TWO OF SWORDS

• BLOCKED EMOTIONS
• AVOIDANCE
• STALEMATE

• Actions
• Opposing Cards
• Reinforcing Cards
• Description

ACTIONS

• BLOCKED EMOTIONS
• denying true feelings
• stifling a natural response
• keeping another at arm's length
• hiding distress
• turning a deaf ear
• being defensive
• maintaining your cool

• AVOIDANCE
• refusing to look at facts
• pretending everything's fine
• ignoring the warning signs
• closing your eyes to what's going on
• avoiding an unpleasantness
• choosing not to know

• STALEMATE
• feeling afraid to act
• reaching an impasse
• staying stuck
• refusing to decide
• being unwilling to rock the boat
• staying on the fence

OPPOSING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Fool - opening up, uninhibited
• Wheel of Fortune - moving, getting things going
• Justice - accepting the truth, accepting responsibility
• Star - free flow of positive feelings
• Three of Wands - moving forward, looking at the facts

REINFORCING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Moon - self-deception, not seeing the truth
• Nine of Wands - being defensive, closing yourself off
• Seven of Swords - running away from the truth
• Four of Pentacles - stalemate, blockage

DESCRIPTION

The Two of Swords is about the barriers we put up between ourselves and others and those we create within ourselves. Internally, we block off emotions and refuse to feel them. We avoid looking at the truth and pretend that everything's OK. We think one way, but feel another. In countless ways, we divide off parts of ourselves and try to maintain them even when we know they need to be reconciled.

In readings, the Two of Swords often appears when you are not willing to accept some truth about yourself or the situation. What are you really feeling? Are you resisting tender feelings because you might be hurt? Are you furious even though you're smiling? What are you refusing to look at? Notice the blindfold on this woman. She can't look at the truth or even acknowledge that there is trouble.

The most common barrier is a closed heart. When we cut ourselves off emotionally, we sever the connection that allows our love to flow outward. Sometimes this action is necessary, but it always comes at a great price. Every time we close off our heart, we find it more difficult to open again. Another barrier between people is a deadlocked situation. When two parties are set in their positions - cut off from each other - there is a stalemate. To break it, the "opponents" must come out from behind their swords and listen to each other. The lesson of the Two of Swords is that barriers are not the answer. We must stay open if we are to find peace and wholeness.

• TAROT CARDS
• TAROT CARDS: SWORDS
• Tarot cards, swords: ace of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: two of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: three of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: four of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: five of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: six of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: seven of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: eight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: nine of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: ten of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: page of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: knight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: queen of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: king of swords;