The Meaning of the Three of Swords in the Tarot Card System

The 3 (Three) of Swords

General Meaning

Separation, farewell, the severing of a relationship, an ending (in love, business, friendship, kinship), sorrow, a painful loss that is hard to come to terms with, heartbreak, a love triangle, betrayal, conflicts with those around you, opposition, enmity. The loss of an important person, pain, anxiety, disappointment, grief. The risk of slipping into a depressive state increases. Apathy after parting from a loved one is possible. Self-doubt, anger, irritability, conflicts.

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Meaning in Situations

The Three of Swords announces that you have something worth crying and grieving over. Most likely, you are currently under stress because a loved one has left you. Or you urgently need to part with someone, because the relationship binding you gives you nothing but heartache and mental torment. Sometimes this card announces illness or warns that your health will decline slightly in the near future. Very often this card is characterized by separation — by parting with something unnecessary. It can also carry a literal meaning — surgical intervention. Sometimes this card is a harbinger of death. But in your situation death can only be spoken of if The Tower, Death, and many reversed Swords cards appear in the spread. If they do not, then this card says you will receive news of someone's death.

The lord of sorrow. Tragic news (not the event itself), grief, tears, a heavy reaction to what is happening. Suffering over someone close, sorrow.

This card is the sore spot that keeps being torn open, while the person is unable to leave that zone. When suffering drags on for a long time, even the smallest troubles grow into a major problem.

Work

Seized goods, various external restrictions: a rent increase, a tax increase, notice of a business closure, and so on. A situation that one can try to remedy.

Health

Heart disease (with the 13th card or the 16th — a heart attack; with the 21st — heart surgery). Problems in the chest area. A psychosomatic condition: the worse the mood, the worse the physical state. You need to rid yourself of your distress so it does not affect your health (talk it out, calm down).

Relationships

A love triangle and/or a broken heart. If there are other people in the spread, it can mean a person torn in two between partners. It can signify one-sided love.

Personality Type

Bears hardships with courage; the school of bitter experience.

Advice and Warning

Advises crying it out and living through the pain. Warns against creating hopeless situations.

Yes or No

"No." A stretch of bad news, dissatisfaction, heavy distress.

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Reversed Meaning

Your heartache is gradually subsiding. The very painful situation you have been going through is coming to an end. Your suffering was simply unbearable, but it is slowly easing, though it will still be felt for a while. Now that the worst is behind you, you are beginning to heal. If you asked about health, you may be facing a minor, uncomplicated surgical procedure or a visit to the dentist.

A dangerous mistake. A hopeless situation.

Reversed Meaning: Work

Inability to restore the business, confiscation, serious financial losses.

Reversed Meaning: Health

A not entirely successful operation.

Reversed Meaning: Relationships

An unfortunate choice that can spoil the next several years. Possible dissatisfaction with your choice in matters of love.

Reversed Meaning: Personality Type

A person caught in a whirlwind of troubles.

Reversed Meaning: Advice and Warning

Advises preparing for trials. Warns that serious trouble may lie ahead.

Reversed Meaning: Yes or No

Insurmountable conflicts; events that are practically pointless to fight against.