Two of Swords

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Alice23	27 Apr 2005
Hi everyone. The two of swords is a puzzling card to me.....does anybody have any wisdom on what it means - especially in relation to how somebody feels about you?. This came up in two recent spreads for me, the first question being what he really wants from me, the second how he feels about me, this card coming up both times. I know from the symbolism in the RW the girl is blindfolded and one book says she's not sure which direction to go in whilst others say friendship!?! Would be very interested to hear what everyone else thinks. Apologies if this was more suitable for the spreads section! Alice xx

MattDouglas	27 Apr 2005
the figure in the RWCS version is choosing to hold onto the swords (thoughts, ideas) rather than put them down and take off the blindfold. Thus I oftne interpret this as indicting denial. In your case, it sounds like this guy wants to keep things very superficial to keep things "safe" rather than really relate to you or anyone else. Hope that helps. Love, understanding, and compassion, Matt

Foxyangel	27 Apr 2005
I see this as a card of indecision... the person can't decide what they want or what they feel... they are at an impasse... until something happens to make them take action they will happily keep the status quo and change nothing. hugs foxyangel :)

Sulis	27 Apr 2005
I think it could mean that he's feeling undecided about how he feels. 2s suggest choice. The image on the Rider Waite deck shows a woman holding 2 swords crossed across her heart chakra - not letting emotions in or out. Maybe this guy has been hurt in the past and takes things slowly in relationships. Those swords are heavy though, she can't hold them like that forever. I think that the situation depicted by the 2 of swords is usually a temporary one, he'll have to choose what he wants to do soon. Love Sulis xx

Mesara	27 Apr 2005
Sometimes I interpret it as reconciliation, a brief moment in which the fighting ceases and peace is maintained, though it is only a temporary peace.

psychic sue	28 Apr 2005
This card can mean someone who is holding back emotionally for fear of being hurt. The blindfold would be easy to remove, but they are too busy holding those swords which are protecting their heart. If they put the swords down and took off the blindfold, they would see that the sea is quite calm. That's just one scenario for this card. Sue x

Rogan	28 Apr 2005
The two of swords is one of my favourite cards... I agree a lot with Sulis... I see the woman in this card in "Safe-Mode" - She's blindfolded - Blinded to any fact - And she's protecting herself (....her heart chakra...) from anyone who approaches... Also she's keeping balance doing this - Nothing is wrong, but nothing is right with her - She's not acknowledging either possibilities. And while she's protecting herself - She's also blindfolded - She may strike out at anyone who approaches to help her, friend or foe... So watch out.

zombi00	30 Apr 2005
Amen Rogan. coincidentally it's my favorite card as well.

Julien	30 Apr 2005
I'll echo some of what has been said -- I see this as a card where the indecision has gotten to such a point in a person's mind that she decides not to decide -- chooses not to see the options. I also think it's temporary and when those swords come down things change fast. Also, the book that talked about friendship -- well, friendship is often the default spot when someone can't decide whether they want to advance a relationship. It can be represented by the two of swords, I think, because the friendship is really a choice to maintain a holding pattern rather than either walk away or move forward... One other thought -- I've found that when the indecision lifts, often there's a secret revealed, too. Secrets thoughts, or maybe it's that one thing that the person is not telling that is creating the indecision. Best, Julien

mike gorth	30 Apr 2005
I think for your reading it seems like someone feels trapped by you. This is more of an 8 of swords meaning but I get alternate meanings between the two. This card usually means like you aren't currently aware of what is going on around you but are keeping it well in order. You might feel pressured and suspect something but at the moment can't do anything except let it run it's course. Mike Gorth

Thirteen	30 Apr 2005
Alice23 wrote: This came up in two recent spreads for me, the first question being what he really wants from me, the second how he feels about me There's yet another way to look at this. The woman has been chosen to arbitrate a fight. She takes away both swords, forcing there to be peace, and is blindfolded to indicate impartiality, that she favors neither--like blind justice. Notice that the swords are (depending on the card) either held wide apart, or crossed but still, frozen in the "almost fight" but not yet fight position. Another indication of forcing there to be peace. This is often a card of compromise. As said, it is a temporary compromise, one that probably won't last but for the moment, stops the fighting and gets a grudging agreement from both parties to put the swords away--or given that swords are words/mental activity, put away the insults, put downs, arguments, etc. This would indicate that this guy may see you as someone he will have a lot of disagreements with--and he doesn't want that. He wants a censation of hostilities. You don't tell us anything about this guy--if you're already friends with him or if you just want to be friends with him. If you're already friends, then he feels that he always has to make compromises to make you happy. If you're not friends yet, then he feels that you're too high-mantaince, that he'll HAVE to make too many compromises to make you happy (Take note, this is how he feels, not what's necessarily true). Ironically enough, the first question indicates that he wants the compromise to come from your side. In short, if you asked these questions because you like this guy and want to be with him--watch out. He wants you to compromise your thinking to satisfy him (and create a peaceful relationship), but he doesn't want to do the same for you. And in either case, he assumes that any relationship will be temporary anyway.

rainwolf	30 Apr 2005
I see her sitting on dry land, and turning her back on the ocean (emotion) and only letting logic be her guide; in context this may be good or bad. I have always said "indecision" for this card, and reversed i thought of confidence.

Oriana	30 Apr 2005
I know a lot of people have said "indecision" already, and I'm inclined to second that from personal experience. The Two of Swords is one of those cards that seems to follow me around, in readings about myself (seriously, it must show up in at least half my spreads right now! - usually around the advice spot, telling me to make my mind up and then act on it), and I figure it's because I'm a majorly indecisive, waffly, sit-on-the-fence type of person. :D Although of course it's not the only possible interpretation, it does sound quite likely that this guy may not really know what he wants from, or feels about you - he may have conflicting feelings, and be unsure which (if any) he wants to go with. I'm not sure if it would help, but could always try a quick spread to see if it clarifies things - drawing two or three alternatives for the same question (eg, "What does he want from me?"), see if they support each other or suggest conflicting alternatives.

Alice23	30 Apr 2005
Hi everyone, thanks all for your replies - very interesting! The chap in question is someone I've seen three times and certainly like, and we've both said that we like each other etc. However, I havent heard anything from him since, and he has admitted he is nervous and confused - hence the 2 of Swords card. When I did a reading for us both the impression I gave him was the 3 of Swords...so this may be why he's feeling this way.....any more interpretations on this card welcome! Thanks again Alice xx

Elven	30 Apr 2005
Hi Alice 23, I'll go with Rogan on this one.. She is protecting her heart.. from what?.. she cannot see ... she is blind to the world around her .. she does not want to look. When the blindfold comes off, and the swords come down, the 'heart' of the matter will be revealed ... Alice23 is this a guy you went on a 'blind' date with? Or am I confusing it with another post? Many blessings Elven x

Alice23	30 Apr 2005
Hi Elven, thanks for your reply. You're right, this was a blind date, we then went on two more after that.... Alice xx

Statickitten	30 Apr 2005
To me the card means someone who has a decision to make, and wants to make that decision blindfolded so he can't see what the ramifications of that decision will bring. Or it could mean that someone who has a decision to make and is oblivious that he even has a decision to make. He refuses to confront that he has to make a decision. I think deep down he knows that he must make a decision, but on the surface he refuses to look at it. I think he is avoiding what he knows he must do.

caridwen	06 May 2005
Quote: she cannot see ... she is blind to the world around her .. she does not want to look. When the blindfold comes off, and the swords come down, the 'heart' of the matter will be revealed Interesting, but what if all the facts are not on the table? What if, she is protecting herself incase because she knows there may be more... That she cannot make a decision because she isn't aware of everything, hence the blindfold. The blindfold may indiate that, unlike Justice, she isn't able to balance everything equally. So yes, as others have said, an impasse. She can neither move forwards or back. Quote: this was a blind date, we then went on two more after that.... What a great interpretation of this card - a blind date:D There are some excellent suggestions here:)

Cyric the Mad	10 May 2005
The fact that the swords are so huge, to me, suggests a rigid mental state, and a discipline to hold it. She's trying very hard to keep her guard up, but eventually her arms will get tired and she'll have to lower those swords.

The Two of Swords thread was originally posted on 27 Apr 2005 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.