The Alchemist (Knight of Swords)

In a reading

• Relationships, love: talks a lot, has it out with raised voices, harsh criticism, shooting from the hip. In new relationships he brings an intellectual struggle, two characters grinding against each other, where romance takes a back seat to arguments on principle.
• Career, money: tough competition, crisis, lawsuits, fast decisions and defending projects. Money is earned through intellectual work, beating the competition or quick tactical moves. Finances are unstable and often go into the fight or into growing the business.

Shadow side

Ruthlessness, cruelty, stepping on others, sarcasm, tactlessness, reckless haste that leads to fatal mistakes, taking pleasure in conflict and in trampling other people’s boundaries. And overall this is pure mental impulse: cold calculation, breaking through any barrier with no regard for feelings.

The card’s advice

Here, act very decisively and fast, and rely on cold reason. But make sure your directness and sharpness don’t burn the bridges around you.

From the wider tradition

Not Tahmina’s own words: meanings common among other tarot readers, which she has reviewed and approved.

• Gets bored quickly in love — needs intellectual stimulation; without “food for thought” he cools off and pulls away emotionally.
• Perfectionism and impatience as character traits.

Shadow side:

• Bullying, pushing things through by force — makes people do it his way, intimidates them in arguments.
• Muddled thinking, acting without preparation — the other extreme from cold calculation: thoughts scatter, decisions are made in the heat of the moment.
• Questionable ethics for the sake of gain — ready to cross moral lines or break the law, exploitation.

The section above is the shadow side of the upright card — every card has one. I don’t read cards upside down — here is why.