A lithe, active figure holds a sword upright in both hands, while in the act of swift walking. He is passing over rugged land, and about his way the clouds are collocated wildly. He is alert and lithe, looking this way and that, as if an expected enemy might appear at any moment.
the plate, in waite's words · the painted card will hang here in time
In divination
Authority, overseeing, secret service, vigilance, spying, examination, and the qualities thereto belonging.
Reversed:More evil side of these qualities; what is unforeseen, unprepared state; sickness is also intimated.
The library's note
A lithe figure holds a sword upright, walking fast under wildly gathered clouds, alert as though an enemy might appear at any moment. Waite gives him the suit's own vigilance in miniature, "authority, overseeing, secret service," "spying, examination," watchfulness carried by a person rather than shown in a static scene. The court cards begin the suit's bridge between image and character here, on a figure braced for conflict that has not yet actually arrived.
a young page · the keeper's voice pass on the note is still to come