Two of Swords Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

What does the Two of Swords mean, upright and reversed? Let’s explore its symbolism, interpretation in love and career, what it reveals about feelings, what advice it gives, and yes/no answers. 

Two of Swords Keywords 

• Upright: Choices, stalemates, caught in the middle, a truce, a conundrum, emotional suppression. 
• Reversed: Indecisiveness, confusion, mental stress, anxiety, and overwork. 

Two of Swords Imagery Description and Symbolism 

The image associated with the Two of Swords tarot card is a young woman who is blindfolded. In each hand she holds a sword, and before her is an ocean filled with many rocks and crags that present obstacles to ships that pass too closely. This indicates a precarious position for the ships that could run aground. 

What this card speaks to is the situation of the blindfolded woman, who doesn’t understand her predicament nor can she solve the problem, as she cannot see things clearly. However, the swords she holds are perfectly balanced, which indicates that despite the confusion her mind is stable and she will be able to weigh up each side of her conundrum impartially. 

The swords are crossed, which indicates the need for peacemaking, a truce, or a chance for mediation. This situation can only be resolved with patience and logic, and despite the confusion, useful solutions will arise. 

The Upright Two of Swords Meaning 

This card suggests a situation where there’s difficulty in making a decision, as the person either lacks information or there’s currently a great deal of chaos and confusion. In some cases, the blindfold could be removed, but frequently the person in this situation is avoiding making a difficult decision by either playing dumb or purposefully avoiding delving into the intricacies of the problem. 

The blindfold could also be a positive thing in that it indicates detachment, suggesting the woman on the card is rather zen. She’s avoiding the conflict of the situation and trying to understand things intuitively while she makes this decision.

The appearance of this card generally means that someone is facing a really tough decision, but they may be scared that in choosing between two options they will alienate themselves or upset people. Often the difficulty in making a decision is because of the human impact. It may be the case that someone is reticent about revealing their hand to others as they will no longer be able to hide their true feelings. 

Often it indicates that if one delays long enough, the crisis will go away, but this card indicates your conscience will not allow you to avoid the situation indefinitely. One could think of this card as someone behaving like an ostrich with its head in the sand, avoiding reality in the short run. 

Love Meaning for Upright Two of Swords 

This tarot card is particularly relevant in a love reading, as relationship decisions are frequently difficult and fraught and will have far-reaching and painful consequences for oneself and for the other person involved. 

However, what this card encourages is seizing the moment and making a clear decision with good intentions in order to move a situation forward. 

The key message is that avoidance can only lead to more difficulty, and therefore one should not delay. The first cut is the deepest, but it’s best to make a clean break. 

The woman in the card is blindfolded; she may not necessarily have the right information to inform her decision, and therefore there is riskiness and reticence. However, one is encouraged to remove the blindfold, to face facts, to be honest with oneself. Often the blindfold represents the truth we don’t want to see, but if we confront it we will make the decision that is right for us. 

In seeking love, this can indicate a choice between two different partners. You may be sitting on the fence, trying to keep your options open, but will this be fair on the other people involved? At some point, a decision will have to be made. 

The Two of Swords also indicates some attachment to a previous relationship. Maybe you’re on the rebound, haven’t quite moved on, and therefore you are not fully committing to a new relationship because part of you is stuck in the past. Whether you’re in a recently formed or established relationship, this indicates you’re in two minds about where the relationship is heading and maybe even thinking of ending the relationship. 

It can also indicate a stalemate where you and your partner just cannot agree on anything and won’t see each other’s point of view. The key is to aim for a truce, agree to disagree, and see if the problem can be parked for a while while you concentrate on the positives. 

Career Meaning of the Two of Swords

This can be an important card in a career question. It’s likely that the situation at work is challenging. There may be significant events happening within your industry, your profession, or the company you work for, and you may be forced into a slightly different role or position. 

There could be a choice between two potential forms of employment, which is a nice problem to have, but you must do full research on the impact of both before you make the decision. Delay as long as possible. 

Often the appearance of Two of Swords indicates dissatisfaction: perhaps you’re in a job where you feel like a square peg in a round hole, and you could be dealing with complex issues within your work that are stretching you, causing you stress and anxiety. 

It may be necessary to fully complete either a job or your karma within a role before you are able to move on. Thus while part of you is ready for a career move, in reality you have loose ends to tie up. 

This card favours those who work in mediation, but it may mean you need mediation to resolve an issue with a client or supplier. In any new venture, it’s very important to understand fixed and sunk costs, because one can quickly become overstretched. 

Health Meaning of the Upright Two of Swords 

The key message in a health context is balance. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, so watch out for your work-life balance, because this card is usually indicative of a stressful situation. You may need to take a small break. 

Better health may be achieved through a relationship break, taking some time off from your regular employment, or having better boundaries with colleagues and clients. It’s very important to understand where your effort is being misplaced. You have to focus on what’s most important and conserve energy, so it’s vital to understand where your time is most wisely spent. 

Spiritual Meaning of the Upright Two of Swords 

Ethics are key when you find the Two of Swords in the upright position. You have to be a wise judge of the alternatives. The choices you make now will inevitably have fallout. People may experience hurt and disappointment, but it’s important to remember that you can’t please everyone all the time, and often delaying a decision is delaying resolution for the other people involved. 

Feelings or Actions Related to Upright Two of Swords

This card indicates you should bite the bullet and make a decision now. Delay can only increase stress, guilt, and prevent healing for all involved. However, one needs a clear indication of the risks of a situation, if there are any alternative solutions or key pieces of information that can sway you either way. 

It’s important that you don’t remain blind to the full range of possibilities and implications, but it’s also essential that you’re honest with yourself and you don’t remain passive. It’s vital to understand there is a degree of urgency, and one should make an effort to resolve a situation rather than to perpetuate a stalemate. 

Reversed Two of Swords Meaning 

This represents a tougher decision-making process than the upright version. In the upright version, one already has an inkling of which way to go, but with the reverse, the situation is more precarious and febrile, and you may feel that you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. It may be very difficult to make a decision, as you don’t really want to live with the consequences, and it may be that spiritually you can’t even decide which is the right way to go. It may be important to literally write down the pros and cons or even get some impartial advice to help you. 

Love Meaning Reversed Two of Swords 

In love, you may be feeling at your wit’s end. Perhaps you and a partner have tried everything to resolve a difficulty and there seems to be no way forward. In some cases, it’s better to take a step back and have either a relationship pause or a stress break. It’s important to realize when you have reached a breaking point and can no longer accommodate the stress or the emotional pressure. 

Sometimes it’s important to say, “I can’t cope with this,” rather than to persist in trying to be a pillar of strength. Recognize your own weaknesses in dealing with the situation and possibly step away to allow some perspective to enter the fray. 

Career Meaning Reversed Two of Swords 

In a career reading, this may mean you feel stuck between two competing groups. You may be the person in the office to whom a lot of people are voicing concerns or trying to pull you onto one side or another. It’simportant to remain impartial and fence-sit. While it can seem disloyal, this is not a good time to take sides as it’s better to remove yourself from contentious issues if they don’t directly affect you.

In some cases, you feel under a lot of pressure, and you may realise that the time is coming when you will have to make the difficult decision to leave a job – which could cause you financial anxiety – as it’s the best thing for your future. You may simply be waiting for the right time, and the right time hasn’t come yet, so there’s no need to make a decision. 

Health Meaning Reversed Two of Swords 

When this card is reversed, one has to be careful to remove oneself from stressful situations. Trying to constantly satisfy the needs of people, within family and work can have you wilting under too much pressure. 

There’s often a conflict between your private and public life, or family and career demands, and it is necessary to let people in your life know there are boundaries and they have to deal with their own problems. 

It’s also important to choose a plan and stick to it. Trying too many different types of supplements, exercise routines, and diets could result in a case of “too many cooks spoil the broth”. 

Spiritual Meaning of the Reversed Two of Swords 

When you see this tarot card reversed, it indicates you have given enough energy to a situation. You are now reaching the point where you need to step away and let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes it indicates you need to recognize that some distance or space is needed so that you can make a decision with a clear mind. It’s also important that you should make this decision yourself and not under pressure or duress from other people. Make sure that the choice is yours and that you will at least have a clear conscience. 

Feelings or Actions Associated with Reversed Two of Swords 

The important question with this card is, “Is this my choice to make? Should I actually be involved in the situation? Is my input in the situation going to help things?” If the answer is no to any of these, step away. Alternatively, if the buck does stop with you, then it’s important that you reflect and take your time to make the best choice, and often you will need to remove yourself from the situation to get perspective. 

Past, Present and Future Positions for Ace of Swords 

Past

A period of indecision or emotional avoidance eventually led to a new direction. A choice was delayed, or you stayed neutral to protect yourself or others. 

Present 

You’re at a crossroads now where both options feel evenly balanced, and yet clarity is missing as you’re not ready to face the truth and make a call. 

Future

A decision will still be required at some point, but timing matters. Patience and honest reflection will lead to resolution once the blindfold comes off. 

Ace of Swords – YES or NO to a question 

Two of Swords is not a definitive YES-or-NO card. It indicates a stalemate, or a need to pause while more information emerges or perspective is gained. The advice is not to force a quick decision. 

Upright Two of Swords: Leaning YES but still a maybe. 

The answer is unclear because more information is needed. A decision is being avoided, or both options feel evenly balanced. 

Reversed Two of Swords – Leaning toward NO. 

There’s still confusion, you are overwhelmed, or mental stress is blocking clarity. Acting under pressure may lead to regret. 

Advice and Message of the Two of Swords 

This particular tarot card is all about decisions. It’s also about getting into a space where you have the mental clarity to be able to make the right decision. It’s important to take your share of responsibility in any situation, but it’s also vital that you are not pressured into doing something that is not a true reflection of yourself. 

You need to clearly understand the forces that are pulling you in each direction so that you can evaluate them. The blindfold indicates that you are not yet clear about, or you are perhaps misinformed about aspects of this problem, so it’s key for you to get more information. It’s also vital to remember that at some point you cannot get any more advice or information, and “too many cooks will spoil the broth”, so you have to take a risk and make a decision so that everyone can move forward.

Summary of Tarot Card Two of Swords 

In essence, this card is about decisions, perspective, and resolving conflict. It often involves a stalemate and a stressful situation that is lingering and where conflict and tension are bubbling over. It’s vital to remove the blindfold to see through it all and to then fearlessly go with your heart and make the right decision. 

Every decision will involve some fallout. You can’t make an omelet without cracking some eggs, as they say. The message with this card is that life is full of risks and ups and downs, and the biggest mistake we can make is to remain neutral and passive, because that only prolongs difficult situations and actually stunts everyone’s growth. The sooner a difficult decision is made, the sooner everyone can heal and move on, and move on they will.