ELEMENT
Air
AIR POWERWORDS
Mind / Thought / Communication
TWO OF SWORDS POWERWORDS
Calm Choice
QUICK MEANING
The Two of Swords is all about being calm, centered and focused and in the place having the ability to know what to do next.
TRADITIONAL MEANING
The Two of Swords is the inner peace of a calm mind and the ability to make clear rational choices from that place. So it is a card about choices and a card about having the ability too do so.
CARD DESCRIPTION
A woman / priestess sits blindfolded on a stone bench. She holds two swords with her arms crossed. The swords point upwards towards the sky.
SYMBOLS
Woman
The woman is serene and meditative. We sense she is wise and can give clear answers. She is blindfolded, possibly to help her be less distracted by the outside world. We are reminded of two cards in this one – The High Priestess who also sits on a stone bench and has the vast sea behind her and the moon at her feet We are also reminded of Justice and the blindfold and the idea of weighing both options. To learn more about the Two of Swords it is good to explore the High Priestess and Justice cards.
Two Swords
The two swords are help strongly in this woman’s hands. She has an inner power and uses the symbol of the sword as one of direct truth and knowledge. Her arms are crossed over her heart. The heart and emotions are not ignored but they are also not allowed to dominate so the inner voice cannot be heard.
Stone Bench
This is a cube shape and is a very important symbol is esoteric Qabala as it describes how the world was created. We create the world with our minds – first by the spark of inspiration (Wands – Fire) and then into the mental realm(Swords – Air).
Sea
Behind the woman is the sea. The sea represents the world of the infinite unconscious which is the engine or controller of the mind. In order too access the unconscious we must become still in our minds. Then deep wisdom can surface.
Moon
The Moon is another symbol of the unconscious. The Moon pulls the tides of the sea, just like the unconscious pulls the mind to and fro . Above the doorway into the Delphic Oracle was written in ancient Greek – KNOW THYSELF. This card really goes deep into this idea. Know yourself, your ego, your desires, wants and needs. Quiet the mind to discover who you really are and what you really want.
Islands and Land in the Distance
The islands and land indicate the places where we can come ashore and process the deep reflective thinking we are doing. Then we do not drown.
REFLECTION ON THE TWO OF SWORDS
I truly love this card. I always look at it and feel a wave of peace wash over me. I know that sometimes in our crazy busy lives it can be hard to feel inner peace. We actually sometimes need to prioritize it or make space for it. Some of us are very uncomfortable to go into that quiet space because our anxiety and emotions can rise up. The negative voices, the fears and the ‘what ifs’. However we can learn how to train our minds to be still.
In this Western World we live in we are bombarded with information and it can be hard to take a break, sit down and meditate. I often dance. I dance with my whole body until I am one with the music. Then I turn it off and sit down and my mind is very still. You can choose any expressive music or you can try an active meditation like the Osho meditations.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE THIS CARD MORE
What decisions do you need to make right now?
Can you create a quiet time and space for yourself to hear your inner voice and wisdom?
You are being called to go within. Are you willing to and how will you do it?
Are you creating quiet time for yourself on a regular basis?
You need to think clearly without strong emotions. What techniques can get you there?
Do you meditate?
Can you take up a regular practice like Yoga or Chi Kung that will bring you to a quiet place inside?
Do you actually know what you REALLY want?
GOLDEN DAWN / QABALA
The Hermetic title for the Two of Swords is ‘Lord of Peace Restored’
On the Tree of Life, the Number Two cards sit on the Sphiroth Chokhmah which represents wisdom. After the energy from the Divine enters Kether it next flows to Chokhmah. Chokhmah is the place of wisdom. What wisdom do you think the Two of Swords holds within it?
ASTROLOGICAL
Ruled by the Moon in Libra
THE TWO OF SWORDS REVERSED
When the Two of Swords comes into your life there is an inability to have a calm mind. You are too busy or too emotional. You are overwhelmed and you simply feel you have no time. In fact it might be like a mantra in your head…I have no time, I have no time…
I see this card coming up when women cannot make their mind up. They have so many thoughts and ideas, often conflicting. There is no quiet space inside to know the right answer. They also can have a lot of emotions that make the decision making more difficult. They cannot or will not create the quiet space to go within and get the answers they need.
Two questions to help you explore this card:
Why do you make yourself so busy or distressed that you cannot get the inner answers that you need?
Are you addicted to the drama of being ‘too busy’?
Two important questions to consider with a reversed Two of Wands:
How much energy are you wasting by not future planning?
What steps can you take today to make your life more manageable?