Two of Swords
A hoodwinked female figure balances two swords upon her shoulders. Divinatory Meanings: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, courage, friendship, concord in a state of arms; another reading gives tenderness, affection, intimacy. The suggestion of harmony and other favourable readings must be considered in a qualified manner, as Swords generally are not symbolical of beneficent forces in human affairs. Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.
A. E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911)
An idea communicated to another, awaiting response or proposition. A new contact with possibilities, with excitement, interest and uncertainty - a desired movement strength gained from change. It can also be a conflict of opposing principles, a created standstill, a state of tension which demands a choice of some kind. The unpleasant reality must be faced, the conformity, the fight in suspense, the mistrust needs balance and inner peace.
2 of Clouds: Schizophrenia
The person on this card brings a new twist to the old idea of "getting stuck between a rock and a hard place"! But we are in precisely this sort of situation when we get stuck in the indecisive and dualistic aspect of the mind. Should I let my arms go and fall head-first, or let my legs go and fall feet-first? Should I go here or there? Should I say yes or no? And whatever decision we make, we will always wonder if we should have decided the other way.
The only way out of this dilemma is, unfortunately, to let go of both at once. You can't work your way out of this one by solving it, making lists of pros and cons, or in any way working it out with your mind. Better to follow your heart, if you can find it. If you can't find it, just jump–your heart will start beating so fast there will be no mistake about where it is!
Tarot of the Ages - Mario Garizio ©1988 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
The inherent duality of the Swords suit is shown here as the delicate balance of the two swords. The Two of Swords expresses this balance as a stalemate, a conflict between two equally matched forces in which neither has the clear advantage. These forces can take on many forms: negative against positive, the impulse to act against the desire to stay silent, or knowing what to do against actually doing it. Such impasses are not easily resolved, and they can lead to a long period of confusion and stagnation. So we have peace, but in this situation peace is detrimental.
Since the swords are crossed in front of the woman's heart on the Rider-Waite Two of Swords, this card often manifests as a closed heart. This expression refers to one of the many barriers that are erected around you to protect you from what you perceive as dangers. In this case the swords are not forces opposed against each other, but forces allied against anything that might try to pry them away and reveal what they are guarding. If the barrier is broken suddenly, it will be painful. But if the barrier is allowed to remain it will become stronger and tension will build until it breaks on its own. In a relationship-oriented situation the Two of Swords shows such barriers between the two partners. Sometimes only one person is responsible, but the number of the card suggests that both partners are at fault in the majority of cases. It manifests as a vicious cycle; one partner refuses to tell a secret and becomes defensive. The other partner is hurt and becomes equally defensive. This continues until the relationship falls apart or the tension is relieved, and such relief cannot come about through further defensiveness. The barriers cannot be shattered; they must be taken down piece by piece. And sometimes this is very uncomfortable to do.
The Two of Swords often represents situations where an answer could be found and the truth could be seen, but where the person or persons involved choose not to see it. The Two of Swords shows those times when you deliberately avoid seeing the truth. Maybe one of your ideas has been proven incorrect and, though you see that you were wrong, you do not want to admit it. It can be painful to remove a blindfold and see the truth, because even the softest light will blind those who have lived in darkness. But being blinded by the light is far preferable to being blinded by darkness.
Tarot of the Dream Enchantress ©2009 Lo Scarabeo