Readings
Three Cards
The three card tarot spread is one of the oldest methods. You can get to the heart of your question with a simple three-card Tarot reading. In this spread, there are three different positions which can be changed by to your preference, Past – Present – Future (or Situation – Action – Outcome, Situation – Obstacle – Advice and etc.).
The meaning of the card you choose varies according to it’s position.
This opening provides a GENERAL perspective to the period you are in. Or you can evaluate the comments in the frame of your question.
Hermit
Upright
Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance
When The Hermit card appears it is time for drawing your energy and attention inward and finding the answers deep within your soul by taking a break from everyday life. You understand that your most intense sense of truth and the most valuable knowledge is within yourself. You leave behind the earthly issues to set off on a spiritual journey. Now is the perfect time to go to a place where you can get closer to your authentic self and observe personal purposes and principles.
The Hermit calls you to go into your inner world and encounter a deep sense of solitude and meditation. When you allow yourself to harmonize into your inner light, you will discover the answers you need inside your heart and become wiser. Find the light shining in your soul and you can create your unique path now.
The Hermit often arrives when you are at a crucial period in your life and considering a new direction. After looking at your soul with a deeper, more spiritual understanding, your priorities could shift as a consequence.
Finally, the Hermit may be shown in your life as a spiritual teacher to help you raise your vibration and develop your consciousness. He will guide you on finding your answers and solutions within you.
Reversed
Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal
The reversed Hermit can show one of two situations: you are not taking enough time for personal observation, or you are taking too much. The Reversed Hermit encourages you to create more space to meditate and spend time with yourself if you struggle to know your spirituality. It may be time to go inward and rediscover your greater mission on this planet. You may have been so busy dealing with the daily concerns. So you have forgotten to listen to your inner sound.
If you have already been spending a lot of time contemplating on your inner world, then the reversed Hermit may urge that you may be taking this isolation thing too far. Are you literally becoming a hermit and cutting yourself off from the external world? Do not underestimate the importance of staying united with other people, even while you are going through your spiritual journey.
The Emperor
Upright
Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure
The Emperor is the father figure of the Tarot deck, suggests that you are adopting this protective role (regardless of whether you are male or female), affording for your family, and protecting your loved ones.
Similarly, the Emperor represents a strong and charismatic leader. Status and power are necessary to you, and you are most comfortable in a leadership role where you can direct others. You have a clear vision of what you want to manifest, and you arrange those around you to manifest your goal. You listen to the advice of others, but you prefer to make the final decision.
The Emperor reflects a system defined by rules and regulations. You create law and order by applying policies or guidelines to a specific situation. Be strategic and highly organized in your approach by sticking to your plan until the end.
The Emperor card also implies world knowledge and expertise. You have gained valuable wisdom and living experience, and now you enjoy offering guidance to someone who might benefit from it. You may be a teacher, coach, boss, or just a good friend who likes to take the knowledge and pass it on so that others can be as wise and powerful as you.
Reversed
Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility
The reversed Emperor requests you to assess your relationships with responsibility and discipline. Are you expressing too much or too little of these in your life right now? Are they serving for you or against you?
In the reversed position, the Emperor can be bossy and inflexible in his thoughts. The card can suggest an over-use of authoritative power. It could be you or another person, often a boss, partner or family member. And it may be because of deep insecurities and self-doubts.
Recognize the position of power in your life. Are you declaring your power and dominance in a way that leaves others feeling weak? Or are you giving away much of your personal power to please others? Try to find a solution where you start from a place of personal power and enable others to do the same. Power can be equally distributed – you don’t need to take it from others, nor do you need to give yours away.
Sometimes, the reversed Emperor asks you to stand up to authority. You may feel fed up with an oppressive boss or a hierarchical organization and feel forced to enter a more flexible and adaptive environment. Maybe you aspire to be your own boss and work independently by starting up your own business.
In a love reading, the reversed Emperor hints that you may be in an unbalanced relationship and it‘s making you unhappy. Your partner has become overbearing, possessive and dominating. This dynamic is putting tension on the relationship and blocking the flow of energies between you.
Three of Swords
Upright
Heartbreak, emotional pain, sorrow, grief, hurt
When the Three of Swords shows up in a Tarot reading, it indicates that you are feeling deeply hurt. Your heart has been wounded by the sharp blades of hurtful words and behaviors, and they have caused strong emotions of sadness. These events are often sudden, making them even more depressing.
The Three of Swords is also about emotional freedom. When you have experienced a major difficulty or trouble, now is a great time to have a good cry. Exposing your sorrow is an important part of the cleansing process. Grant yourself the chance to feel these emotions, no matter how unpleasant.
The Three of Swords comes as a warning that pain, sadness, and despair are the unavoidable parts of life. Without pain, you would never encounter the difficulties you need to develop as a person. While the pain may darken your sight for a time, it will finally bring transparency and enable you to put the history behind you.
The Three of Swords card often arrives when you are allowing other peoples’ words to heart. Just learn that you should not take their words as truth; they are simply another person’s judgment or a projection of their personal fears. Change the energy by looking at these people with a sympathetic heart: what conflicts are they going through that they need to project their self-doubts at you? Be careful, too: why are their words bothering you? Is there a more deep truth in what they’ve said, one you might not be ready to see just yet? Use these to free your viewpoint and see the greater picture of what is going on.
If you’re in a relationship, this card can sometimes guide you to some kind of separation. In the worst-case scenario, it can also point to a third party creating a problem in your connection since it illustrates three swords. You and your partner may have to meet complex problems in order to stay together. Without open conversations, the relationship can end. If you’re single, it may be that grief from the past is impacting your ability to date again.
Reversed
Negative self-talk, releasing pain, optimism, forgiveness
The reversed Three of Swords urges you to pay awareness to your thoughts. Your words are important, particularly those you repeat to yourself in your head. When you catch these negative thoughts come up, question if you would never speak these words to a loved one, then why are you addressing these words to yourself? Look at how you can change your thoughts towards the positive to strengthen your self-esteem.
You may also be very sensitive to others’ words. Let go of the pain that these words are creating you.
The reversed Three of Swords can symbolize that you have recently gone through a difficult period, maybe a relationship has ended or been tested, a loved one has passed, or another situation that touched you deeply. The reversal of this card hints that this period has ended, and you are on the path to healing, understanding that there other things in your life that carry you happiness. You have reached a time where you are ready to move ahead.
If you are encountering difficulties in your relationships, the reversed Three of Swords remembers you to be the peacemaker. Always think before you talk, so you will not later be sorry for what you have said. And never be scared to say you are sorry.