Tarot Reflections: Three of Swords
Let’s discuss the Three of Swords, one of my favorite cards and often one of the most misunderstood.
The three of swords is, without a doubt, the most widely recognizable tarot card in the deck. Because no matter who you are, or where you’re from, everyone understands heartbreak.
So what does this say about people? It says that humans are meant to give a damn: to love, to care, and to put it all on the line for something (or someone) that really matters to us.
It’s a beautiful thing, really. The vulnerability, the openness, and the surrender that comes with really loving something. It takes a lot of courage to care, and so it’s natural that we don’t want to see (and feel) the pain of the this card.
But the truth is, we can’t always predict how situations will unfold.
Despite our best efforts, and even other people’s best efforts, we can still hurt each other. We can still misunderstand each other. We can still say words, or discover information, that can never be taken back. We can still lose something important.
And the Three of Swords is an icon, because to love is to lose. After all, at the end of our days, we can’t take anyone or anything with us, can we?
The real question is: does that inevitable loss give love less meaning, or more? Because those swords have created wounds, absolutely. And wounds are what let the light in.
So what do the wounds say about you?
For one, they say that you really cared about something. That’s always the silver lining in this process. Because if you didn’t care, those swords wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near your heart. But they did, didn’t they? And that makes you human.
So I’d like to invite you to think of this card as a meditation on the nature of love and loss, and allow that reflection carry you forward this week with intention.
Think about a time where you experienced a three of swords moment, and what it taught you about: who you are, how you love, and what really matters to you. That’s the jewel of this card. Witness yourself as you think about that. It’s a beautiful thing, really.
If you’d like a journal prompt to take this assignment a bit further, you’re welcome to use this one:
What are you grieving right now, and have you allowed yourself to actually feel it, or have you been processing it from a safe distance?
And as always, if you’re ready to learn tarot with me from the ground up, then I invite you to enroll in Tarot Academy. I spent the past two years creating the most comprehensive tarot course available: 142+ videos, 37+ hours of instruction, with lifetime access. Everything you need in one place.
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Wishing all the best always.
Until next time,
Patrick
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