The Three of Swords [Upright]

In this dramatic tarot image, three sharp swords pierce a red heart against a dull, gray background of storm clouds. There’s plenty of pain around, caused by words, actions, or both.

The storm clouds offer some hope that this pain and upset is a temporary blip. Regardless, this card appears at a real crisis point in your life.

Three of Swords Keywords [Upright]

• Heartbreak
• Sorrow
• Trauma
• Loss
• Grief
• Sadness
• High emotions
• Tears

Three of Swords Meaning [Upright]

Many things can pierce a heart, like harsh words, thoughtless interactions, betrayal, lies, neglect, and jealousy.

This card symbolizes some kind of heartbreak or loss. Life has dealt you a blow, and this might have been entirely unexpected. You may be dealing with harsh words, gossip, or untruths that cut through you like daggers.

Whatever your issues, you feel the pain. Use this card to release these feelings. Start to let things out so you can begin to heal. Do whatever you need to, whether that’s taking up exercise, a new hobby, or simply screaming and wailing for a while.

Avoid letting the pain sit there. It needs to be released. The clouds will eventually disappear; they always do, so you need to be ready to move forward when you have the opportunity.

Key Points – Love [Upright]

• Unfortunately, the upright three of swords isn’t good news for love. It tells of heartbreak and sadness. This could mean relationships breaking down or hitting a rocky patch. Now, the priority must be on communication, as this could be the key to saving things.
• Single people may be nursing old hurts. Sort those out before you look for something new, or you’ll never be truly settled.

Key Points – Money [Upright]

• The upright three of swords often represents financial threats or losses. Try not to run away from concerns, even if it is tempting to ignore these things.
• Look for practical solutions and take control. If you are struggling with rent, perhaps a temporary roommate would help? Could learning to cook simple food save cash on eating out and takeouts?

Key Points - Career [Upright]

• Stress points are flaring in your workplace. These could involve anything from a threatened job to a troublesome colleague. Whatever is going on, don’t just ignore it and hope things work themselves out.
• Anyone actively job seeking when the upright three of swords pops up should step back for a short while. There’s something important to learn from stress points.