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The Three of Swords card, based on its pictorial meaning, can be easily interpreted unilaterally and hastily as a painful experience, especially as a depiction of love sorrow. This is an important aspect of the card, but not the main thing. The Three of Swords is above all a decision made in spite of emotions. To refer to this action, or to liberation, can only be judged on the basis of the background of the question and the interpretation of the other cards. If tyrannical intelligence suppresses emotions, the card's message should be considered. However, when we release the power of addiction and the bondage of dubious habits, it refers to a painful but necessary step.

THREE OF SWORDS : SORROW

These cards are referred to Binah; in each of them is expressed the symbolism of Understanding. The idea has become fertilized; the triangle has been formulated. In each case, the idea is of a certain stability which can never be upset, but from which a child can issue.

The idea of division, of mutability, the idea of the airy quality of things, manifests itself in the Three of Swords, the Lord of Sorrow. Here one is reminded of the darkness of Binah, of the mourning of Isis; but this is not any vulgar sorrow dependent upon any individual disappointment or discontent. It is Weltschmerz, the universal sorrow; it is the quality of melancholy. 

Binah, the Great Mother, here rules the realm of Air. This fact involves an extremely difficult doctrine which must be studied at length in The Vision and the Voice: Aethyr 14.

Binah is here not the beneficent Mother completing the Trinity with Kether and Chokmah. She represents the darkness of the Great Sea.

This is accentuated by the Celestial Lordship of Saturn in Libra.

This card is dark and heavy; it is, so to speak, the womb of Chaos. There is an intense lurking passion to create, but its children are monsters. This may mean the supreme transcendence of the natural order. Secrecy is here, and Perversion.

The symbol represents the great Sword of the Magician, point uppermost; it cuts the junction of two short curved swords. The impact has destroyed the rose. In the background, storm broods under implacable night.

THREE OF SWORDS - SORROW

Astrology: Saturn in the 2. decan of Libra Tree of Life: Binah through Air

With the Three, the Swords are entering Binah, the fields of understanding, of perception and realization, and they reveal the dark side of understanding - or the truth behind the common saying that idiots are the happier people. 

It is the curse of the Swords to be so clear and honest, to analyze what others prefer to ignore, to put in plain light what others hide in the dark. They are not like the Cups who are lucky when they understand themselfes, the Swords are the Mind and when understanding what they see, they dive into melancholy. 

So the Three of Swords can talk of a painful realization, a hard decision that has to be made, the melancholy of Saturn when recognizing the unveiled truth. They also can stand for a disappointment, the loss of an illusion, or the detection of a treachery, a lie, a deceit.

Drive: Melancholy, facing up a painful truth 

Light: Understanding, sobering, losing beautiful but false illusions 

Shadow: Disappointment, pain, sadness, separation, sorrows

THE THREE OF SWORDS - Sorrow - Mars - Moon - Consistency

Keywords: Saturn in Libra, annoyances, doubts, lack of light, lethargy, jealousy, depression, tripartite obsession, troubles, uncertainty, anxiety

Advice: This page prompts you to make clear, unambiguous decisions. This is the only way to rebalance the balance (equiibrium).

Question: What are some decisions you find difficult or difficult to make?

Suggestion: Use the Tarot to reveal what your decisions are. Drag another tab that will show what awaits you when facing your problems.

Revelation: Every problem has its own solution.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: 23. Po (The Crack, Splitting apart)

Mythology: The Consequences (Abraham, Antigone)

Keywords: hurt feelings, painful experiences, decisions made despite our feelings

Whoever does not show both hands does not show his heart.

THREE OF SWORDS

General Meaning

Traditionally, the Three of Swords signified separation or the breakup of a significant relationship, including the tragic emotions that come along with such an event. Some cards show the horizon filled with storm clouds and flashing lightning.

The positive side of this card would be the ending of draining or frustrating associations, to become free again. One message this card brings is to cut some things loose. In spite of sentimental memories and emotional attachments, we need to let go of relationships that either cannot live up to their promise or have outlived the pleasure and support we once found in them.

In the Reversed Position

The Three of Swords reversed suggests that a storm is clearing, feelings are mending, communication skills are improving, accusations and paranoia are diminishing. The necessity of conflict seems to be draining away, a change that is worth being grateful for, even though some challenges may still arise from this episode.

In the Advice Positon

The Three of Swords in this position advises you to strike out on your own. Become more independent. Separate yourself from people and forces you do not feel compatible with. Grow a thicker skin.

Use your creativity and imagination and seek out situations where the way you see things makes sense to those around you. Move towards those who can embrace and appreciate your talents and all you have to contribute.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.