THE THREE OF SWORDS
For comparison, here's the Three of Swords from the Rider/Waite/Smith deck:
THE THREE OF SWORDS: I woke up the other morning singing the below lyrics:
If you could read my mind love
What a tale my thoughts could tell
Just like an old time movie
bout a ghost from a wishin well
In a castle dark or a fortress strong
With chains upon my feet
You know that ghost is me
And I will never be set free....
("If You Could Read My Mind," by Gordon Lightfoot) My first thought -- even before wondering what it meant as a dream -- was "What a Three of Swords song!" There's no getting around it. This card carries a lot of sad and heavy feeling. But I've also seen it point to acknowledging and working with that pain so that it leads to healing and growth. I'd even go so far as to say that much of what this card speaks to is how we cause much of our own pain out of fear and resistance to change. So, back to the song above as a musical dream version of the Three of Swords: it was telling me I have the option of embracing the changes fully upon me now -- to "cut short" the slide into fear and pain -- and trust in Spirit.
[BTW, I'm still participating in the International Association for the Study of Dreams PsiberDreaming Conference (and having an amazing time), so my posts will continue to be less frequent until at least October 8th.]
DIFFERENT OR LESS COMMON, EVEN QUIRKY MEANINGS FOR THE THREE OF SWORDS (i.e. the below is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of this card; a quick google will produce a wider variety of takes should you not be familiar with this card):
This is an old habitual way of thinking that is no longer applicable; it is not a true sorrow or regret. Let it go.
May indicate an old, deep wounding is being somehow echoed in the current situation. You have an opportunity to heal yourself and possibly also the situation if you can identify and acknowledge the source(s) of the wound(s).
Your pain now is the measure of your yearning toward wholeness. Keep reaching and reclaim another part of yourself.
Your plans may very well not work out. You can risk it, or re-think things.
It's how you are thinking about this that is the problem. Draw another card or two to see if you can get a new perspective on the issue.
There is no real or satisfying answer to that question right now, sorry! (Sort of like getting a busy signal on a telephone call.)
Resource: The Tarot of Creativity; covers the Major Arcana: "...this early picture book is meant to evoke associations, images, stories. Let them evoke your own interpretations, variations, imaginations."
Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.
‘til next time, keep embracing change and enjoying The Tarot,
Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****
Labels: Three of Swords