The Challenge of Drawing Swords, Literally.

Swords

May 21

The creative process behind my indie tarot deck, Tarot of These Times

An illustration of a sword, hand drawn in black linework. It floats on a hot pink and purple background. The text reads "Molly Chidsey Illustration & Design." — The Suit of Swords

**Element**: Air
**Represents**: The realm of the mind and our mental health.

Since January, I have been drawing swords, literally and figuratively, it seems.

I began the year with fresh enthusiasm for my tarot deck illustration project, Tarot of These Times. I illustrated several of my designs for the suit of swords, and felt great about how my creative process was working to implement the designs I had dreamed in my mind’s eye.

Then, life intervened. I had to pause this project several times to direct my attention to other areas of my life. I made it through the winter and spring seasons with my mental health intact, thankfully.

Isn’t that what the suit of swords is all about, really? These ten cards in the tarot represent the realm of the mind. My approach to creating fresh, new illustrations for the suit of swords is to center the challenges of mental health during times of crisis.

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
Mental anguish
Drama/Conflict
Taking/avoiding action

Navigating Swords

Some of the swords I have faced while illustrating this suit have been positive:

I launched live art experiences for in-person events, and learned how to draw a watercolor portrait in 5 minutes!
I taught five in-person art workshops, and have three more planned for June 2026;
Landed my first book illustration project with a client who wrote a book for her grandchildren; and
I also launched my Creatively Plan coaching program, and am now working with clients 1:1.

Some of the swords I navigated felt negative, and drew energy away from me:

Entering my fifth year in perimenopause, I started having hot flashes daily and most nights too.
My mom was in the hospital for several days, and while she has made a full recovery, this consumed my mind and my heart for a while.

What’s next?

I wrap up the swords with the 10 of Swords, a card about shedding our old skin, so to speak. Then, I will take a break and resume drawing the deck with either the suit of pentacles or the suit of wands. Which do you want to see next? Drop me a line at the contact button below to vote.

VOTE: Should I draw Wands or Pentacles next?

Until next time,

Molly 👩🏻‍🎤