a breakthrough if you feel mentally boxed in.
  • Blend the two for balanced, inventive problem-solving.
• Shadow Integration:
  • Watch for cynicism, excessive criticism, or mental restlessness.
  • Ground your airy impulses in deliberate action (Capricorn’s persistence).

Conclusion

When the Thoth Tarot assigns 21° Capricorn to 20° Aquarius to the Prince of Swords, it highlights the synergy of methodical Earth energy (Capricorn) and revolutionary Air energy (Aquarius)—all under Saturn’s watchful eye, with a dash of Uranian spark. In Qabalistic terms, this Prince sits in Tiphareth, tasked with creating a balanced, incisive worldview that can cut through outdated limits. For those on a Hermetic or magical path, engaging with this card can foster a bridging of structure and innovation, guiding the mind to harness discipline in service of forward-looking intellectual breakthroughs.

As a person, The Knight of Swords personality is purely intellectual. Overflowing with ideas that tumble over each other in a mass unrelated to practical effort. This is a brain that won't quiet itself down long enough to focus well on any one thing. Intensely clever, admirably rational, with high degrees of thought, yet unstable of purpose.

There is in this Prince-Knight of mind, an indifference to their own thoughts, as any idea is worth exploring, but not for too long. By reducing every thought to ratiocination, this personality has removed all substance from thoughts, making them formal and fantastical, as they no longer relate to any facts; even those upon which the thoughts are individually based.

Thus, this person is completely free from settled principles and is capable of conceiving and putting out any conceivable argument without the clutter of remorse or regret. This is a mind so glib that it can forget the contrary argument it produced minutes before and go sallying forth with a new argument.

The Knight of Swords personalities often become faddists, cultists and devotees of drink, drugs, theologies, humanitarianism or music and religion, but without stability. There is a whiff of "tilting at windmills" here.

Also represented here, is a very charming and romantic idealist, who may depend too much on the opinions of others, causing a paradox, as they seem so certain they are right. S/he loves to fantasize about love, and seeks refuge from the coarse world of man, in this personality's subconscious mind are fantasies, storybook like thinking all his/her own making. Therefore, s/he will be an artist or poet (singer/bard etc.) and a delightful friend and companion, who sees beauty where others do not.

Therefore, this one is always looking for perfection and is extremely disappointed in others who do not measure up and lacks empathy. Being extremely intelligent, kind, and gentle makes this one extremely gullible and easily reached through emotions. Since they feel very deeply, they may be easily hurt, by their self or others in a very painful relationship. Hence, they will then withdraw from society and may even become seriously mentally ill. Their nature can become extraordinarily rich in fantasy like that of Don Quixote who went about "tilting at windmills".

In another mental- bent, the knight of swords personality may run from conflict and confrontation, is a pacifist at heart, and because their actions are reactions to another's action, their contributions can't be separated from the situations in which they may find themselves, and from the people of whom are associates.

In traditional Tarot, the Knights (Princes) of a suit represent dynamic energy, action, and movement. They are often seen as the embodiment of the quest or journey related to the qualities of their suit. Knights symbolize a younger, more active, and adventurous phase of life compared to the more mature and stable Kings. They can also indicate messages, quests, or efforts toward achieving goals.

Here’s what the Knights/Princes generally represent in each suit:

1. Knight of Wands (Fire): Energy, passion, action, adventure, and enthusiasm. This Knight represents boldness, spontaneity, and an eagerness to take on challenges, but can also signify impulsivity or recklessness.

2. Knight of Cups (Water): Emotional pursuit, romance, and creativity. This Knight is often seen as a dreamer or idealist, focused on matters of the heart and inner emotional fulfillment.

3. Knight of Swords (Air): Intellectual pursuits, communication, and assertiveness. The Knight of Swords represents swift action, mental clarity, and determination, but can also warn of being too aggressive or hasty in thoughts or decisions.

4. Knight of Pentacles (Earth): Hard work, responsibility, and persistence. This Knight represents methodical, steady progress and the practical side of life, such as career or financial matters. They are grounded but may lack spontaneity.

In summary, Knights are about action, progress, and the energetic pursuit of goals, with the particular qualities of their suit influencing the type of energy or focus involved.

When the Knight/Prince of Swords is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• The need to release creative and intuitive thought while cutting through any barrier to this release.
•  A tendency to think too fast so slowing down the thought process is advised if success is to be achieved.
• A young person, running from conflict and confrontation.
• Overreaction to the wants of others.

If the querent is able or has achieved the ability to focus their thought:

• They are committed to acting out their ideals and philosophy in their own lives; not really caring about how others do it, as they put incredible energy into supporting or examining beliefs.
• Ruthlessly brilliant, they can have good business judgment.
• There is a combative nature here, that is courageous, turbulent, and skilled in the war of wits.

If reversed, it implies:

• They often present a magnetic personality that is extravagant, careless, and excessive.
• The querent is showing the tendency to be overly rational, missing the subtle emotional points that would heed success in communication.
• Hastiness.
• Short sidedness.

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