Illustrating the Suit of Swords

Swords

Jan 16

Element: Air

Represents: Realm of the mind & mental health

The next phase of my Tarot of These Times project is to create the Suit of Swords. These ten cards in the tarot represent the realm of the mind. The element associated with swords is air.

In this post, I share:

The challenges of illustrating mental health during a time of crisis in the nation (USA, where I live);
How I address the stigma around mental health and wellness as an artist; and
Some of the key themes I address in this section of my tarot deck.

Let’s cut in! ⚔️

Themes in the Suit of Swords

The swords are no joke. When swords appear in a tarot reading, it usually means we are wrestling with something in our own minds and it’s having a big impact on our quality of life.

Here are some of the themes I tackle while illustrating the suit of swords:

Decision/indecision
Mindfulness and rest
Mental anguish
Drama/Conflict
Deceit/Honesty
Taking/avoiding action
Non-attachment

Addressing the stigma of mental health

In 2026, mental health and wellness is less stigmatized than it was when I was growing up in the 1980’s and 90’s. Back then, the norm was to not talk about it. Like, at all. Now, it’s common for workplaces to offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), therapy is widely available, and most insurance plans cover mental health and wellness support.

That doesn’t mean that we are out of the woods, so to speak. In 2022, 59.3 million people in the United States suffered from a mental illness (23% of the US adult population). For young adults age 18-25, it’s worse: 36.2% of young adults in the US experienced mental illness that same year (source: National Institute of Health).

As an artist who has experienced mental illness in my life (depression and anxiety), I honor this experience I have in common with so many others by drawing on these experiences when I create my illustrations (pun intended).

A crossroads sign marked by two swords, painted with watercolor, marked Two of Swords. — *An early rendition of the Two of Swords I created while in art school at PNCA, 2021. Watercolor, micron pen, white ink.*

I hope you enjoy the suit of swords as much as I have enjoyed illustrating it. Be sure to sign up to receive notifications each time I release a new card design and when you can buy my Tarot of These Times deck.