Have you been avoiding a
decision? Do you have some great rationalizations as to why you should wait?
Are you impatient for change but holding yourself back out of either fear or
apathy? Are you withholding affection from a spouse, friend or child out of
selfishness or spite? Are you trying to make someone earn your trust but in
your heart you know you will never grant it? Expect the Two of Swords to appear
in your Tarot reading if these descriptions hit too close to home. This is the
card of turning your back on love and sticking with a stalemate.
The central
facet of this card is the blindfold. Without it, the crossed arms are a simple
defensive position. With it, the ability to attack or defend is impossible.
This impasse is the core of the Two of Swords. The matching colors of the
blindfold and robe indicate that there is a choice in the wearing of the
blindfold. The swords point off the card, indicating that no goal or definition
of a goal is in sight. The rocky waters indicate that no ship can dock; more
than any other card in the deck, this one illustrates best the concept that
nothing can happen. Swords represent thoughts, ideas and intellect. Meanwhile,
the Moon gives a clue as to the basis of the situation: the Moon is the Tarot's
indicator of intuition. At its core, this card represents a refusal to let your
intuition inform your intellect. You know what is going on, but you either do
not want to believe it or are in denial over what to do about it.
Meaning in
Past, Present and Future Positions
Every Tarot
reading has sections covering your past, your present and your future. The
cards landing in each of these positions paint a picture of this particular
time in your life. What was, what is and what shall be … all are
revealed in your Tarot reading.
When the Two
of Swords is in the past position it recalls a stagnant time. Perhaps your
stubbornness last month has led to an unexpected setback. Maybe your childhood
was colored by a withholding of love as punishment and an insistence on higher
achievement in order to earn a reward. As a result, your current situation has
a cool avoidance at its core.
When the Two
of Swords is in the present position, there are too many things you are
willfully ignoring for you to make a decision. Your current outlook is one of
either stubborn apathy or obtuse denial. You may be getting a Tarot reading to
find an answer and will probably be upset to see the stalemate of your own
creation dominating your day.
If the Two
of Swords is in the future position of your reading, consider this a blessing
from the Tarot. This puts control of your future squarely in your own hands.
This indicates a developing ability to rise up against manipulative people,
users and others who want to tell you what to do. You will be firm in keeping
your own affairs under your absolute control even if it means adopting a
standoffish demeanor. All of the stubbornness and fear from this card disappear
when you know the Two of Swords is on its way – allowing you the power to keep
your cool and maintain control.
Card
Combinations
When your
Tarot reading begins, a few cards are drawn and placed before you to be read.
These cards do not stand alone. They each have individual meanings that combine
and contrast with the other cards in the reading. This way, no two readings are
alike.
The Two of Swords is the lower echo of The High Priestess (card #2)
and The Hanged Man (card #12). Both of these cards put a premium on
passivity. The High Priestess knows all but only tells when asked. The Hanged
Man holds himself back despite the wisdom he may have actually accrued that
should propel him ahead. The Two of Swords retains both of these tense traits.
If either of these cards accompanies the Two of Swords in your reading, you are
likely controlling a situation through passive-aggressive behavior that will alienate
you from friends and family in the long run.
When The Magician is in your reading along with the Two of Swords,
you are refusing to make decisions as a way to manipulate others. When The Emperor is present,
the refusal to make decisions is part of a master plan to maintain your power.
If the Three of Pentacles is present, your plan to gain control is well
thought out and should work better than you imagined.
Some cards challenge the fence-sitting that is inherent in the
Two of Swords.The Tower is an
indicator that a major upheaval in your life is in the works. If you are
comfortable playing both sides now, circumstances will force you to take a
stance sooner than would be convenient for you. The Two of Swords is challenged
by The Chariot card; an irresistible goal may come within reach
while you are concentrating your efforts on another area of your life. This
dilemma will challenge your intransigence with an intense force. The Devil card
appearing with the Two of Swords means that a deep character flaw of yours will
be pulling you towards resignation. You are your own worst enemy when an
addiction or a bad habit propels you to take your ball and go home rather than
play a supportive role in the game of life.
The best card to see in your reading with the Two of Swords is Temperance. This card represents a mastery over your life and a conscious
effort to avoid negatively impacting things around you. This sitting-out
process insures that your words and ideas (your swords) are not attacking
anyone.