Three of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

Three of Swords Tarot Card Meaning signifies emotional pain and heartbreak but also offers hope for healing and growth. Learn about its upright and reversed meanings in love, career, and more.

About Three of Swords Tarot Card

Although placed in the category of the difficult cards, the Three of Swords presents a number of very powerful and enlightening meanings. It refers to a period which is generally awash with feelings of sorrow and it can denote a break up, loss, or even a kind of betrayal. At the same time, it inspires to face essential traumas, self-opens and to receive power and comfort.

We will look into the meaning of Three of Swords and particularly the upright and reversed. We will look at the various aspects of this card and the possible lifestyles and issues it symbolizes and the plus and minus it carries. 

  • Upright Keywords: Sadness, Grief, Loss, Separation, Heartbreak
  • Reversed Keywords: Recovery, Healing, Reconciliation, Forgiveness, Closure
  • Life Situations: Ending a relationship, Losing a loved one, Facing a difficult truth, Experiencing a betrayal
  • Positive Attributes: Empathy, Compassion, Resilience, Strength, Wisdom
  • Negative Attributes: Sorrow, Despair, Bitterness, Anger, Resentment

Three of Swords Tarot Card Description

The Three of Swords is a card that often evokes strong emotions when it appears in a tarot reading. Visually, it depicts a heart pierced by three swords, set against a backdrop of a stormy sky. This imagery speaks volumes about the card’s core meaning: emotional pain, heartbreak, and sorrow.

The heart at the center symbolizes our emotional core, while the three swords represent the sharp sting of loss, betrayal, or disappointment. The gray clouds overhead suggest a sense of heaviness and despair, reflecting the emotional turmoil one experiences during such difficult times.

This card doesn’t shy away from depicting the raw and sometimes agonizing aspects of life. It’s a cruel reality of human existence that heartbreak is a part of life we have to endure. Iit is crucial to make sure that the Three of Swords is not solely about pain and suffering. The rain that has fallen in the image may be interpreted as a purifying essence, as in emotional catharsis, which also requires a certain transformation for regeneration.

Despite the uncomfortable feeling that is associated with the meaning of the Three of Swords, it is also a card that also offers a hopeful outlook. It helps to come to terms with our suffering, feel the sadness, and let the mourning itself. That is why suffering, when met directly, allows for growth and learning from the experience and becomes part of who we are.

Upright Three of Swords General Meaning

In the upright position, the Three of Swords symbolizes that you are going through a phase of suffering and sorrows. This symbol often refers to suffering, which may be caused by a breakup, death of a friend/relative or acts of betrayal. This card can be considered as evidence that you are currently dealing with a complicated situation that makes you feel upset.

Nevertheless, here, where the Three of Swords has been revealed, there is also hope and a message about the future healing. It implies that even though the present circumstances are still tough, there is hope for change. This means that dealing with your emotions will pave way for new found strength once you have cried.

  • Upright Love Meaning: heartbreak, separation, betrayal, sadness
  • Upright Money & Career Meaning: Job loss, financial difficulties, setbacks, disappointment
  • Upright Health Meaning: Emotional stress affecting physical well-being, potential for illness or injury
  • Upright Spirituality Meaning: A time of deep introspection and soul-searching, confronting inner shadows

❤️ Upright Three of Swords Meaning in Love & Relationships

As for the Three of Swords, upright, it is never a joyful experience when it appears in the context of love affairs. This is usually associated with a break up, loss of love, or a feeling of being betrayed. It can also refer to lack of affection or companionship within a particular relationship. It might also mean that you have not healed from past breakups or abusive relationships and are not ready to get into another.

The message to take home from this card is that you are supposed to let yourself feel the pain and cry. You don’t have to be happy all the time; it is okay to be sad, angry, or disappointed. Self-healing requires time, and if the person attempts to skip it or hide their pain, they may find themselves suffering even more. Always bear in mind that admitting to having such feelings is the first step towards changing for the better.

The Three of Swords teaches that eventually, this suffering becomes a valuable life lesson and a source of strength. It will leave you with some valuable lessons and self-discovery on what you should expect in a relationship.

💸 Upright Three of Swords Meaning in Money & Career 

In matters of finance and work, the Three of Swords can indicate tough times. It may also signal problems, such as delays, difficulties in generating income, or loss of employment. Sadness may stem from a disappointment or frustration in never meeting expectations or working on a project that you expected to go well but did not. Another reason may be that you feel there is little recognition or appreciation of your work in your present job.

Despite not giving off a sweet picture, this card shows that it is only for now and can be changed for the better. The Three of Swords tells you to think twice and look for any missteps that may need to be corrected. It is a period of self contemplation and maybe even reconsideration of your career path.

Bear in mind, there’s always a lesson to learn, even in the most difficult circumstances. This is a good time to grow as a person, to gain experience, and to be more prepared to face the next challenges in your life.

💚 Upright Three of Swords Meaning in Health

The upright Three of Swords can point to a period of vulnerability due to emotional turmoil, and how it may affect your health. It is an eye-opener that demystifies the fact that physical and mental health are not two different things, but one complicated entity. This card indicates an emotional pain such as heartache, grief, or disappointment and these are usually manifested by physical ailments like fatigue, headaches, or digestive disorders.

You need to be more attentive to your bodily cues and take proper care of yourself at this time. Allow yourself to take breaks, eat well, indulge in the things that you find soothing and pleasing. Of course, do not underestimate the importance of paying attention to your emotions as much as you pay attention to your body.

If you find yourself plagued by these or any other physical suffering, you should always consult with your physician. The Three of Swords shows that you have to get a balanced approach and remember that healing is as much mental as it is physical.

🔮 Upright Three of Swords Meaning in Spirituality

On the spiritual level, the upright Three of Swords indicates that it is time for contemplation and reflection about the things we believe in or fight for. It may signify searching for something that has been repressed or a period when you have to face the bitter fact. You may feel disappointed, disillusioned, or may even be in a state of having an existential crisis about your set values.

This card is about being open and to let go of any resistance and allow emotions in and feel it all. It is an inspiring statement that tells us that no matter how bleak life may seem there is always hope for the soul to be renewed. It means that by being courageous and kind to yourself, you can confront your suffering and let go of the pain and negativity that hinder your growth.

Reversed Three of Swords General Meaning

The traditional interpretation of the Three of Swords card is that it represents suffering, pain, and heartbreak; therefore, the reversed position of the card is an indication of a change of pace. It might mean that the pain still lingers but you are now able to analyze your feelings and find a way to cope with it.

It may express moving on, forgiveness, gradual healing of a broken heart and most importantly may portray the advancement of a new improved relationship. It suggests that there is a new perspective that can be found and allows you to look at the problem in a different way. It is a time of light and constant hope which may be overshadowed by certain painful memories in the past.

The reversed Three of Swords is a prompt to keep moving on the journey of healing that the initial card indicated. It’s a message that healing is a process and it is important not to put pressure on ourselves. Overcoming the challenges it has brought can help design the future with more confidence and make you less vulnerable to new adversities.

  • Reversed Love Meaning: Healing from heartbreak, forgiveness, moving on, opening up to new possibilities
  • Reversed Money & Career Meaning: Recovery from setbacks, finding solutions, improved communication, optimism
  • Reversed Health Meaning: Emotional healing leading to improved physical well-being, reduced stress
  • Reversed Spirituality Meaning: Releasing past hurts, finding inner peace, renewed faith, spiritual growth

❤️ Reversed Three of Swords Meaning in Love & Relationships

Speaking of love and relationships, the reversed Three of Swords is a breath of fresh air. It suggests a progressive process of moving on from past losses in friendship and relationships. The painful sensation has retreated somewhat and is being replaced gradually by forgiveness and new hope.

If you have been struggling in your relationship, particularly where there has been a recent break up or issues that are affecting the relationship, this reversal could be a sign that the situation is improving and you are coming to the end of the tunnel. It is about recalling what has happened, and more importantly, moving forward despite the past experiences.

Regarding relationships, if you are single, the reversed Three of Swords means you are willing to start loving again. With a new beautiful, young and healthy heart you seemed to have left the marks of the past behind but still sensitive enough to look forward to new love. It is an opportunity for hope and emotional development and developing more positive and constructive relationships.

💸 Reversed Three of Swords Meaning in Money & Career

Concerning money and career, the reversed Three of Swords is rather a joyful card. If you have been stagnated or even moving backwards in areas of your job, finances, or in personal failures, this is telling you that luck is turning in your favor.

It indicates that you are coming out of the problem phase and are on the way to solving them. You are likely getting more direction about your future in your career and have a more positive outlook about life. Now is good to go back and continue any projects that you may have set aside in the past and start taking action towards your goals.

This card also advocates for free flow of information and working together as a team. If you have been dealing with battles or misunderstandings in the workplace, the reversed Three of Swords indicates that it is time to solve those issues and seek a common ground. Bear in mind that you are not alone in this journey, healing and progression – in all aspects of life including the professional front– is very much achievable.

💚 Reversed Three of Swords Meaning in Health

In health reading, when the Three of Swords is reversed, you can imagine a dissipation of the storm. It is a time of coming together and regenerating, especially from psychological injuries that could have been having negative impacts on the body.

If recently you were complaining of stress-related symptoms or a general feeling of being weighed down by emotional issues, this card is a sign that things are on the improve. That’s right – you probably have changed some negative coping mechanisms for dealing with problems and taking better care of yourself. It is a time to feel refreshed and to develop positive attitudes towards personal health.

Just know that the healing process is gradual; it is a must that you practice patience towards yourself. Keep on enhancing your mental, physical, and spiritual fitness. Then reversed, Three of Swords encourages you to remember that you possess the power and endurance to easily deal with the potential health issues.

🔮 Reversed Three of Swords Meaning in Spirituality

Through the lens of spirituality, the reversed Three of Swords is interpreted as a movement towards forgiveness and healing. It implies that you are letting go of an emotional wound and beginning to experience acceptance and contentment. If you have ever felt guilty, shameful or resentful about a situation? This card signals that it’s time to move on.

It signifies the time of spiritual regeneration and rebirth. You may be returning to a church or exploring new forms of spirituality that are helpful in providing comfort. The Three of Swords reversed indicates that it is time for you to embrace forgiveness and be forgiving towards yourself and others.

This card tells us that the bitterest grudge can be washed away and in forgiving others, we may free ourselves. It’s a call to grow from the experiences of the soul and leave no room for regret in your spiritual evolution.

Three of Swords in a Yes or No Card Reading

The Three of Swords belongs to the negative tarot cards and usually says “No” when performing the Yes or No tarot reading; It is associated with sorrow, heartbreak or faced with choices that are very hard to make. The card’s energy is not of happiness, or of the couple getting their wish in a healthy fashion, that is for sure. This means when your dream is to gain something, it warns that some roadblock, slowdown, or maybe a reality check can slow this down or even make it impossible.

Upright Position

The upright position of the Three of Swords suggests a “No” and means that the given situation may result in sorrow, grief or disappointment. Before that, it becomes necessary to slow down and look for other options to take.

Reversed Position

The reversed version stands out as the real positive card but it is the Three of Swords. It is not a resounding, “Yes”, for change and the possibilities of healing and recovery, but it is not a “No” either. There is hope for the result, however, it may take time and effort, as well as the ability to face some emotions which are not comfortable.

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Popular Questions about Three of Swords

What is the core message of the Three of Swords?

The Three of Swords represents heartbreak, sorrow, and pain, reminding us that these emotions are a natural part of life.

Is the Three of Swords always a negative card?

While the Three of Swords can be painful, it’s not entirely negative. It also signifies healing, release, and the potential for growth after a difficult period.

What can the Three of Swords indicate in a love reading?

In a love context, this card often points to a breakup, betrayal, or deep emotional hurt. It can also suggest feeling lonely or disconnected in a relationship.

How does the reversed Three of Swords differ in meaning?

The reversed Three of Swords indicates recovery and healing from past pain. It signifies moving forward, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of hope.

Can the Three of Swords have positive implications?

Yes, absolutely. While it represents pain, it also highlights the strength and resilience we gain by facing our emotions and overcoming challenges. The card encourages us to acknowledge our feelings and allow ourselves to heal, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

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