Page of Swords

I am continuing to compare the court cards, specifically the Pages, to the Myers-Briggs types. In this post, I will consider whether the Page of Swords is truly aligned with the ISTJ personality.

Robin Wood Tarot

Pages are a link between the Major Arcana and the Minor. They are portrayed as recipients of the divine gifts represented by the ace their suit. The Page of Swords already has a firm grasp of these gifts, intellect and communication.

In the Robin Wood deck, the Page of Swords runs into the wind, moving forward gracefully, almost soaring over the ground. Her shadow falls behind her, indicating that she is looking into the sun. She holds her sword aloft in both hands, as if to deliver it rather than wield it. Her long hair, loosely bound with yellow ribbons and white feathers, flows behind her. Her tunic is like that of the goddess Artemis, short enough not to impede her movements. The tunic is light blue with white clouds near the hem and yellow strip above the elbows. She wears blue slippers that reach to her ankles; their white cuffs suggest the wings of the god Mercury. Wind bends the grass beneath her, a slight smile dimples her cheek, and a telescope hangs from her white belt.

Traditionally, pages represent messengers. The wings of Mercury at her ankles and the way she carries the sword, as if delivering it to someone, reflect that interpretation. This page may also represent a spy; scouting out the land with her telescope.

The telescope hanging from her white belt may also indicate her vision, the ability to see great distances, into the future, or into the truth of a matter. Since, at the moment she is running into the sun her vision is hampered. Of all the pages, she seems most in need of a mentor. The right guide will recognize her gift of vision and help her develop it for positive ends.

Swords symbolize communication. Quite often the Page of Swords indicates someone who uses words to wound. Words can be a tool for good and they can be a weapon in a just cause, but this young Fool may enjoy using words to hurt others; his or her intellect is engaged in observing which words cut most deeply and where people are most vulnerable. The Page of Swords, as a spy, may also engage in spreading disinformation.

There may be unacknowledged anger in this figure. The Page of Swords does not have the emotional awareness of Cups or the grounding of Pentacles. A mentor could be an example to her that truly intelligent people are kind; their hearts and minds work together.

In this case, the communication aspect of the suit may suggest that this Page is "full of hot air." This adolescent is posing, trying on a persona. Despite the movement so clearly depicted in the image, I have the impressions that this figure is posing and I wonder how long she can maintain that pose.

In addition to intellect and communication, Swords can also represent idealism and justice. Will this page grow into the knight in shining armor represented by the Knight of Swords? This very bright page needs a guide and mentor to help her consider her thoughts and beliefs and to develop her potential into intellectual honesty and clarity.

Swords also symbolize clarity of thought. Robin Wood writes, “The sky all around is full of clouds, except for the area around the sword. This shows that the knowledge gained is clearing up the clouds of confusion, misdirection, and uncertainty… all the secrets are being revealed.”

The day is blustery, with clouds scudding across the sky and the dry grasses bending in the wind. This card may indicate a rush of mental activity without concrete achievement. The Page of Swords is reckless and impatient. Robin Wood’s title for this card has always stuck in my head: “Don’t run with scissors!” So this card may advise caution. Don't rush into action without learning more about the situation.

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

Although movement is vividly depicted in this card, I often find myself asking the figure, “How long can you hold this pose?” Pages are immature; they are an archetype of adolescence. Teenagers often try on different personas. This figure seems competent and full of confidence, but does this reflect reality? Real confidence comes from experience and, as yet, this young person has none. She doesn't have enough training or experience to use the sword responsibly, she hasn’t considered what causes are worth fighting for, she isn't aware of how much more she has to learn. She has chosen a persona before she knows who she is. She needs the intuition of the Wands and the self-reflection of the Cups. This page has selected a persona without first understanding who she really is.

I find it helpful to keep certain images from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck in mind when I read. In that deck, the image of the Page of Swords shows someone whose fears have grown into unnatural proportions and who is constantly looking over his shoulder. This card often appears for people who suffer from PTSD or other anxiety disorders.

In my chart of MBTI and tarot court card correspondences, the Page of Swords is aligned with ISTJ. Wikipedia describes this type as "responsible, sincere, analytical, reserved, realistic, systematic" and asserts that they are "hardworking and trustworthy with sound practical judgment."

Unfortunately, I have to call this correspondence a fail. The Page of Swords represents an adolescent who needs some qualities of the other three elements before she can use her intellect to good purpose and be trustworthy or practical.