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How To Use The Three Of Swords To Heal

The Three of Swords Tarot card is a spiky one of upset, heartbreak, and disappointment. It can come to us when we feel hurt or let down in some way, a reminder of the cutting power of words and how the stories we tell can cause pain. The pen is mightier than the sword!

Read on for how to heal with the Three of Swords, including its full Tarot card description, and Astrological and Numerological correspondences:

Three of Swords Tarot Card

The Three of Swords Minor Arcana is one of sadness and harsh truths being spoken. Sometimes it can represent an external thing/figure getting involved in a situation. After the meditative space of the Two of Swords, it seems we may have perhaps not taken the best decision.

[On a literal level this card can also represent contracts, and as Tarot reader extraordinaire T. Susan Chang says— rain!]

It is said that the solution to the 9s is in the 3s, in this case the regret and anxiety of the Nine of Swords can be healed by listening to the pains of the heart; and, if need be, addressing the third person (especially if one of the Court Cards shows up as well) or elephant in the room.

We can see a heart pierced on the Pamela Colman Smith rendition, completely taking up the entirety of the space on the card, and the background is a sombre grey. This is only one of two cards in the whole Tarot deck that don’t have figures in them (the other being the Eight of Wands). A representation that we have come outside of ourselves, the heart has taken over.

Visually, the three swords are a reminder of how our thoughts, minds, and the way we speak can cause literal emotional pain.

When this card shows up for us, we may have amends to make— perhaps apologise if necessary or we may be owed an apology.

Regardless of whether we get it or not, ultimately this card is an invitation to sit with the woes of the heart and allow yourself to feel. No matter how big or small, simply listen to them— it is only in this way that we can heal the heart.

I’m reminded of the myth of Inanna with this card in which the only way for Inanna’s servants to help free her from her sister Ereshkigal in the Underworld was to simply echo back to Ereshkigal her cries. By being witnessed, the heart is soothed.

Numerologically as a 3, it represents the creative power where two can become three. But three’s also a crowd, it is not the equal, easy, black-and-white duality of the two. The 3 has infinite creative potential, as a magic number great things are possible.

This also connects it to the Major Arcana Empress card, a reminder of the need for softness, tenderness, and nurturance when this card shows up for us. Be gentle, listen to the heart, and all can be healed.

The other 3s of the deck are more obviously nourishing and generative. The Three of Wands is developing a personal journey, the Three of Cups is simple communal joys, and the Three of Pentacles is the things we can build with teamwork. The Three of Swords thus shows how being together can sometimes be tricky to navigate.

Astrologically, this is a Saturn in Libra card, which I just love. Saturn is exalted in Libra, the Planet of time, hard work, and boundaries in the Sign of relationships reminds of the inherent effort necessary to build strong partnerships. Being in relation with others is not always easy, but it is worth putting in the effort in the long run.

In the Thoth deck this card is simply called Sorrow, a fitting description. Sometimes I think sharp cards like this one can be feared in the Tarot but it is just a representation of life— a good life is made of ups and downs, it’s not possible for it to be otherwise. It is in these moments that can learn more about ourselves and others and come to a deeper healing, connection, and understanding.

Also, as the Tarot is a reflection of current energies surrounding us, when we pull it we may already feel this way and this can act as validation. On the other hand, it can just be an invitation to be mindful of how we speak to ourselves and others.

Upright Three of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

Generally, the Three of Swords can represent a sense of sadness, upset, disappointment, pain, heartbreak, or grief. Again, it does not mean that you are 100% going feel these things if you happen to pull this card! It can be an invitation to sit with and honour our sense of loss, disrespect, betrayal— whatever it may be, however big or small, listen to your heart.

Reversed Three of Swords Tarot Card

If you choose to read reversals, a Three of Swords reversed could be a message that you are moving through a disappoint or upset, or to not resist listening to what ails your heart!

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Three of Swords in a Relationship Reading

As with all Tarot meanings, the actual significations of the Three of Swords in a love Tarot reading will depend entirely on the situation at hand, the question asked, the position in the spread it has fallen, the cards surrounding it, and your own intuition.

Overall, however, it can represent the need for honouring where you have felt slighted, disappointed, or let down in the relationship or by your partner. It could represent an external person or thing (such as a job) causing you pain or upset. Be mindful of words spoken, listen to your heart, and make amends if need be.

Three of Swords in a Career Reading

Again, the true nature of its meaning will depend on the context, but in general the Three of Swords in career Tarot readings can be a message to not let your mind run away with itself and create stories that cause you pain. It can also be an invitation to be mindful of how you speak to others professionally! On a literal level this can represent contracts. Or you may have felt let down by something in your career, don’t dismiss the wisdom of the heart!

So that’s an overview of the Three of Swords Tarot card, I hope it’s insightful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any questions.

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