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Two Of Swords Tarot Card
Temperance tarot card

Card reading

The Two of Swords

 
 
 

The Two Of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

The Two of Swords is a card that affects most people now and again in their lives and when the time comes it is never a comfortable position to be in.

Nevertheless, sometimes the cycles of stasis inevitably become the reasons that we push ourselves so hard to progress. In this, though the season you are in is difficult, there is an added perspective of necessity in it as well. The Two of Swords is the card of being stuck in the middle and being afraid to move.

There are in fact so many options at your disposal at this moment that you fear making a move in case it is the wrong move, therefore, your hands are tied and you are stuck. Understandably this is not a position in which you would prefer to stay, so you desire with great strength to push out of it, but you don’t know where to start. You desire to have a new approach to life, but your emotions play a large role in your current circumstances and that is making it difficult for you to decide what you should do. You want to be the peacemaker, but you tend to do so at the expense of your own voice or opinions, thereby devaluing yourself. Your need for stability is now in conflict with your need to create change, thus creating the stalemate in that you find yourself in.

The image on the card in the Rider Waite Deck depicts a woman who is balancing two swords on her shoulders, representing the sharp edges she has placed herself against due to indecision. She is blindfolded representing the overall blindness to her life, and the situations that she has gotten herself into. Behind her are rocks in the sea, representing the ease of trapping those who are not allowed room for flexibility in their lives. The New Moon also shines down upon her which shows the tension in relationships, both friendship and other. She has a well-developed sense of balance, but her particular rhythm and ability to hone in on that have been compromised.

At this point in time, the Two of Swords is telling you that there is no confusion present, none that you are not already aware of. You are currently choosing to keep your eyes closed to possibilities so that you do not have to make a difficult choice. Sometimes these choices can come in the form of having to choose between friends, or getting involved in overly dramatic situations. Sometimes you are being asked a direct question and for the purpose of not hurting the person that you are involved with you are just choosing to refrain from a response, which is putting you AND your loved one in a frustrating position. In the attempts that you have made to save yourself from having to be hurt as a result of making a choice you have begun to close off your heart and this is producing deep levels of unhappiness.All of your actions at this time are being influenced not by your meditative and calm self, but by erratic and conflicted emotions, which is never a good position to be in for any long period of time.

Now is the time for you to consider a solution, there is an action that must be taken. You must give in and have faith in your intuition and in a connection with a higher source of energy to get you through this time. When you do this, you are allowing for your inner peace to be restored which will breathe life back into your veins. Consider the fact that you are unable to see your options, so your personal perspective may be skewed. Therefore in addition to focusing on communicating with your higher self, you must also seek help from others who are capable of assisting you objectively. If you do not know someone like this in your personal life, then a professional influence would be equally, if not more so, beneficial. The key is to gather information from varying perspectives so that you can weigh out the pros and the cons of your decision pragmatically. By listening to your emotions, you will know when the time has come to act. In so doing, you will find recognition in your path as well as the success of getting out of the pit of non-movement. While you process this card, consider what it is that you are avoiding, who are you having a hard time reconciling with and what decisions would you prefer to not know about or make?

The Two of Swords in Love

When the Two of Swords presents itself in your reading regarding love and relationships then you will need to make a decision. Right now you have put yourself in the position of consistent indecision which is tampering with your perspective. If you are single then in love this means that you are either avoiding pursuing something for fear of being shot down, or you are pursuing more than one person at a time and you are not appropriately giving your full attention to any one person. You need to choose. You cannot keep going this way. If you are in a relationship that is having problems, then the Two of Swords is showing you that now is the time for you to call those problems out and find actual solutions. The lack of momentum being built between you and your partner is harmful. Seek counseling if you cannot decide what to do on your own.

The Two of Swords in Health

The Two of Swords in Health represents a level of being split in half on how to appropriately care for yourself and others. There is a division in attention span; you are sacrificing too much to give to others who are ill, thereby creating the possibility of making yourself ill. You must find the balance between the two, and even if it is painful sometimes, you need to create time for yourself to process everything that has gone on. You do not want to create a level of sickness for yourself just so that you can get a break. That is not healthy.

The Two of Swords in Work and Wealth

The Two of Swords in Work and Wealth exemplifies the concept of being torn in two directions. What a situation the lady in the picture has found herself in! This is not a great place for anyone to be, especially in a work situation. It is as if she is defending herself, feeling isolated and blinded to the truth. I do like to think that the blindfold is more about meditating of the next move. If her arms move even for a moment she might fall over into the sea behind her. The problem with this card in a career context is that sudden moves may indicate that a person is trying to protect themselves. Either you or someone you work with is “between a rock and a hard place” there is not answer, but this person has two choices to make. In both choices, quiet contemplation is required and a difficult decision is required to move on. As her arms are crossed over the heart chakra it can symbolize a decision with the head rather than the heart. Currently, there is a possibility for you to work in two entirely different venues. You see for yourself a desire to move onto something that is more creatively stimulating, where you might be able to potentially help more people, but you are afraid of making the leap. Consider your options at this time. If making the leap is not safe, financially, then begin taking the steps toward making yourself financially ready for such an experience and that will get the ball rolling for you.

The Two Of Swords in Yes Or No Readings

It feels great to shift your gear away from reality when you draw the two of swords in a yes or no reading. It's telling you that it is a matter of personal preference whether to use two swords. A single sword is sufficient for some people, but others prefer the flexibility and versatility of two swords. Individual comfort level, experience, and skill are all important factors. Before deciding which way to go, it's important to practice both styles and determine which style suits your needs better. In the end, only you can decide whether two swords are right for you. In Yes Or No readings the card tells you the answer is “yes.”
 
The swords you use should be of good quality and well-maintained, no matter what route you choose. When blades are poorly made or poorly maintained, they will not perform or perform as well as those that are correctly made and properly maintained. For the best experience, make sure you understand how to use two swords simultaneously.
 
The decision to use two swords ultimately rests with you. The use of two swords for self-defense and target practice can be excellent with proper practice and maintenance. Practice with different styles and consider your individual needs before deciding.

 

Two of swords in the advice position of a spread

Two of swords in an advisory position suggests that you need to review a situation in it’s full. The blindfold that is worn on the picture of this card suggests that things are hidden. Things are hidden from your view and the advice is that you need to look past everything. In the advice position, the two of swords can also suggest that you are not letting anyone understand you right now. As the two swords are both heavy and the women holds these swords across her body it represents the “control” of emotions. The two of swords also represents being “closed off” in life and the choppy water behind her is a representation of the emotions that you feel.

This card often appears when one feels they are “walking on eggshells” this maybe a situation or a relationship that you are not sure will yield many problems. The advice here is to try to understand others better. The key phase in this tarot card is seeking your own inner direction and guidance in life. Try to remove your blindfold through meditation. Can you see all your options? For an advice position the two of swords can also suggest that one wants to see what is in front of them but they are blinded. You can only sit in a position for a limited amount of time (before the swords become too heavy) and you need to keep protecting what you have achieved. You need balance and insight to truly understand a problem in life.

reversed two of swords

Reversed Meaning - Two Of Swords

When the Two of Swords appears in your reading in the reversed position this is symbolic of a season of perpetual motion. You are making positive choices for yourself, you are not afraid to make a wrong decision because you have learned, ‘What does not kill you makes you stronger.’If you are still feeling stuck, just remember that the Two of Swords reversed is assisting you with the backing that you need to pursue bigger and better things. You do not have to stay stuck. Allow yourself the time that you need to relax, your affairs might be moving too quickly for you but do not let that get you down. Make sure that you do not make rash commitments to others before you have thought them through, primarily because your main focus needs to be on handling yourself and your affairs. The blindfold has been removed and you can see things clearly. Take actions that bring you positivity.

Upright Two of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Blind to the truth
  • Unable to see forward
  • Emotional detachment
  • Denying your emotions
  • Suppressed anger
  • Fear of rejection
  • Self-defense

Reversed Two of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Chilling in comfort zone
  • Simple happiness
  • Ordinary life
  • Acceptance
  • Feeling numb
  • Unwilling
  • Not focused on dreams

Temperance

 

 
 

The Temperance Tarot Card Meaning

The Temperance card often comes up in a reading when you need to learn or understand the concept of all things in moderation. It is a card of joining forces, working together, uniting opposites, and spiritual balance with the end result being a harmonious mix of all things. It begs the question: In what ways are you over-extending yourself or being too rigid? Like most cards in the Rider Waite deck, this card is rich in symbolism. Temperance by its very meaning is a bending of one's will to the direction of the almighty. The card depicts this through multiple layers of symbolism. Usually noticed first is how the card shows an archangel (often said to be Michael) mixing water between two chalices as a representation of balance between the elements and the dissolution of the liquids between each other. Both he and the mountains in the background are touched with a halo of gold, radiating understanding that comes with age and time. A commonly missed symbolism is the feet of the angel, one in the water and one upon the land which reinforces the concept of balance and of both body and mind.

Many querents will be reactive to this card, because often it is shining light on a flaw within them or within a relationship that they are seeking to develop. Temperance calls to question your true priorities in life and requires that you be sure that you are not the one blocking your own success by stretching yourself too thin or unwilling to meet in the middle on a significant issue. Try hard to see things from the universe’s perspective and understand that the tarot is not pointing a finger at you directly, but merely trying to guide you to lessen your load. Taking on too much or too little can be detrimental to your purpose at this time.

Temperance in Love

When seeking advice from the tarot about love and relationships, the Temperance card indicates a need for balance in either the relationship your relationship. If you are currently single then the card is more direct and states that there is likely something blocking you from love in your life and usually represents the fact that you are giving too much in another area. For example, you are looking for love but are you really ready for it? Are there other commitments in your life such as work or family that are holding you back and taking too many resources and creating a situation where you are unlikely to be successful?

Temperance As Feelings

In a relationship reading for feelings, the temperance card will show a need for balance between both individuals. This card is drawn when compromise and compassion are needed between two people. It can represent fighting and strife. Remember that you are in the relationship with your partner for a reason and when this card comes up it is apparent that there is a true emotional connection. It is a positive card that tells you that this relationship is worth the extra effort at this time.

The Temperance tarot card can also signal a delicate balance between fire and water. It reflects that we all have the power to control our emotions, even when things around us seem chaotic. It speaks of suppressed feelings and holding back on expressing people in order to maintain peace.

The card often represents the need for patience and understanding as it relates to our feelings –--- the idea of controlling ourselves rather than letting others control us. We tend to mirror others' behavior, which can lead to feeling like we are walking on eggshells when those around us are unpredictable or volatile.

Temperance also speaks about reality versus fakery, sometimes being too trusting or naive that literally leads us into a web of lies, where everything is surface level with no depth at all. It’s important to stay balanced and grounded while still experiencing life’s joyous moments, feeling secure enough in ourselves that we don't have anything to hide or prove from anyone else's perspective.

This tarot card contains a message about trust – with yourself as well as with those who mean something special in your life -and how allowing yourself the freedom of expression within these relationships can bring harmony into every aspect of your life.

Temperance in Health

In regards to health and wellness, the Temperance card is an omen that you need to either take it back or turn it up a notch. Both ends of the spectrum can be bad for one’s health – being slothful or being too lax with your health can be just as bad as overexerting yourself or doing too much. We usually see this card when health issues are on the rise and it is likely that you have already noticed deterioration in your wellness in some way. The positive news is that it is not too late to do something positive and see improvement. Think of this as a warning to take a keen look at your own mind and body and see where additional care needs to be taken. The answer will be quite obvious as rarely ever does someone in peak physical condition pull this card. If you feel however that physical health is not a problem, it is also indicative of mental health and can do not ignore signs or symptoms of anxiety, depression, or overindulgent behavior.

Temperance in Work and Wealth

Right now you need to take your money and put it under your mattress and be careful of taking risks. While the card itself means balance, more often than not when it comes to money and career it is a sign to take a step back and be more conservative with your income. It’s a touchy time for you to be taking huge risks in either avenue of your life. You need to be very careful with actions you take and possibilities that seem to arise at this time are not as good as they seem. Often this card will show that it is a good time to wait on an opportunity that arises, stating that with patience you will see a better one down the road that will pan out more fruitfully for you. A rule of thumb with the Temperance card and financial aspects be it money or work is: If it’s too good to be true… it probably is.

 

Temperance reversed tarot card

Reversed Temperance in a reading

In the reversed position indicates a personal balance is needed and the card is usually more internal than external. Rather than looking around and pointing fingers at others, now is an excellent time to see where you personally can scale back, create harmony in a rough situation, or literally suck it up. With the reversal of Temperance we see an even wider swing of negativity around as well. Health problems you have require more attentive care, financial problems need to be curbed immediately, and in relationships you need to seek the truth of the matter before making a decision. Often this card is drawn when a person is in a downward spiral situation and is unable to see the rational side of the problem. You need to stop and ask yourself where you could use assistance in your life to get back on track and possibly consider seeking advice from others to turn your perspective to a more productive and healthy outlook.