Hey everyone,
I’ve been looking into the 3 of Swords after pulling it as a "What I can accomplish" card, but all I’m seeing is how heavy and depressing it seems. Is there any positive side to this card that I might be missing?
Thanks!
Hey everyone,
I’ve been looking into the 3 of Swords after pulling it as a "What I can accomplish" card, but all I’m seeing is how heavy and depressing it seems. Is there any positive side to this card that I might be missing?
Thanks!
Absolutely, there are positive aspects to the 3 of Swords, even though it's often viewed as a tough card. While it typically represents heartbreak, loss, or emotional pain, it also signifies important breakthroughs that come after the hurt. Sometimes, the 3 of Swords can show the clarity that comes from facing painful truths, leading to deeper self-awareness and growth. It’s like the saying, “the truth hurts, but it sets you free.”
If you pulled it as a "What you can accomplish" card, it might be indicating that you have the ability to move through difficult emotions and come out stronger on the other side. It’s a reminder that by addressing pain or conflict head-on, you can clear the air and make space for healing. You may need to face something uncomfortable to accomplish a more genuine emotional state or get to the heart of what really matters in your life.
In short, while the 3 of Swords is challenging, it can lead to emotional liberation and clarity—sometimes you need to feel the hurt to truly heal.
Every card has both good and bad sides. When I first started learning Tarot, I used to really dread the 3 of Swords. It was the first card that seemed to "stalk" me. No matter how I shuffled the deck, I kept catching glimpses of it, and sure enough, it was always the card I’d end up pulling in readings. I’d secretly "pray" not to get it, but of course, I always did.
One day, I asked myself, why am I so afraid of this card? I realized it was reflecting my own fears—rejection, abandonment, betrayal, being cheated on or left behind. Then I thought, okay, what if I do pull the 3 of Swords and something bad happens, like my boyfriend leaves me? Well, if he does, he’s probably not that great anyway, and eventually, I’ll move on and look back, thinking, “Wow, good riddance!”
That’s when I started to see the 3 of Swords differently. It became a card about overcoming pain—whether it’s heartbreak, loss, betrayal, or sadness. Once I made that shift, the card stopped scaring me, and it actually stopped "stalking" me, too. Now when I see the 3 of Swords while shuffling or pull it in a reading, I’m almost amused. I think the reason it stuck around so much was to teach me that Tarot, like life, isn’t just black and white—it’s full of shades of gray.
AntonTaro
This is really helpful! I've been seeking to understand what the "3" on this card means. If you look at other suits, the 3s stand for connections, relationships, and growth. For example, the 3 of Cups represents happiness, the 3 of Pentacles for teamwork, and the 3 of Wands for forward motion. Why does the Three of Swords feel so heavy?
I really understand how you see it. It makes sense that the heart can sometimes lead us wrong, just like the mind can. Because of our feelings, we can get into things that aren't good for us. One way to look at this card is that the mind is finally stepping in to help the heart figure out what's going on, which can be a good thing!
I love the 3 of Swords! Sure, it’s often linked to heartbreak, but when I pull it, I find it oddly comforting. To me, it feels like a reminder that, in the midst of pain, only you know when you're ready to start healing and move forward. It tells me to trust myself and give myself the space I need, whether it’s saying, "Hey, it’s okay if you’re not ready yet," or "You’re finally in a place where you can start moving on." It all depends on the context, but I find it pretty reassuring!
Hey, great question!
Absolutely, every card is neutral and can swing positive or negative depending on the spread, the person you’re reading for, the question, and so on. I may have a slightly different take than most—I tend to read based on the elements first and only bring in traditional meanings occasionally.
For "What I can accomplish" with the 3 of Swords, here’s an elemental breakdown:
Putting it all together:
One of my favorite personal meanings for the 3 of Swords is “Creating a lifestyle that reflects the true me.”
You can also come up with your own meanings by blending the elements of 3 and Swords. Here are a few examples:
Let me know what you think!
You're exactly right—the traditional meaning of the Rider-Waite card 3 of Swords is pretty clear with its sadness theme. I believe there is a good side to it as well. It can be a much-needed break or a chance to get better. You should take a step back and let yourself heal when your heart hurts.
An elemental level, the Swords suit is connected to air, which was connected to blood in old Greek medicine. This means that the card could also mean "new blood" being pumped into your heart, which could mean new ideas or energy that help you move forward.
Whatever tarot card you look at, it always shows a mix of emotions. There is no such thing as a 100% good or bad card. It all rests on the reading and the situation.
Thanks so much! Even most websites don’t have much positive to say about it, aside from maybe "seeing the painful truth"—which still isn’t exactly uplifting. It’s tough to dig up the good in some of these descriptions!