Three of Swords

 The third card on my tarot journey is the three of swords, a card that often makes most people very uncomfortable just looking at it. It is a bit of an intense image that can trigger the feelings of heartache or emotional loss, perhaps even the fear of death. But is that what it’s really about? Let’s take a look!

This card shows an image of a heart with three double edged swords penetrating it in the front and through the back, the two outer swords crossing the middle sword behind the heart. The sky is cloudy and grey with rain falling from the sky. I think we could all agree that there is nothing comforting about this image. But upon closer inspection, we can see that even though the heart is pierced, there is no blood. It’s as if the swords aren’t causing any real or true damage. 

This card is bringing to your attention that your heartache isn’t based on emotions but rather over mental analysis of a situation. Over thinking the situation will not make you feel any better and it will almost always make it worse. Do you have all of the information you need? Or are you jumping to conclusions, and contributing to unnecessary emotional pain by assuming, when assuming won’t get you anywhere? This card is a sort of reminder or warning that you have more control of your thoughts than you think and at any moment you can disengage from the pain producing thoughts that circle endlessly and do nothing to help. You can pull out those swords and replace them with flowers or anything you want. It is your mind, after all... you do not need to fall victim to yourself. 

So when you pull the three of swords, ask yourself if you want to continue to plant sharp and painful thoughts or do you want to plant thoughts of loving kindness and support? We always have a choice, and while they might be choices you do not always like, you can choose to remain positive and know you aren’t completely powerless.