I think of Alexander's sword when he cut the Gordian knot. A card to help slice through the crap. But there is also the sword of Damocles, a threat that weighs on us, hangs over us.
L'as des Epées can help focus the mind before an endeavour. Time to attack -the sword is ready. In sexual terms, it is the time of conquest, before consummation.
Famous single swords in legend and literature can help us with some of the interpretations of this extraordinary card:
- Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, the One sword to help victory; a "good" sword. A sword to accompany us in all our endeavours, a talisman (mental or actual).
- Durendal, Roland's sword - used against the Saracens, a symbol of bravery and virtue, in the face of impossible odds, it was saved from the infidels by divine intervention when Roland died. Facing up to a huge threat with courage. Spiritual aid in a time of need.
- Murgleis, the sword of Ganelon, cousin of Roland whom he betrayed out of jealousy. False idea, aggression, illusion of victory, unreasonable anger.
- Joyeuse, the sword of Charlemagne, which blinded enemies with its lustre; it protected its owner from poisoning. As d'Epées as a Protection.
- Naegling, one of the swords of Beowulf - with which he killed the dragon. Facing one's fears; applying a swift and courageous solution to a monstrous problem.
- Tizona and Colada, the swords of El Cid, who fought the Moors in Spain - El Cid took Tizona from King Baucar, and was buried with it. Aggressive strength to fight a perceived occupier; the end justifying the means.
- Curtana, Edward the Confessor's sword, a sword without a point, to render justice. As d'Epées as Justice's symbol - clear and down the line. Giving or receiving judgement. A symbol of law.
- the sword of virtue that Tristan and Iseult placed between them to fool King Marc. On one level their adulterous love was not sinful, because it was the result of a love philtre, and so completely overwhelming - that single sword is an innocent accomplice, laid to rest to protect love rather than fight. On another, that sword can blind (with too much intellect, or aggression), as much as reveal. It is a lying sword.