ELEMENT
Air
AIR POWERWORDS
Mind / Thoughts / Communication
THREE OF SWORDS POWERWORDS
Grief
QUICK MEANING
The Three of Swords means you are suffering from grief or or you may meet it soon. It might be through loss or betrayal.
TRADITIONAL MEANING
The traditional meaning of this card is betrayal and the grief that comes from that. It represents intentional betrayal by others. In modern times it also means deep grief.
CARD DESCRIPTION
A heart is suspended in the sky. Three swords pierce the heart and in the background we can see heavy storm clouds and rain.
SYMBOLS
Heart
The heart. Outside the body. Open. Vulnerable.
Three Swords
The three swords are piercing the heart. Words can hurt us. Actions can hurt us. We feel the pain in our heart as if it has been stabbed. There is no where to hide – the feeling takes over. The greatest pain comes from the memories which is in the realm of the mind and the element of Air.
Clouds
The clouds indicate stormy emotions and moods. Heavy and foreboding. Stormy and moody like our thoughts.
Rain
The rain reminds us of gloomy days and ones where we want to hide at home away from life. Rain also reminds us of tears. Tears that sometimes feel they will never end.
THOUGHTS ON THIS CARD
I find this card so heavy and depressing. I dread when I pick it or when it comes up in a reading for others. Grief is part of being human in this world that we live in, yet it never gets easier. Each loss is fresh and deep and opens up the old wounding’s from the past. Grief can in fact kill us. It is a card that makes us feel so alone in how we feel. When we experience grief our ego tells us no one can understand our pain. Yet every single one of us has or will meet grief.
I also see this card come up with betrayals. If it appears with the Devil card then a partner is usually having an affair or being secretive. I have read for women in the past where this card came up and confirmed their suspicions about their partner. It is hard to explain to a woman that her man is cheating on her. How do I know it? By the cards, by the feeling in my belly, by the question asked and the energy in the reading. I usually put the question back to the woman. Are you worried about your partner? Are you concerned about something? Is there trust between you? What the woman decides to do about the card is up to her but I try and get some supportive and strengthening cards that she can go home with. Sometimes the woman is having the affair and she is terrified of being found out or she cannot contain the secret anymore. Again it is important to not be judgmental and simply be supportive and allow them to find the next action step in their lives.
If you are reading cards for someone and you are not sure what the Three of Swords means, then do not mention betrayal. Be responsible and let the client lead the way.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE THIS CARD MORE
What is happening right now to you?
What have you lost?
When you feel deep grief can you remember another time you felt as sorrowful? Could it be you are grieving for now and also for then?
Are you allowing yourself to be in the moment with this grief and accepting it?
What are you doing to help yourself right now?
Are you asking for help?
Can you hold onto something to get you through this time – friends, family, spirituality?
GOLDEN DAWN / QABALA
The Hermetic title for this card is ‘Lord of Sorrow’
On the Tree of Life, the Number Three cards sit on the Sphiroth Binah which represents understanding. After the energy from the Divine enters Kether at the top of the Tree of Life, it next flows to Chokhmah. Chokhmah is the place of wisdom. The energy then flows onto Binah which is the feminine energy of understanding. Sometimes we need to stop, stand back and understand the full picture before proceeding. It can also mean sitting fully in the experience and in this case it is deep grief and sorrow.
ASTROLOGICAL
Ruled by Saturn in Libra
THREE OF SWORDS REVERSED
When we get the Three of Swords reversed we still feel grief but the energy is less intense. Either we feel less grief or we simply are not allowing ourselves to feel its full force. If I see The Moon or High Priestess near this card reversed I know they are not fully expressing their grief – I sense there is suppression in the subconscious. Other signs of grief not being expressed fully is a sensation of a lump in the throat, inability to cry, deep sighing, breast issues, heart pain and chest infections.
Two important questions to consider with a reversed Three of Swords:
Am I allowing myself too fully feel the emotions welling up inside of me?
If I allow myself to feel this grief, what is the worst thing that can happen to me?