Tarot enthusiasts turn to tarot cards to reveal the secrets of their past, present, and future. Every tarot card is open to interpretation and has both positive and negative attributes that you can apply to your everyday life.
But one tarot card that has overwhelmingly negative connotations is the Three of Swords card. The key meanings of this card are loss, grief, and heartbreak. An overflow of strong emotions that leave you feeling incredibly hurt.
Has the Three of Swords appeared in your tarot reader and you’re wondering how this might apply to your life? Read on for the ultimate guide to the Three of Swords tarot card.
Three of Swords Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Heartbreak, separation, sadness, grief, sorrow, upset, loss, trauma, tears
Reversed card (keywords)
Healing, forgiveness, recovery, reconciliation, repressing emotions
Description of the Three of Swords
The first thing you’ll notice about the Three of Swords card is the image on the front of the card. In the Rider-Waite tarot deck this shows a large red floating heart that has been pierced by three swords.
The pierced heart clearly signifies that this card is focused on matters of the heart while the heart being wounded points to emotional pain. Behind the heart we see dark clouds and storm clouds forming, as a symbol of the emotional storm and strength of emotion caused.
Three of Swords Upright Meaning
The Three of Swords tarot card meaning focuses on loss, pain, and heartbreak. When this card appears in your tarot reading it can signify a period of confusion and sadness on an emotional level due to a variety of factors including the end of a relationship or the loss of a loved one. Whether you’re dealing with a prolonged health issue or a sudden loss, the Three of Swords tarot card sends a valuable message about the importance of using logic and rational thought to overcome emotional challenges rather than letting your feelings lead your decision making process.
If you draw the Three of Swords card but you don’t know how it relates to your current situation then the card serves as a warning to work on your emotional health and ensure you are resilient and prepared to deal with any difficult situations that may arise.
The main Three of Swords keywords that you need to be aware of are pain, betrayal, and heartbreak. This is the Minor Arcana card of grief. But it’s important to remember that all of these emotions are an important part of life, so you shouldn’t let negative thoughts overwhelm you.
Three of Swords—Love Meaning
A love reading of the Three of Swords tarot card in the upright position is very clear. You will experience a loss of love leading to heartbreak. This could signify the breakdown of a long term relationship or a third party (the third sword) coming into your relationship and causing conflict. If you suspect your partner is cheating this card could give the clarification you need.
If you’re single or looking for a new relationship then the Three of Swords tarot card is sending a clear message that you won’t find the love life you want until you let go of past relationships or difficult relationship breakdowns and open your heart to new possibilities.
The good news is that personal growth is possible when you let go of the hurt and begin the healing process. Give yourself time and acknowledge those painful truths so you can finally move on.
Three of Swords—Career Meaning
If the Three of Swords card appears in your career tarot spread then this is a clear indicator that you are facing uncertainty and difficulty in the work place. This could mean a job loss, conflict with colleagues or clients, or another bad situation that is causing you emotional anguish. Lack of communication between colleagues and clients will only make problems worse, so it’s time to be open and honest with everyone involved. Perhaps seeking professional help from a mentor or mediator is a viable option?
Looking for work? Now is not a good time to find a new career path or to change your job. If you have any holiday leave left, now might be a good time to take a break from the workplace and work on yourself. Avoid any negative self-talk (which never solved anything!) and take time away from situations that are negatively impacting your mental and physical health.
Three of Swords—Finances Meaning
Looking at the Three of Swords tarot card in a financial context indicates that money is causing you a lot of stress right now. Perhaps you are experiencing a financial loss, or an emotional loss is having financial ramifications. If you are going through a divorce or a relationship breakdown, for example, you may no longer be able to afford your rent. Or going through IVF is putting you in an untenable financial situation.
Whatever financial problems you’re experiencing they can be overcome with careful planning and lifestyle changes. Be open and honest with friends and family about your problems, seek support and a different perspective. All of this will help you get through this period of financial uncertainty.
Reversed Three of Swords Meaning
When the Three of Swords tarot card is presented in the reversed position this has much more positive connotations. Although you have been through a very painful experience you are beginning to heal: you can see the silver lining on the cloud and the light at the end of the tunnel!
This card indicates that you are adopting a positive outlook to your problems and this is leading to an emotional release. If you’re not ready to let go of the pain you are feeling, then you are aware that this is the only way to truly overcome your hardships. The Three of Swords card description should serve as a reminder that pain and sadness are a reality of life, and it’s time to face them head-on.
Three of Swords—Love Meaning
A love tarot reading of the Three of Swords tarot card when it’s presented in the reversed position acknowledges that you recently experienced a loss. This could be a bereavement, rejection, or a relationship breakdown.
But when reversed the Three of Swords tarot meaning focuses on moving on and forgiveness in your near future. If your partner has betrayed you then you’re ready to reopen the channels of communication. If you’ve been through a breakup then it’s time to let go of the pain, embrace new ideas, and open yourself up to the possibility of a new love.
Three of Swords—Career Meaning
A career reading of the Three of Swords card in the reversed position suggests that it’s time to look at problems in the workplace with a different perspective. Although work has been difficult you’ve put in the work to overcome this: perhaps you’ve let go of your inner mean girl when communicating with your colleagues or have looked at conflicts with clients in a different context.
Communication in the work place has improved and the atmosphere is much lighter and more upbeat. Looking for work? After a period of hardship and rejection, now is a good time to restart your job search with a renewed sense of optimism.
Three of Swords—Finances Meaning
Financial hardship underpins a financial reading of the Three of Swords tarot card in the reversed position. The meaning of the card points to loss and difficulty. This could mean debt, or the loss of important investment. But when the card is in the reversed position you can see light at the end of the tunnel.
Perhaps you’ve come to an arrangement with your lenders or a family member has offered financial support. Financial problems aren’t fixed overnight. But taking small steps will get you back on the right track and improve your general sense of wellbeing.
Other Cards with the Three of Swords
The Three of Swords is an important card in the context of your emotional health and wellbeing. It represents grief and loss, but also the importance of listening to your inner thoughts to overcome this. When paired with other cards, the general meaning of each card changes slightly, which only makes tarot readings more fascinating. Some of the most interesting combinations with the Three of Swords tarot card are:
The Three of Swords and the Ace of Swords
These are both Swords tarot cards which means they represent mental clarity and ability. But while the Ace of Swords focuses on mental strength and breakdowns, the Three of Swords represents mental breakdowns. When combined the message is positive: clarity and a new path will follow your emotional pain.
The Three of Swords and the High Priestess
The Three of Swords is a Minor Arcana tarot card and the High Priestess is a Major Arcana card. The High Priestess is a very powerful card and when it is paired with the Three of Swords it implies that it’s time to have a difficult and painful conversion. This may have unwanted consequences but you can only heal when you get to the heart of the matter with complete honesty.
The Three of Swords and the Hanged Man
The Three of Swords is the third card in the Swords suit and when paired with the Hanged Man Major Arcana card it represents keeping the faith no matter how difficult your emotional upheaval or how severe your pain. Listen to your inner voice, find the right spiritual path and keep going because this too will pass.
The Three of Swords and its Astrological Sign
The zodiac sign most closely associated with the Three of Swords tarot card is Libra. All of the cards in the Suit of Swords are associated with the air signs, which are Geminia, Aquarius and Libra. These are the signs that control communication and intelligence, reminding us that even in a period of the worst emotional upheaval, communication is key.
The planet aligned with the Three of Swords tarot card is Venus, which is the planet that represents love and communication on both romantic and familial levels. While heartbreak is the overriding theme of the Three of Swords, this is still an aspect of love and romance which falls under Venus’ control.
Conclusion
Now that you better understand the Three of Swords tarot card description you are in a strong position to apply its messages to your life. The Three of Swords is a negative tarot card, but it also serves as a reminder that even in the bleakest period of heartbreak or grief, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Tarot cards don’t predict the future: if you’re currently in a strong and happy romantic relationship then pulling this card doesn’t mean your relationship will end. But it can serve as a warning to ensure you are leaving yourself in a vulnerable position if something goes wrong.
Want to know more about the Three of Swords tarot card and what it might mean for your life? Interested in a deeper tarot guide through the tarot cards you have chosen in your tarot reader?
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