Card 52 • swords

Three of Swords

Brief Description

The Three of Swords signals painful truth and heartbreak brought by words or communication that wound the heart more than the mind. It reflects unavoidable knowledge that alters circumstances and causes suffering that must be felt before healing can occur. The card advises acknowledging and accepting the pain, committing to healing, and practicing forgiveness to prevent lingering bitterness. In reverse, it warns of confusion, maliciousness, deceitful speech, and cruelty.

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Divinatory Meaning

We all say we want truth, but the truth, like words, can cut deeply and can wound cruelly. Truth and communication are the realm of Swords and the mind, but in this situation they are only the tools. It is the heart that experiences their effects. Whether or not you asked for this information, you have it and you can't unknow it. Unfortunately, this changes everything, and it will, I'm sorry to say, hurt for a while before it heals.

Advice

Acknowledge and accept this truth; don't try to deny your pain, but also resolve to heal and forgive, or the swords will stay and poison your heart.

Reversed

Confusion, maliciousness, hurtful lies, cruelty.

Visual Description

A pale-faced figure with closed eyes and long, flowing hair fills the upper portion of the card, surrounded by clouds and stars. Three swords pierce a bright red heart at the center, crimson lines running down from the wounds. Two hands flank the heart as if holding or releasing it, and thin vertical lines suggest rain falling through the scene. A black circle at the top contains the Roman numeral III.

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✍️ Deck author(s): Barbara Moore, Rann

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All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].