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.
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.
King of Swords
Upright
Mental clarity, intellectual power, authority, truthThe King of Swords is a card of mental power and has the determination and intelligence to accomplish all that he attempts. When this card arrives in a Tarot reading, you stand strong in your trustworthiness and express yourself with deep confidence. As a result, others pay respect to what you are speaking.
The King of Swords shows that you have clarity of consciousness and can observe the truth, so it is up to you to take the lead by giving an accurate viewpoint and making choices based on fair judgment. You are also powerful at controlling your emotions while you move upon your mental power to discover the truth. You hit right to the point and get to the core of the matter for the greatest impact. You may bother that you are not being compassionate with others. However, this coolness is what you need most now.
The King of Swords urges you to use your logic to navigate the way forward. You need to be ready to take any condition, look at it with total objectivity, and then come to a fair resolution.
The appearance of the King of Swords advises that it may be helpful to get authorized or financial aid. If you are expecting modifications or special happenings that will need an expert view, you should inquire about help before they happen. So, when they do succeed, you are able to require your claims and find a result that serves you. You may also benefit from getting an advocate or coach who can give you clever advice.
Reversed
Quiet power, inner truth, misuse of power, manipulation
The reversed King Swords signifies ‘still power’. You may not be the loudest person or the most noticeable on public stages. However, you have a lot to offer in your personal, mysterious way. Your strength and authority come from inside, from your steady belief in yourself, your deep bond to your preferences.
Sometimes the reversed King of Swords can represent an abuse of power. You may have acquired power and influence, but your ego is now managing the show. You may be using your powers to manipulate others to fulfill your special needs. Or you may be applying your superior intellect to make others appear inferior.
A reversed King of Swords can signify someone who is very smart and likes to show off by using big concepts or talking about topics that no one else understands much. This card may signify a person you dealing with or even you; although this King may be smart, he can do only evil and take advantage of others.
The reversed King of Swords can also display a lack of decisiveness and mental purity. Your thoughts are mixed and you may start to feel out of control. The King is usually a very wise man who uses his mind to make sharp decisions, but reversed, this card symbolizes that you are feeling lost. As a result, you are holding important decisions and generally not accomplishing anything because you are becoming so confused.
The Devil
Upright
Shadow self, attachment, addiction, restriction, sexuality
The Devil card symbolizes your shadow side and the negative forces that hold you back from being the best version of yourself. You may be at the effect of negative obsessions, thought patterns or addictions. You have found yourself caught between the momentary pleasure. Just as the Lovers card, Devil also speaks to duality; however, you are choosing the path of immediate satisfaction with the Devil, even if it costs your long-term health. Just like you have sold your soul to the Devil!
The Devil card often arrives when you have been thinking you have no control over your dark side, and that you can never break free from the hold of negative forces. However, deep down, you know it does harm to you, and you are doing it yourself damage when you trap into these needs with lower vibration. You need to accept the hold they have on you to break free of these negative addictions.
On the positive meaning, the Devil can also present a powerful attachment between two people, such as a new love affair still in its ‘honeymoon stage’. Be careful, because, with the Devil card, this healthy attachment could also turn into a co-dependent bond if you lose touch with your intuition.
The Devil could also signify your wild side and sexuality in a love reading. Also, it can symbolize strong chemistry and sexual attraction with your partner. You may be exploring your darkest and wildest fantasies. If you can do this within a safe space, it could be a very enriching adventure. However, it can easily turn into something that may be threatening or harmful to your being, so, set clear limits ready to go.
Reversed
Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment
The reversed Devil card can often be shown when you are on the boundary of a breaking point. You are being invited to your greatest potential, however, you must let go of any harmful habits or restricting beliefs that may hold you back. Let go of concerns and release any limiting beliefs standing in the way of your growth. It is easier than you think.
The reversed Devil calls on you to drop things you know are dangerous to you and your personality. It could be about creating a healthy diet, using less social media, quitting drinking and smoking, spending more time in nature, or focusing more on your purposes.
The reversed Devil may also be a warning that you are hiding your darkest self from other people as a secret. You may have thoughts or fantasies that you don’t want others to know because you feel ashamed. There is also a need to admit who you are and forgive yourself for the ideas you have.
Finally, the Devil reversed encourages you to train the detachment state, a state in which you defeat your attachment to the longing for things, people or ideas, and free yourself. It doesn’t mean you don’t care for them; you free yourself from dependency.