The Three of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Three swords pierce a red heart from above and at an angle from the sides, converging at a single point, which is the very center of the heart. The three swords form an even angle between them. Meanwhile, the three hilts and three tips create a hexagonal or hexagram pattern, which is another mysterious hint.
These three swords enter from different places, symbolizing harm from various sources, but all hit the vital spot and converge inward, meeting at the deepest part of the heart. This forms a wound with three swords and six eyes, so many injuries are really hard to heal.
The background is full of gloomy clouds and mist, covering the top of the red heart. Slightly slanted straight lines fill the surroundings of the red heart, like falling rain. The entire background is also gray, which deepens the tragic image and atmosphere.
Although there is no character, it is the most plot-rich because it directly depicts the human heart. This is a card that focuses very much on the psyche, expressing emotional and spiritual pain and harm. This card clearly shows that the sharpness of the sword is to stab the feelings, extremely sad, pessimistic, disappointed, negative emotions, and harm from the outside.
This is a very famous picture and is one of the few pictures in the Waite Tarot without characters (the Three of Swords and the Eight of Wands have no characters, the rest all have, especially the Eight of Wands). However, the idea of this card is not the originality of the Waite Tarot. The "Illuminating Ancient Tarots" from the 15th century also has a similar picture to the Three of Swords - the Three of Swords and the Three of Wands.
Three Swords
The three swords piercing the heart serve as a stark representation of emotional and mental turmoil. Swords are associated with the mind and communication, suggesting that the pain being experienced is not just emotional but also a matter of thought patterns and mental attitudes that exacerbate the suffering.
Heart
The heart as a symbol generally signifies love, compassion, and emotional connection. When pierced by swords, these attributes are turned into their opposites: loss, sorrow, and emotional disconnection. The wounded heart on the card speaks to experiences of betrayal, sadness, and emotional suffering.
Clouds
The clouds usually depicted in the background signify confusion and obscurity. They hint at a lack of clarity, perhaps emotional fog, making it difficult to see situations for what they truly are. The clouds serve as a backdrop that symbolizes the nebulous, unclear nature of emotional states.
Rain
Rain is another prominent feature in the background of the Three of Swords. Rain symbolizes the outpouring of emotion or tears. It can also represent cleansing, the process through which emotional and psychological impurities are purged, suggesting a form of release or the need for it.
Grey Sky
The grey sky that often accompanies the other elements serves as a canvas that intensifies the card’s atmosphere of gloom and despair. Unlike a black sky, which might signify a complete absence of hope, or a blue sky, which could suggest optimism, the grey hints at an in-between state. It symbolizes the murky emotional and mental space one is in, where things are neither entirely bleak nor optimistic.
Keywords
Heartbreak, Emotional Pain, Separation, Loss, Betrayal
General Overview
The Three of Swords bears the weight of emotional sorrow and mental anguish. It often heralds a time of heartbreak or betrayal, piercing through the joy and contentment that once might have existed. The air element, signifying thoughts and communication, is at play here, suggesting that painful truths have come to light.
This card serves as a stark reminder that we must face our emotional and mental discomforts head-on in order to progress and heal. It’s not just a symbol of sorrow, but also a symbol of emotional purification. One must go through the storm to reach the calm that follows.
When the Three of Swords appears, it advises preparing for some form of emotional upheaval. This is not necessarily evil; in many cases, it is a necessary phase for emotional growth. By recognizing and facing our sorrows, we also open the path to overcome them.
Work
Work Situation
This job itself makes you feel sad and upset, filled with various factors that are detrimental to you, not only making it difficult for you to realize your ambitions but also harming your personality and self-confidence.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
A key factor is currently missing, preventing things from moving forward smoothly. The most important thing now is to identify this gap and take immediate action to remedy it.
Workplace Relationships
You feel disappointed with the interpersonal relationships in this job. There may be people you thought were good who were forced to leave, or you may have been treated unfairly, feeling that the wrong people are in charge.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
For a boss who shows no mercy to their subordinates, if you make a mistake, they will embarrass you in front of others and won't teach you. It's best to just follow their methods.
Job Prospects
The future prospects of this job are bleak. Not only is there no hope for promotion or a raise, but you might even be forced to leave. If you can find an opportunity to leave, it's better not to stay.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
If you're looking for a job now, there won't be any results in the short term. To avoid being defeated by a series of failures, it's better to take a break first, so as not to waste energy.
Love
Love Situation
You feel sad about your situation in this relationship, perhaps the other person has done something to hurt you, or your sincere efforts are not accepted.
Possibility of New Romance
It's completely impossible to have a new romance now because your heart is filled with sadness and distrust. Even if the right person appears, you can't grasp the opportunity.
View on This Relationship
This is a heartbreaking relationship. Although you are still together now, you wish you could leave as soon as possible. No matter how hard you try, you can't return to the happy days.
Sexual Attraction
There is little sexual attraction in this relationship, and it may even lead to no sex life at all. The two of you will often argue or feel sad about this.
How to Resolve Arguments
Now the other person's behavior has hurt you too much. If they don't apologize, it means they are not sincere. No matter what they say, it's useless. It's better to break up with them quickly.
Possibility of a Breakup
Breaking up now will hurt both of you, but as long as you stick to your position, the other person can't do anything about you. The key is not to be soft-hearted and unable to leave.
Possibility of Reconciliation
It's completely impossible to reconcile because you have been hurt too much in this relationship. If you unfortunately get back together again, it will make you even more painful.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Now you don't have any friends, and you may have been betrayed or deceived by friends, so it's hard to trust others again. You are still immersed in the atmosphere of sadness and can't get out.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
Your emotions are too intense now. It's best to deal with this issue after a while because if you can't face the problem rationally, it will make things worse.
Family
Family Situation
Now there is something sad and heartbreaking happening in the family, maybe a family member has passed away or divorced. In this depressing atmosphere, you should take care of yourself first.
Relationship with Elders
Your elders often criticize you a lot, which makes you feel very unconfident. You may also develop a pessimistic personality as a result, and your relationship with them is relatively distant.
Relationship with Peers
You meet with your peers less and less, but when you meet, conflicts are inevitable. There is no affection between you, so it's better not to meet, and it may be more pleasant.
Relationship with Juniors
You often neglect to take care of juniors due to your own reasons, so there is no affection between you. You should overcome all difficulties and make time to get along with them.
Academics
Academic Situation
Perhaps due to exam failure or other reasons, you feel sad and upset about your academic performance. You should reflect on the pain and start again.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should strengthen your weaknesses instead of spending energy on the parts you are good at. Don't let your emotions affect your learning efficiency.
Relationship with Teachers
Teachers have intense emotional reactions, so it's best not to exceed the boundaries they set. Do your own things well and don't get noticed by them.
Relationship with Classmates
Your relationship with classmates is very bad, so you often sulk alone. Various disputes among classmates also affect your learning mood.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your current financial situation is very bad, and you may collapse or go bankrupt at any time. You should be careful to deal with the current situation, find the problem, and solve it.
Investment Situation
You should not make any investments now, whether long-term or short-term, and you will not make money. Be especially careful to avoid partnering with others in anything, otherwise, you will lose all your money.
Purchasing Strategy
Before purchasing, you must first make a list of needs, otherwise, you will definitely lose things. If you can't buy what you need now, you should think about an alternative plan first.
Keywords
Recovery, Release, Moving On, Healing
General Overview
In its reversed position, the Three of Swords brings forth a promise of relief after hardship. It suggests a movement away from heartbreak or sorrow, hinting at recovery, emotional release, and the commencement of healing. While the pain might not be fully alleviated, its grip is lessening, and the clouds are beginning to part.
This card, when reversed, speaks to resilience and the power of the human spirit to heal from emotional wounds. It suggests that you have learned or are in the process of learning how to manage your pain, to accept past failures or betrayals, and to look forward to new beginnings.
It heralds a time of emotional clarity, where the initial shock and pain have subsided, allowing for a more reasoned perspective. This is a moment to release pent-up feelings, to forgive, and to move on, opening your heart to new possibilities.
Work
Work Situation
Your current work situation is extremely chaotic, and various mistakes often occur, making you feel on the verge of a mental breakdown, even causing irreparable losses.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
If you can't solve the problem quickly, you should put things on hold and deal with them at the right time, making sure to reserve time and space to backtrack.
Workplace Relationships
The personnel changes in this job are fast, and the organizational structure is chaotic, often changing before you understand the situation, making it hard for everyone to build relationships.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss is completely disorganized in their work, so you can only patch things up here and there, perhaps arranging your own schedule to take control.
Job Prospects
The future of this job has no prospects, and you will feel increasingly chaotic, so if you want better development, it's best to leave as soon as possible.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It's not suitable for you to look for a job now, even if you find a new job, it won't satisfy you, and you might leave soon, so it's better to rest thoroughly first.
Love
Love Situation
This relationship has become chaotic and out of control, and misunderstandings often occur that make each other sad, and under this situation, you want to leave but are afraid the other party will be upset.
Possibility of New Romance
It's impossible to have a new relationship now because your mood is still unstable, and you might still be in a chaotic emotional state, often saying things that hurt others.
View on This Relationship
The situation of this relationship has always been unclear, even if the relationship is very bad now, it is still lingering, and if you propose to break up now, it will inevitably hurt the other party.
Sexual Attraction
There is no attraction between the two people, and of course, there is not a strong sexual attraction. There is a lack of management in the sexual life part, so both sides will not be satisfied.
How to Resolve Arguments
It's not likely to resolve arguments at this time, it's better to stop and think, and if you feel hurt or wronged, you should speak out and see how the other party responds.
Possibility of a Breakup
It's not likely to break up immediately now, the relationship between the two people may drag on for a while, but you should clarify all matters and not be afraid to hurt the other party.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship has caused great harm to each other, so it's impossible to reconcile, and it's best not to see each other again to avoid recalling sad memories.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Your current interpersonal relationships are poor, often offending people without realizing it, and not knowing how to remedy and resolve it afterwards, so friends will become fewer and fewer.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
You should first figure out where the problem lies, if you are wrong, you must apologize in person, if you are always confused and don't understand the situation, it cannot be resolved.
Family
Family Situation
Now the family is in a chaotic and unclear new situation, at this time you should play a stable role, understand the ins and outs of the problem before it can be resolved.
Relationship with Elders
You often criticize the various practices of the elders, making them feel sad, so the relationship will not be very good, you should understand them with empathy and think about why they do this.
Relationship with Peers
There are often various arguments or conflicts among peers, and meetings often end in discord, you should review whether your approach is inappropriate.
Relationship with Juniors
You often feel sad about the behavior of juniors, but don't know how to solve this problem, in fact, as long as you spend more time to understand them, it will be fine.
Academics
Academic Situation
Currently, you are facing a chaotic and unclear situation in your studies, and you feel anxious and restless about learning, at this time you should calm down and understand the problem first.
Learning Methods
Now you can rearrange your learning methods and progress to avoid wasting effort on meaningless things, so that you have the opportunity to improve your learning efficiency.
Relationship with Teachers
You often do too many rebellious things to stimulate teachers, so you will also be targeted by teachers, you should restrain yourself a bit to avoid falling into a vicious cycle.
Relationship with Classmates
You are not popular among classmates because you often hurt others without realizing it, and even some classmates have united to boycott you, making your mood very low.
Finance
Financial Situation
Now your financial situation is very chaotic, and even you don't know how much money you have, maybe you have already accumulated a lot of debt without realizing it.
Investment Situation
Your current investment strategy is wrong, and the situation in the future will inevitably be difficult to meet your expectations, maybe it will take a long time for things to slowly improve.
Purchasing Strategy
It is not suitable to make any purchases now, otherwise, it may cause unnecessary consumer disputes, or because of the purchases at this time, it will hurt others, think twice before acting.