Two (II) of Swords

Keywords

Mental Decisions, Stressful/Painful Decisions, Cross Purposes , Torn Between Two/Loyalties/Relationships, Stalemate, Fence Sitting, Denial, Face Your Fears, Being Blind to The Truth, Pains and Hurts From the Past Affecting You, Caught in the Middle, Closed Heart

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Meaning

The Two of Swords turning up in a reading generally indicates that a difficult decision has to be made.  This is bound to be causing you a lot of stress as the decision is usually not straight forward.  You may find yourself torn apart with the whole situation.  You may be required to take sides in an argument but find that your loyalties are divided.

What you have to decide on is at cross purposes making it very difficult to arrive at any decision. You will have to pull that blindfold off one way or another and face your fears.  A decision must be made.  Pretending that nothing is wrong or that it is nothing to do with you won’t make the problem go away.   You have been too passive in the situation so far.  You need to form your own opinions and make up your own mind.  It is time to get off the fence and speak up.  You don’t have to sit out in the cold as people will want to hear what you have to say.  As long as you speak your truth then everyone will understand and respect your opinion even if they don’t like what you have to say.  One way or another, a lot of mental and emotional stress accompanies this card.

If you are finding it difficult to make a decision it might be time to go within to access your intuition and listen to what your inner voice is trying to tell you. You will need peace and quiet for this so it might be best to distance yourself from all external influences.

The Two of Swords turning up in a spread can suggest that you are in denial about something.  You may think that ignorance is bliss and that if you ignore something for long enough it will go away.  The sad thing is that generally it doesn’t.  Instead the deceit or self-denial can get worse.  It then becomes shameful, pathetic and destructive.  If there is something you are aware of that is obviously wrong or unjust then you are duty bound to do something about it. Hiding from the truth or hiding the truth is not the answer.   The surrounding cards in a spread should provide some evidence or hints as to the nature of the denial.

The Two of Swords often indicates arguments between people who are being rigid and unyielding.  Both sides are locked into the battle.  There is little room for forgiveness and no sign of a thaw.  This argument could go on for years and taint generations to come unless someone is brave enough to sort it out. People need to lay down their weapons and open their heart to forgiveness.

In a relationship spread the Two of Swords suggests that a painful decision has to be made causing upset and distress. Perhaps you are  struggling with the painful decision to leave your partner and The Two of Swords highlights the mental anguish and dilemma you are experiencing.  You must withdraw to a certain extent to make sense of it. Maybe a painful decision has to be made between two prospective partners and you don’t want to hurt either.

The Two of Swords would suggest that you have been hurt, maybe not by your present relationship, but possibly by one in the past, leaving deep wounds. The crossed Swords protect the heart from further hurt.  This can block you emotionally and you may use the Swords to strike out should anyone attempt to get close to you.  Time is needed to learn to trust again.

The Two of Swords can suggest a warring couple.  This is bound to be an ongoing argument that builds with each venting.  This type of argument never gets resolved but blows up every now and then causing a terrible storm of angry words and insults.  Both sides then retreat into an icy and distant silence.  The Swords need to be laid down so that proper discussion and communication of feelings can be aired.

When it comes to denial, then The Two of Swords in a relationship may highlight problems which one partner refuses to acknowledge.  Instead they go about as if it is business as normal and avoid all discussions that might bring the painful truth out into the open.

In a career reading the Two of Swords can suggest that you are being asked to take sides in an issue and this is causing you great distress.  You may see yourself as the mediator between two opposing sides who refuse to see each other’s point of view.  A strike may have reached deadlock stage with neither side wishing to back down or compromise on their demands.  You may be blind to corruption or deceit going on around you in the workplace or is it that you just choose to turn a blind eye to it?  Your work environment may be tense and cold with ongoing arguments and unfriendliness.  You may keep to yourself as a result.

With the Two of Swords being a Stage Card, you must also ask yourself if things are really as bad as you think they are? Are you getting worried and upset over nothing?  Your emotions and imagination may have run away with you.  It is time to stand back from the situation to evaluate it in a clear and logical manner.

Reversed

Keywords

Fears Faced/Fears Overwhelming, Torn Apart, Emotional and Mental Turmoil, Eyes Opened to the Situation, Hanging onto Old Hurts and Pain, Guarded, Emotionally Cold, Blocked Off, Indecision, Afraid of Everything

When the Two of Swords reverses you either finally make up your mind and find a way of reaching a fair and just decision or you let your fears and worries totally overwhelm you making a logical decision impossible.  You become too emotional and can’t think straight.  You may feel torn apart by those around you with both sides appealing to you, calling on your loyalty and friendship.  You would love to just run away from it all.  Hopefully, and surrounding cards should give an indication of it, you have decided to jump off the fence and sort yourself out.  Make sure you side with the right one!

When the Two of Swords reverses, you either tear the blindfold off or it is ripped off by someone else to reveal the truth of the situation.  There is no getting away from the facts now as it is exposed in full colour before you.  It may be painful to discover that you have been living a lie all this time.  You may see so-called friends in a new light or feel shocked by what you discover.  However painful this may be, it has been for your own good.  Once the truth is out in the open, you do not have to carry the burden of pretence anymore and are now free to move on with your life.  This may be easier to do than you imagined as you feel a weight lifted off both your mind and heart.

With the Two of Swords reversed tensions begin to thaw in the entrenched battleground of the Upright Two.  There is real potential here to put an end to an age-old argument between friends or family.  Swords are laid aside and hearts begin to open to the possibility of forgiveness.

When it comes to relationships your emotions are more than likely in turmoil and a difficult decision you know you have to make becomes impossible.  You may refuse to face the truth about your relationship. Fears, hurts and negative attitudes gain strength.  Arguments can go on and on rehashing the same old issues as you hang on to old hurts and wounds.

The crossed Swords over the heart prevent any love coming in or going out.  Couples can become emotionally cold and distant in a relationship. On the other hand, warring couples may draw a halt to hostilities.  The doorway to reconciliation opens as communication leads to forgiveness and understanding. Look to surrounding cards such as positive outcomes to determine which is the case.

If related to business or careers, the blind fold is ripped off forcing people to face a difficult situation.  Negotiation is now possible. A firm stand is made and sides taken. Lies and corruption are exposed and this may lead to a feeling of isolation and alienation as you stand up for your principles and not for some confused sense of loyalty in your decision-making.

The Two of Swords reversed may indicate that you are finding it impossible to choose between two job offers no matter what way you look at it.  Both may sound equally attractive or unattractive.  If conflict has intensified in the workplace then it is probably time for you to  get out as it is causing you too much stress and tension.

The Two of Swords reversed can represent a personality type that is fearful of everything.  Anything that is new or strange is actively avoided. This person takes no responsibility for their life and prefers to let others make any important decisions on their behalf.

You may need to go back to the Ace to find a new way of thinking and a fresh approach to your situation.

Brief Versions – Ace of Swords   Two (II) of Swords  Three (III) of Swords   Four (IV) of Swords  Five (V) of Swords        Six (VI) of Swords  Seven (VII) of Swords  Eight (VIII) of Swords  Nine (IX) of Swords  Ten (X) of Swords

Brief Versions – Wands  Cups  Swords   Pentacles

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