This knight stands on a green and relatively featureless plain, with red hills and a sunset in the background.  He wears blue pants, a red jerkin, and a brown cloak, a brown helmet with a crest, and carries a sword over one shoulder.  Although the authors use the Knights as the air aspect of their suit, this one carries many suggestions of fire – his skin is a dark reddish-brown, his red and brown clothing, the red hills and sunset, and there are reddish glints on his sword – also the border of the card is red.  In contrast the King of this suit has many airy qualities about him, and wears yellow and blue instead of red – it is almost as if the authors subconsciously transposed the elemental qualities of these two in this suit.  There is none of the sense of motion and whirlwind that often accompanies this card in other decks – this Knight has his feet firmly planted on the ground and appears to be standing still.  However, this is very typical of the court cards in this deck and actually all the human figures, which are generally posed or motionless.

A sense of motion appears in the descriptions of the Knights, even if it is not apparent on the card.  “The Knight of Swords bravely moves forward in pursuit of his ideals and dreams.  An arch-defender of truth, he is willing to risk and suffer all for the sake of honesty and righteousness.  He will cut through all excesses and unclarity.  He is willing to speak his ideas and opinions.  However, he must watch that he doesn’t do so at the expense of others.  Aggressive and brave in speaking his mind, he must take care that these traits do not change into willfulness, manipulation, and impatience.”  So far, a fairly traditional Knight of Swords, with a bit of fire thrown in.  The affirmation: “With strength and clarity, I move forward in pursuit of my dreams and visions.”

The herb associated with this card is Wild Cherry Bark, and its green leaves and red berries feature prominently on this card, adding to the sense of red/fire in the card.  Wild cherry bark is used to ease congestion of the lungs and respiratory ailments - the lungs have a clear association with the Air quality of Air.  The authors say that with spiritual use, wild cherry bark will clear the lung energies and open up the circulation of air, so that a person prone to rash and thoughtless words will remember to take a deep breath, center oneself, and think before speaking (a very useful prescription for Knight of Swords personality types).  For others, the herb may aid in allowing them to achieve clarity of thought and word, and provide the courage to speak their minds when needed.  The spiritual approach to using the herbs is normally achieved by placing a bit of the herb in a pouch and wearing it, although it could also be used in rituals when trying to invoke the energy of this Knight.  Medicinally, this herb also has gastrointestinal as well as respiratory uses, and the authors explain how to make a cold infusion and a sun tea (the active ingredient is destroyed by boiling).

Thrysse