Good Day folks, I apologize for not having the readings for the SP and SJ types up yet – I shouldn’t keep you too much longer. Reading for large groups/archetypes such as this is not something I’ve done much of before. I’m not yet the type to read Celtic Crosses for Virgo on the reg. This has been an interesting exercise, and I’ve heard feedback from others on discord.

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Good Day folks, I apologize for not having the readings for the SP and SJ types up yet – I shouldn’t keep you too much longer. Reading for large groups/archetypes such as this is not something I’ve done much of before. I’m not yet the type to read Celtic Crosses for Virgo on the reg. This has been an interesting exercise, and I’ve heard feedback from others on discord.

I’ve been doing some thinking on the three of swords. It’s usually depicted as a gloomy card, or one that represents betrayal or infidelity. It’s depicted largely as ‘the sad card.’ I’ll say that it is often a sad card, but there’s a deeper meaning behind it.

Take a look at the two cards above. The heart is punctured by three swords. We could look at the heart and all the sadness and drama of this card, but let’s look at the swords. We notice an X made by two swords with a third causing an interference. We could say, for infidelity the middle sword is the ‘other woman’ causing interference. Or perhaps, in more severe cases, you’ve been placed in the position of the middle sword. In readings about possible infidelity, you could determine who is which sword. The ‘Man’ in this instance will usually be one of the swords making up the X.
In an intuitive reading, get a feel for what the swords are doing. Are these people or ideas? This is how I ‘scry’ the deck so to speak.

A way to think of this is 2+1 = 3. The ‘one’ interferes with the normal pattern of two. This one could ‘one’ could be new or contradictory information or insight. The two swords could be two people, or could be two options that are presented when the new information comes. “Should I stay or should I go?”
In the latter, the three of swords can represent the potential for a positive outcome, if there is wisdom in the one being presented with the ‘middle sword.’
The middle sword in this case is actually given to the querent as an opportunity to understand (the heart is exposed, not covered) or as an opportunity to set or stick to ones boundaries. Think of this in the case of a lover or close friend of someone who has difficulties connecting with others due to piling responsibilities/full-schedule, mental health diagnoses, or some other similar ‘middle sword’ which would invariably require some patience or understanding. There would still be hardship.

It seems though people look at the heart first, and notice what is happening to it to notice it is damaged. The image otherwise, at a first glance, appears spartan. But this is a swords card. Let’s take a look at the same card but in the Marseille deck.

There is no heart here, yet the meaning stays relatively the same or similar. Once we understand the three swords in a given intuitive reading, we can add back an understand the place of the heart. We can understand the heart is something that is exposed. We can understand that some unpleasant reality is involved, but the question is what is involved and what tools do we have?

Themes:

• Self knowledge, knowing ones abilities and boundaries.
• The choice to make the best of a situation, or leave it behind.
• interference preventing or disrupting harmony.
• The presence or necessity of honest communication.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I get the feeling this card is often oversimplified. Do you agree? Disagree? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments.