Three of Swords
Three swords piercing a heart; cloud and rain behind. Divinatory Meanings: Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dispersion, and all that the design signifies naturally, being too simple and obvious to call for specific enumeration. Reversed: Mental alienation, error, loss, distraction, disorder, confusion.
A. E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911)
It is the conflict of the two, consequences of human choice, resentments, pain from separation or heartbreak. There is discord, struggle, doubt and sorrow and out of mind-chaos it is heavy, dark and one is lonely and thinks danger comes from outside. This destructive step from the two leads toward creative separation and with the relief when poison comes out healing is possible.
3 of Clouds: Ice-olation
In our society, men in particular have been taught not to cry, to put a brave face on things when they get hurt and not show that they are in pain. But women can fall into this trap too, and all of us at one time or another might feel that the only way to survive is to close off our feelings and emotions so we can't be hurt again. If our pain is particularly deep, we might even try to hide it from ourselves. This can make us frozen, rigid, because deep down we know that one small break in the ice will free the hurt to start circulating through us again.
The rainbow-colored tears on this person's face hold the key to breaking out of this 'ice-olation'. The tears, and only the tears, have the power to melt the ice. It's okay to cry, and there is no reason to feel ashamed of your tears. Crying helps us to let go of pain, allows us to be gentle with ourselves, and finally helps us to heal.
Tarot of the Ages - Mario Garizio ©1988 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
The symbolism on the Three of Swords is scant but powerful, almost universal in its depiction on various decks. Three swords are seen piercing a heart, or occasionnally a flower, both of which are symbols of emotion and beauty. Thus the Three of Swords depicts, rather unambiguously, the ability of logic and power to harm the physical body and the emotions of a person. It is not surprising that many people don't like this card because of its associations with pain and suffering. But all of the Swords cards carry a lesson, and the Three of Swords is no different. It lesson may be the most useful of all.
So many things can shatter the fragility of the human heart: words, gestures, a turned back or a deaf ear. The Three of Swords is a dark gem that has many faces, none of which are particularly pleasant. There is rejection, sadness, loneliness, heartbreak, betrayal, separation and grief. Such events feel so painful because we don't expect them, and the Three of Swords often serves as a warning sign to show when one or more of these is possible. By preparing for it, the emotional blow can be lessened or even prevented entirely. But that is not the main lesson here. Awful as it may sound, pain is often necessary in your life. If there was no pain there would be no challenge and life would be ultimately pointless. Pain is a great motivator because it encourages you to surmount obstacles and return your life to the way it was before. Such challenges are inevitably opportunities to learn from your mistakes and grow stronger because of their teachings. The pain may cloud your vision for a time, but it the end it will allow you to see clearly, and to put the past behind you. Life will always go on, no matter how bleak it feels.
If you can start seeing pain as an opportunity to expand and learn, life will suddenly become a whole lot less painful. The challenges remain but once they are no longer perceived as negative and evil, they lose a lot of their impact and their potency. When the Three of Swords appears and it is not in reference to an event, it is likely telling you that you have the ability to conquer any pain that comes your way. And here's how: see if the pain can help you grow. If someone has betrayed you and you don't think you can ever love again, challenge that belief wholeheartedly. Don't be surprised when your heart emerges from darkness, even more capable of loving than before.
Tarot of the Dream Enchantress ©2009 Lo Scarabeo