The Three of Swords is often regarded as the archetypal negative Tarot card. The picture depicted on this card represents the worst that could happen in your life – a pierced heart. In the past, there has been grief, sorrow, pain, and heartbreak. As a result, you may feel drained, frustrated, and overwhelmed by problems. Some Tarot cards even present the Three of Swords through an individual who is laying on the ground, with three swords sticking out of each of their backs. The third sword has sliced through their hearts, symbolizing the pain they feel after the loss of a close person or friendship. It appears as though the individual has simply passed away.
This Minor Arcana card generally represents a strong sense of sorrow, pain, embarrassment, and grief. The upright Three of Swords denotes a disturbing incident that you would prefer to forget.
Characteristics of Three of Swords Upright
Positive: healing, getting better, recovering from pain, progress, overcoming obstacles, healing issues, coming out on top, new beginning, moving on emotionally, leaving bad relationship, making big changes in career, making big changes in life, being emotionally stable.
Negative: cutting, breakups, heartbreak, grief, sorrow, suffering, bad temper, bad mood, moodiness.
Description and Symbolism of Three of Swords
Some perceive the number 3 as a lucky number as it is the number of great energy, friendships, and social spirit. Number 3 carries a good omen and sends blessings of optimism, curiosity, and amazing creativity. Unfortunately, Swords are not only about grief but also about betrayal, separation, and sometimes, isolation.
The astrological planet for Three of Swords is Saturn which is not a light placement as it is connected to limitations and lessons karma wants to teach us, and an Air zodiac sign Libra, which is one of the kindest, most peaceful, and most sociable signs, with inclinations towards beauty and art.
However, the Three of Swords is one of the saddest cards in the deck and carries a heavy burden of life. Alister Crowley named the Three of Swords the card of Sorrow. Not a surprise if you look at the card with a pierced heart, that is outside of the body and is from that perspective open and vulnerable to external effects such as three swords piercing through it, hurting the heart and causing great pain. You can notice the stormy weather with rain and clouds on the card. Rain reminds us of depressive days when we want to move away from the world into solitude and clouds that indicate sad, gloomy emotions and thoughts.
General Meaning of Three of Swords
Three of Swords card describes your feelings of emotional upheaval and discord due to heartbreak, loss and sadness. You might be overwhelmed by the experience of loss or sadness in your life and unable to see the way forward. Your pain is raw and hurting.
The Three of Swords is the card of melancholy, heartbreak, emotional loss, and sorrow. When this card occurs, you are experiencing intense feelings of loss and suffering. There may be some trauma or a loss that may have brought you to tears or emotional despair. The card represents the sadness that one feels after a breakup; a period of misery that follows with abandonment, neglect, or rejection. It may also indicate that somebody died.
After the initial shock and grief, you might go through a period of withdrawal and solitude. You may find it difficult to interact with people at this time, as you are so emotionally drained. It is not uncommon to experience depression during this time.
This card may also signify that you are about to achieve something great, but only if the Three of Swords card appears in a positive position that describes advantage or strength in a general Tarot reading. Remember that you previously suffered a great loss, and now is the time for you to be happy and rejoice. You have successfully fought all obstacles, and now are on the right path towards a brighter future.
If this card shows up with a negative meaning, it indicates that you are going through some emotional pain – you have suffered a breakup, or a significant loss. As Three of Swords indicates that your heart was involved in the matter, you may have lost your love as well. Three of Swords tarot card represents emotional pain. The Three of Swords indicates that there has been sadness and loss in your life. In this period you still want to give yourself time, and avoid rushing into any decision.
Three of Swords card means that not all things are going well in your life, especially when the card appears in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position. This Minor Arcana card in reading shows up as a warning to you to ensure that you focus on your own life balance and well-being as well as that of others. The Three of Swords should be taken as a sign of concern that something is wrong. If you are under mental or emotional pressure, you must try to reduce your workload.
You should look for rest, relaxation, and a solution to your problems. There might be some problems with your close ones which are getting to you. In those times, you need to keep your calm, and you will overcome the situation. In your personal life, you must think about the people and your needs very carefully and make sure that what is good for you is good for the people you love the most.
When the Three of Swords pops up as an answer to your wish in the form of Yes or No, this is a clear sign that the answer is a negative No.
Three of Swords in the Context of Love and Relationships
You, or someone around you is experiencing deep sorrow, grief, and loss in your relationship, if you’ve pulled Three of Swords card in a love and relationships Tarot reading. Perhaps a former partner walked out of your life unexpectedly. It appears like this person has died, or they have left you, which might come as a shock to you. It is normal to experience sadness and grief in these instances. You can get through this by letting go of past pain. If you’ve drawn Three of Swords in a love Tarot reading, prepare on how you’re going to handle this.
To cope with this loss, you must work on letting go. This process might take time, but it will help you in the long run because the sorrow and loss will leave you with a positive outlook on life. You will learn to appreciate your new love that you found. However, you must remember that these experiences are meant to toughen up your heart. If you want to work on yourself, try to make an effort to forgive instead of obsess over the events that have left an emotional impression on you.
Three of Swords in the Context of Career
In terms of career reading, your position right now is quite bad. If you’ve pulled Three of Swords after asking your deck about career questions, Three of Swords indicate conflicts in your work environment, which will cause more trouble for you. These conflicts might be among your colleagues, manager, or clients, issues you need to take care of. This card also hints that you are going through a heartbreak related to your work. If you are still in the process of recovering from this, then you should avoid taking any initiative at your workplace. This time is hard for you, all you need right now is your loved ones’ love and support.
Three of Swords in the Context of Finances
You are probably having a lot of financial trouble right now, if you’ve pulled Three of Swords in a reading about your finances. The worst is not yet over. Despite your best efforts, you may not be making the progress that you expected, and the situation may seem to get worse, rather than better. When things are really low, it’s easy to feel as though we’ve lost everything. When the Universe presents you with a setback, try not to be hard on yourself about it. You will rise again. It feels impossible now, but you will get out of this.
Three of Swords in the Context of Health
In a health reading Three of Swords card is all about injuries, health issues, and sickness. This Minor Arcana card reminds you to take things easy, and avoid all things too serious. It also indicates a start of an illness. This card will also indicate that you must face more investigations to get more clarity about your health issue.
Three of Swords Card Through Spirituality and Self-Development
Three of Swords card is all about heartbreak and betrayal when you’re reading a spirituality and self-development spread. If the Three of Swords shows up, it means that you have just endured a painful and upsetting experience. You might feel grief, sorrow, and heartbreak because of this experience. In general, if you pull this card in your reading, it is indicated that it is high time to make yourself emotionally strong and learn how to handle pain and suffering. Especially if this card appears in the upright position, it is a sign that is also a call for self-compassion and acceptance.
The Three of Swords in a reading suggests that you have encountered a difficult and challenging situation. You might have experienced grief, sorrow, and heartbreak because of this experience. You’re experiencing the emotional effects of this stressful event because it is a sign that you must strengthen yourself on an emotional level. You must also accept suffering and pain as valid experiences, not something negative but something that helps you grow as a person. If you pull the Three of Swords to see what the situation is, pay attention because this card can also mean that someone has betrayed you.
Is Three of Swords Yes or No Card?
If you’ve pulled Three of Swords in a yes or no reading, it means a no. The main message here is to avoid doing the wrong things. The Three of Swords shows up to show that you should be wise and cautious with the decisions you make. Three of Swords is a warning that you shouldn’t cross the line between doing what you want and doing what is best for you.
Those who have yes or no questions in a reading, Three of Swords Tarot card indicates a ‘no’ answer to most questions. It indicates new information won’t be coming your way soon. Don’t expect positive news or solutions to your problems. This card shows up as a form of protection.
Three of Swords is a tarot card that wants you to slow down and take your time when trying to receive information. Take your energy and focus it on other things, as this will help you open yourself to receiving more information when it’s time. Three of Swords illustrates the difficulties that you are going to face now. Even though you may have been through some difficult times in the past, Three of Swords can be taken as a form of encouragement to keep on moving forward towards what you have always wanted. The Three of Swords indicates you are currently experiencing a certain level of loss or disconnection. It is a card to show you that even though you may feel alone right now, there are still people who truly care for you.
Three of Swords as a Person
If you’ve pulled Three of Swords as a person, a card describes a person who is emotionally upset, usually due to a break-up or some other upsetting break. Three of Swords tarot card denotes bad news, unfavorable times, and sadness. If you are asking about how someone is feeling regarding you and you get Three of Swords, this person feels hurt and abandoned by you.
There is a misunderstanding that has happened between the two of you. Three of swords often shows up when there is a misunderstanding between two people and it leads to tension and hurt feelings.
On the other hand, Three of Swords tarot card can denote someone who has a tendency to gossip, slander, and hurt other people. This could happen as they are jealous of a competitor or someone who is more successful than they are. Three of Swords often shows up in a reading when the Seeker feels that they cannot trust their friends and loved ones.
In love and relationships, Three of swords denotes someone who is at a crossroads.
When reading emotional characteristics of a person Three of Swords card indicates, we can draw an inverted triangle with a heart attached to it, which represents the human spirit. This is a good indication that you have inner strength and courage to overcome any obstacles. Three of swords shows that you feel sadness and heartbreak in your life. There is a possibility to suffer heartache and emotional pain at this moment, which is not easy to handle. The main message of the Three of Swords is telling you that you have to stay strong and keep moving forward because life itself comes with ups and downs and it is not easy to go through it.
The Three of Swords shows that you have received a piercing of a sword from your inner soul. The sword cuts deep and painful, which you are experiencing emotionally as well as mentally. You might be going through heartbreak in the past, and now you are experiencing the pain again. You have to understand the situation and know how to overcome it without letting your true potential to go wasted.
You might be experiencing some difficulties right now and want to get out of the situation as soon as possible.
Three of Swords as a Feeling
This card reveals your sadness and sorrow, when you draw Three of Swords as a feeling. This is the most emotional card of the Suit of Swords, and it represent loneliness, loss, separation, despair, and anguish. It might be that you have lost someone you care about in your life and are feeling it. Your heart is breaking, but you are too caught up in the emotions to see. The worst has happened for a reason, and it is now your job to accept it and let go of the past.
When three swords appear in a reading, it can signify that there was a sudden, unexpected, and traumatic change in your life. It is possible that you have recently suffered some kind of loss, such as the sudden death of a loved one, the departure of a loved one, or the breakup of a relationship. This may have come as a complete shock to you, and your heart is breaking as a result. Try to take a break and be with your feelings.
It is advised that you have a personal retreat from others.
What Is Three of Swords Card as a Positive Card, Strength, and Advantage?
If you’ve pulled Three of Swords card in a positive, strength, or advantage position in a Tarot reading, it might be as a sign of encouragement. It can be an indication that you are prepared to face a significant emotional ordeal. This may be a time of emotional pain, anxiety, or sadness. The card might also indicate that you are about to turn a new leaf in a relationship. Be cautious to prevent this incident. It may also be a metaphor for trauma inflicted by the outside environment.
The card on the other hand stands for separation from friends and families. It denotes suffering, sorrow, and pain. It stands for the breakup of intimate bonds. It can also mean the loss of a job, a deal, or a project. The Three of Swords is typically a bad omen. It may signify a setback or an unfavorable occurrence. It may also represent a breakdown in communication or misunderstandings. The Three of Swords might be used to represent the end of a chapter in your life.
This minor arcana card denotes the loss of vitality, energy, hopes, and confidence. You are beginning to feel emotionally fatigued.
Three of Swords as an Obstacle
Three of Swords card calls you to let go of what can be lost and accept what you cannot control. When pulled in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position, even though the sadness you feel may be genuine, you cannot change it. Accept that you’re hurting, and let go of any clinging, hoping for a happier ending. Your Higher Self is wiser than the mind and heart.
Even in a positive reading, Three of Swords tarot card indicates a time of hardship and sadness. It is the time to let go of what is causing the pain and surrender to whatever circumstances and circumstances present themselves. The only thing we can do is to acknowledge and experience the pain in all its forms.
If reading in the dark, remove the three swords and use the remaining cards to interpret.
Three of Swords Card as a Future Outcome
The card indicates a breakdown during an emotional event When Three of Swords appears in a future or outcome Tarot spread position. This can be in response to a previous trauma, argument, or conflict. You may have been knocked down in the last moment by a wave of emotion, leaving you feeling drained and unable to think clearly. The 3 of Swords in reverse, on the other hand, tells you that you’ve let go of any guilt or sadness you may be experiencing. Any wounds you may have sustained are healing. When this card appears in a reading, you can feel better because you no longer harbor any negative emotions or memories.
Three of Swords denotes a strong indication of a breakdown during a stressful situation, which has the potential to be a sign of despair. The Three of Swords in a spread may represent a person who is struggling with a terrible level of grief or sadness. You might be experiencing problems with intimacy, marriage, or your commitment. There could be disputes at work and in relationships because you are unable to handle a problem in a constructive manner.
Three of Swords card is a sign that you are going through a difficult emotional time and this is absolutely the case when it appears in a future outcome position in a Tarot reading. Now is probably not the best time to make huge decisions or let your emotions get the best of you. You may be prone to outbursts of anger, crying, or sadness. You’ll need to have patience when dealing with these feelings as they arise.
The Three of Swords can indicate that you are in a state of emotional turbulence, which may be due to the fact that you don’t have the support you need from others, you’ve lost someone you care about, or you’ve suffered a loss. These emotional upheavals may be very distressing for you, and you may feel as though no one can help you even though you’ve reached out. You may be avoiding others as a strategy to avoid your emotions, or you are withdrawing yourself, which is another way of avoiding your feelings.
The Three of Swords is not necessarily a negative card, but rather a card that calls your attention to how you are feeling and your emotions.
Three of Swords Card as a Prediction of When an Event Will Occur
If your question is when will something happen, Three of Swords card in the reading signals that any time in the coming future is good as an answer to your question. You may find relief from your grief and sorrow with this card. If you are trying to avoid something, this card advises you that what you are waiting for will soon come to you. This card wants you to face the situation head-on and learn from it. This lesson will help you in the future.