Two of Swords

Two swords cross through a blue five-petalled rose; the sky is calm and small pinwheels of energy turn in the corners.

Chokmah, Wisdom, in Yetzirah, the world of formation. Wisdom, the Supernal Father, the first movement out of the point: a line, a direction, the Yod of the Name. The Twos are Chokmah in each of the four worlds, the element at its purest and most dynamic, and the Knights belong here as the fiery fathers of their suits.

Chokmah in the world of Air: the element at its purest, mind as pure duality held in balance. The Moon in the first decan of Libra gives the scales their reflective calm.

The Moon in the first decan of Libra (0°–10°, about Sep 23–Oct 2). The Moon is reflection, tides, the fluctuating soul, memory and instinct. On the Tree it is Yesod, the Foundation; among the trumps it is the Priestess, who veils the light rather than shining it.

Libra is cardinal Air: the scales at the autumn equinox, balance, partnership, judgement. Venus rules it and Saturn is exalted here. Its trump is Adjustment. The trump of Libra is Adjustment.

This decan is ruled by the Queen of Swords, whose arc runs from 21° Virgo to 20° Libra. The two Shem angels of the decan are Aniel and Haamiah.

The Line: the first extension, direction, the reflecting Other. Chokmah, Wisdom. The Twos show each element at its purest and most dynamic; the Priestess is trump II.

Thinking as balance: two positions seen at once, judgement suspended. The Swords are usually read as the thinking function in Jung's typology, an interpretive convention rather than a text of Jung's.

Rider-Waite calls the suit Swords. Its small cards carry scenes; the Thoth small cards carry the suit emblems arranged geometrically, with the keyword printed at the bottom and the colours of their Sephirah and decan. The Golden Dawn title (Lord of Peace Restored) is shared by both traditions.

The Moon at its best gives nurturing, empathy, intuition, emotional intelligence, belonging. At its worst: moodiness, clinging to the past, emotional reactivity, dependency, smothering.

Libra (“I balance”) brings fairness, charm, harmony, aesthetic sense, cooperation, diplomacy. Its shadow is indecision, people-pleasing, superficial niceness, conflict avoidance, codependence.

Together: Moon has no essential dignity or debility in Libra. Dignity explains part of the title and the Sephirah explains the rest: a planet at home in its sign can still sit in a hard sphere, and a weak planet can be carried by a strong one.

The Sun crosses this decan around Sep 23–Oct 2, so it is the decan card of anyone born then; their court card is the Queen of Swords. Find a birthday.