TAROT CARD GUIDE

Two of Swords Tarot Card Meaning & Interpretations

← Suit of Swords

Two of Swords Card from the Rider Waite Smith Deck

Introduction

The Suit of Swords, representing the Element of Air, covers the mental and intellectual aspects of life. It refers to the challenges and trials that we face which we apply our minds to solving. The positive traits of the number 2 in numerology are balance, diplomacy, cooperation, flexibility and patience. The Suit of Swords doesn't usually reflect numerology's positive aspects but the 2 of Swords is one of the exceptions.

This combination of element and numerology in the 2 of Swords can be interpreted as being the peacemaker card. Two swords, both equals, are the balanced sides of two differing points of view, philosophies or arguments. There may be no way to choose between them and common ground must be found to keep the peace and maintain harmony. Or they can represent a fork in a road offering two paths. Only one route can be chosen even though both seem to have equal merits.

The common theme between all the 2's in Tarot is one of balance and fairness. In the Major Arcana the card most closely associated with the 2 of Swords is card 11, Justice. The number 11 reduces to 2 (1+1=2), in numerology, symbolically linking these two cards.

Whereas Justice must preside over all the elemental realms, and not just Air, the 2 of Swords focuses only on mental and logical points. There can be no influence from any other element. For example Water, no emotional factors can be taken into consideration when attempting to understand the meaning of this card.

The Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck first depicted this card as a person, wearing a blindfold, sitting on a solid rock bench with their arms crossing their chest holding a Sword in each hand. Holding the swords in this manner, at an angle instead of upright, suggests they are focused entirely on weighing the swords and this is the only comparison being made. This is much like the scales of Justice symbolising impartiality in the decision making process.

The background scene of this card explains the need for the blindfold. Behind the seated person is a sea of calm water with a crescent moon in a night sky. This calm water is an important detail as it symbolises the emotional calmness required to be able to apply clear, dispassionate mental and logical decision making.

The Moon makes an appearance in only two other cards in the RWS deck. The 8 Of Cups and The High Priestess. The 8 of Cups has a similar background scene and symbology. In it we see its character walking away from the calm waters, and the moon lit landscape, trying to escape emotional distractions. The 2 of Swords character has chosen instead to sit down and blindfold them self. In the darkness and light of the moon things are not what they seem and can be distorted, illusionary, confusing and disorientating.

The numerology of the number 2 also includes the art of negotiation and anyone skilled at it will understand the need for secrecy because knowledge of your opponents position can provide sufficient power to tip the negotiations in your favour. Like a game of cards you need to keep them covered and not give away any hint of what you really have to offer. Not only keeping your cards close to your chest but attempting to mislead your opponent and furnish them with inaccurate information.

The art of negotiation is a morally ambiguous one and when the 2 of Swords appears care must be taken with what you reveal about yourself as well as believing all of what you are being told or shown. This links the 2 of Swords to The High Priestess who is the keeper of secrets and, by virtue of this, the master negotiator. In the RWS deck both The High Priestess and the 2 of Swords feature a crescent moon symbolical of this danger of deception, distortion of facts and illusionary appearances. This link to The High Priestess may also suggest a meaning of studying an academic discipline, or sitting exams, when the 2 of Swords appears.

The 2 of Swords card meaning can be one of mental balance, harmony, deadlock or decision making. It can be interpreted as looking for a logical, rational, compromise over a dispute, argument, decision or legal agreement that suits both parties. It can also be interpreted as a requirement for careful study and analysis when faced with two equally good directions where only one can be chosen. The decision must be made entirely on a logical basis only with impartiality disregarding wealth, power, status or emotion.

2 of Swords in a Tarot Reading

The 2 of Swords is a card of decision making, mental balance, impartiality and compromise. It often appears when two choices, arguments or points of view seem evenly matched and there is no immediately obvious reason to favour one over the other.

The challenge of the 2 of Swords is to separate facts from feelings and examine a situation as objectively as possible. Emotion, personal preference or outside pressure can make a difficult choice even harder. This card asks what remains when those influences are temporarily put aside and the competing arguments are considered on their merits.

Upright Meaning

Upright, the 2 of Swords can indicate a difficult choice between two apparently equal alternatives. More information or careful analysis may be required before a decision can confidently be made.

It can also represent mediation, diplomacy and compromise. Where two sides disagree, neither may be entirely right or wrong. Finding common ground can be more useful than trying to defeat the opposing argument.

In negotiations, however, the card carries another message. Information has value. Revealing too much about your own position can weaken it, while the information presented by somebody else may not reveal everything they know or intend. Listen carefully, remain impartial and do not make assumptions simply because something has been presented as fact.

Upright keywords: decision making, impartiality, balance, compromise, diplomacy, negotiation, analysis, stalemate, objectivity, careful judgement.

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the 2 of Swords can indicate that balance has broken down. A decision may be avoided because it is uncomfortable, or too many conflicting arguments and pieces of information may be making the situation increasingly difficult to understand.

It can also warn of deception, withheld information or bias. One side of an argument may not be presenting the complete picture, or your own preferences may be influencing a decision that needs to be made objectively.

In other circumstances, the reversed card can indicate the end of a stalemate. Information that was previously unavailable may come to light, or circumstances may finally force a choice that has been postponed.

Reversed keywords: indecision, confusion, bias, deception, misinformation, avoidance, broken negotiations, information overload, ending a stalemate.

Love and Relationships

In a relationship reading, the 2 of Swords can indicate a disagreement in which both people believe their position is reasonable. Progress may depend upon listening to both sides and finding a compromise rather than determining a winner and a loser.

It can also represent a difficult relationship decision where emotion makes objective judgement particularly challenging. Temporarily separating what you feel from what you know may help clarify the choice.

Reversed, the card can suggest avoiding an issue that needs to be discussed, communication becoming confused, or important information being withheld between the people involved.

Work and Career

In work and career readings, the 2 of Swords can represent negotiations, mediation or a choice between two professional opportunities. Both options may have advantages and disadvantages, requiring careful comparison rather than an impulsive decision.

The card can also describe situations where discretion is valuable. During negotiations, interviews or discussions about future plans, there may be good reason not to reveal everything about your position until you understand what the other parties have to offer.

Reversed, it can indicate workplace deadlock, poor communication, hidden agendas or a decision being delayed for too long.

Money and Finances

In financial readings, the 2 of Swords suggests comparing alternatives carefully and making decisions from the available facts rather than emotion. Two investments, purchases or financial strategies may initially appear equally attractive.

It can also apply to contracts and financial negotiations. Read the details carefully, understand the position of the other party and be cautious about accepting claims without sufficient information.

Reversed, the card can indicate financial indecision, incomplete information or discovering that an apparently straightforward choice is more complicated than it first appeared.

Advice from the 2 of Swords

When the 2 of Swords appears as advice, remove as much noise from the decision as possible. Identify the facts, consider both sides fairly and avoid allowing fear, desire, status or pressure from other people to determine your judgement.

Ask yourself: If I temporarily removed emotion and personal preference from this decision, which facts would actually matter?

The 2 of Swords reminds us that some decisions do not have an obviously correct answer. When two alternatives are closely balanced, fairness, careful analysis and good judgement become more important than certainty.

2 of Swords According to A. E. Waite

The Pictorial Key to the Tarot
Arthur Edward Waite (1911)

A hoodwinked female figure balances two swords upon her shoulders. Divinatory Meanings: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, courage, friendship, concord in a state of arms; another reading gives tenderness, affection, intimacy. The suggestion of harmony and other favourable readings must be considered in a qualified manner, as Swords generally are not symbolical of beneficent forces in human affairs. Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.