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.
Two of Swords
Upright
Difficult decisions, weighing up options, an impasse, avoidance
The Two of Swords shows that you are handling a difficult decision and you are confused about which option to choose. Both possibilities may seem equal and you don’t know about which will lead you to the best result.
In a reading, it may help to draw further cards to show what it is you are seeking to decide upon. You may also like to draw more cards, for the pros and cons of each option.
The woman in this card covers her eyes with a blindfold, showing that she cannot see the whole of her situation. So you may lack the knowledge you need to make the right choices. You may be needing something, such as the warnings or risks, alternative resolutions or important pieces of information that would guide you in a distinct direction.
The Two of Swords could also purposely wear the blindfold to avoid making a choice. Are you trying to hide from a hard situation, hoping that if you neglect it long enough, you won’t need to bother about it? Sadly, the problem is unlikely to resolve itself, and the longer you hold, the longer you will lengthen this present condition.
The Two of Swords appears as a reminder that many of life’s choices are tough ones and rarely come with plain solutions. The message is to make your decisions with your best purposes, fully aware of the potential consequences.
Reversed
Indecision, confusion, information overload, stalemate
The reversed Two of Swords implies that you are encountering a tough decision and cannot decide which direction to take. It seems impossible to make the correct decision as you know either option will lead to negative results. As a result, you are finding yourself feeling stuck, which is just making the circumstance worse.
You may also lack the knowledge you need to make a reasonable decision. You may also be closed off to new information that could solve your dilemma like the blindfolded woman is closed off to the outside world.
The reversed Two of Swords is asking you to listen to your intuition about this tough choice. Believe what you know to be right for you. Make your choices based on your own inner compass.
The reversed Two of Swords often describes a delay. You may reach an obstacle with a friend or a loved one. The problem is that all people involved are declining to see the circumstance from the other’s viewpoint.
The reversed Two of Swords may also hint you are feeling stuck in the center of two opposing sides. You may be trying to play the mediator role, but in doing so, you are just frustrating yourself. Determine whether you truly have a role to play and whether you can build peace between the two conflicting parties.
Five of Cups
Upright
Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism
Being one of the most pessimist cards in deck, The Five of Cups card often shows up in a Tarot reading when the events haven’t turned out the way you assumed, and you are sad and depressed. Instead of moving on, you are choosing to be lost in your self-pity. All you can focus on right now is what went crazy and how you failed.
The Five of Cups hints you’re lost in the past. Your wounds and painful memories overwhelm your mind as you think about what occurred. You may criticize yourself or think you’re a victim of life’s events. These negative thoughts are holding you back from your complete potential – clear them so you can move on.
If someone has failed you, find it within your heart to forgive that person, freeing yourself from the frustration. And if you are disappointed with yourself, know that you did the best you could under the conditions and have now received life experience from your errors.
Think about what took you to this point and realize what important teachings you can take from the practice. Even when things go wrong, you can always find something positive by thinking about the experiences you got.
The Five of Cups card represents that new possibilities are in your way, even though things aren’t going according to your plan right now. It’s time to change your mindset and concentrate on where else you can go from this point. Be open to the deeper side of life and know many graces are in disguise.
Reversed
Personal setbacks, self-forgiveness, moving on
The reversed Five of Cups implies that you have recently experienced a personal disappointment. You may think that you are a ‘loser’ and don’t want to let others know you’ve taken the wrong path. Or you may not be ready to communicate it to others and are keeping your emotions to yourself instead. But, now could be time to admit and share. People around you may not understand how much agony you’re in right now, so don’t be scared to talk with people you trust.
If you feel guilty about what occurred, criticizing yourself for the errors you made, the reversed Five of Cups asks you to forgive yourself.
When this card shows up in a reading, you are realizing the meanings of the past, and you recognize the things learned from the adventure. You may even realize the value of the unpleasant event in the wider view of everything.
The reversed Five of Cups helps as a note that you cannot undo the yesterday. It is now time to release what no longer serves you, and open to the new possibilities available to you. If you have experienced difficulties, you will find that you will be more confident about tomorrow and join the exciting side of life again.
Five of Swords
Upright
Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs
The Five of Swords card shows up when you have had an argument or conflict, and you are stepping away with sadness and feeling lost. You may be upset over the fiery words you said and you wish they could be taken back.
Even if you won the debate or came out the obvious winner, you understand that you have suffered as much as your opponent. This battle has cost you confidence, respect or honor, and detached you. As you try to pick up the parts and leave the struggle behind you, you find it‘s more complicated than you thought; others have lost trust in you.
The advice of the Five of Swords is to pick your actions. You may be motivated to fight every battle to guarantee you get your way, to prove that you are correct, or to protect yourself when you are feeling threatened. Picking your battles carefully is much better than fighting in every disagreement. Not only will it lead to a more quiet life, but your relationships are likely to come out more powerful.
If you have been involved in a conflict and can see it taking its price, the Five of Swords is a call for an apology. Be ready to say you were mistaken and make amends. There’s no reason to justify your actions; just let go and move on. Look for a common spot with those you have been supporting with, or ask forgiveness so you can put this behind.
The Five of Swords may also show the breakdown. Despite your best attempts, you are likely to come out as the loser. Accept your defeat, and learn from it. Be smarter and wiser next time.
Reversed
Reconciliation, making amends, past resentment
The Five of Swords speaks for those times when you’ve fought to the end, only to recognize that you’ll fail no matter what. You’ve been pushing, but your opponent is not listening. And when you’re in this opposite position, you end up feeling terrible – win or no win.
You want this period of struggle to be finished so you can forgive and release, and then direct your energies on more productive activities. You know that there can only be losers in this fight.
Sometimes, the reversed Five of Swords can represent conflict in your life that you have tried to be away from. Furthermore, the reversed Five of Swords can imply that an old wound has been re-opened and you are experiencing the anxiety connected with that memory. You may be especially worried that the past might repeat itself and you could be hurt again.
The reversed Five of Swords hints that after a phase of the battle, you are ready to move forward and create positive transformation. Bring your energy back inside. It may mean an agreement, or it might be time to move on. This is your chance to ask for forgiveness so you can build a more fruitful ground for new ideas.