Three of Swords

[Amora]

After reading a thread and seeing how so many of us interpret things differently, I was curious to see how some of you interpret the Three of Swords?

I have always interpretted it negatively but have desperately tried to see the good in it. Although I have been unable. Just curious to see if anyone else sees good in it, or even if negative, what your interpretation is.

[Flaire-FireStar]

Whenever I pull the 3 of Swords, I feel kind of nervous....like something will happen. (Mind you the 3 of Swords is my card of the day today.. so.. :2G: )

Usually, I see it as mostly negative, I, too, have yet to see the postitve in that card.. When I interpret it, my first thought is "oh no" as in 'heartbreak' because that's what it really looks like on the card... But that's my initial thought for that card every time.. I have to look past that, and right now, it's hurt feelings and/or betrayal (feeling betrayed)..

[maya]

I mostly see it as the sword in the middle creating intereference between the other two swords, sort of dividing them. Like the robin hood thing where they split an arrow with another arrow. Thus the thing/person/event that happened is splitting two things involvoed (people/ideas). Every now and then I see it as something else, but since swords mostly deal with conflict/resolution situations not many seem totally upbeat and positive cards.

~ Maya

[Flaire-FireStar]

I've never thought of it like that before, Maya. That could make some readings change a bit. ;)

[Myst]

Well looking at it (in my tarot of a moon garden deck), it appears 3 swords thrust into the center of the joining of two plants that grew up and curled around together to look like a heart. There's lots of undergrowth and cloudy skies and no moon. I would think the meaning could depend on the reading - they could represent power banding together, someone who is supported by friends, or confusion and conflict. IMHO

[Silver Venus]

Well I can see where you get all the negative stuff from it, heres what it says in learn tarot
* HEARTBREAK
* LONELINESS
* BETRAYAL
http://www.learntarot.com/s3.htm

But in my Secret tarot deck it shows a man sat on a horse in the middle of a bleak and heavy snow storm, all around him is darkness but in the distance there is a light as the sun is rising on the horizon, the man is looking away and horse to me..I always interperate it as a waiting card, yes it can be lonely but you have to wait for the storm to pass, and it will and then go on... so kind of work/go through a personal soul searching journey to come out the other end...

[Faery-Wings]

I tend to see the three of swords as being pulled in different directions, being a bit stressed out. A commom way for me to feel, maybe? It is like the swords are tasks or decisions to be made and they are not easy ones.

Just my 2 cents!
Chris

[Azure]

For me, often the three of swords represents stress and difficult decision making. It can also represent a cycle of three related past events that were either hurtful or destructive, three people who have behaved ttogether in a negative manner.
I use my Robin Wood deck a lot, and the sky in the background and the way I react to it tells me a lot of times whether the events are past or yet to come.
It's also frequently a card that smacks me on the head and reminds me I'm needlessly dwelling on the negative, or expecting the worst in a rather melodramatic fashion, when that is not what's happening at all.
Lately, it can also suggest medical problems and surgery, especially when paired with the Ace of Swords.