Two of Swords
indecision, stalemate, pause
A blindfolded woman holds two crossed swords over her chest. This is doubt, putting off a decision because either option is going to hurt a little. Time to take off the blindfold, even if you do it slowly.
The image and its symbolism
A woman dressed in white sits blindfolded on a stone bench, arms crossed over her chest and a sword in each hand. Behind her stretches the sea with a few rocks, and a crescent moon shines in the upper right. The blindfold is the choice not to look, and the crossed arms guard the heart. The water looks calm, but emotions are moving underneath, and the moon points to intuition.
What Two of Swords means
Upright, the Two of Swords is the stalemate card. It shows up when you have two offers on the table and can't make up your mind, or when you'd rather not think about something because any answer is going to cost you.
Nobody's judging you for taking a pause, but it can't last forever. Keeping your arms crossed all the time is tiring. Asking someone you trust for their opinion, or writing down what you feel, will help you take the blindfold off.
Two of Swords in love
Feelings kept behind armor, or a choice you keep putting off. Opening up will give you the answer.
If you're in a relationship
There may be a topic you're both avoiding. From the outside the relationship looks calm, but there's tension underneath.
If you're single
Maybe you're torn between two people, or you protect yourself so much that you don't let anyone in. Lowering your guard a little doesn't mean losing control.
If you're thinking about an ex
You're stuck between texting them again and moving on for good. You'll see it more clearly once you stop looking only at what's convenient to see.
At work
A stalemate, a negotiation on hold, or two offers you can't figure out how to compare. Get more information before you choose.
Stalled negotiations, postponed decisions, or two paths you don't know how to compare. Before choosing, ask for the details you're missing, like the terms, the deadlines or the real salary.
Money
There are expenses you keep putting off, or you have to choose between two similar options. Put the numbers on paper and compare them.
Health and well-being
Tension that builds up from not deciding or from bottling up what you feel. Slow breathing and some quiet time help loosen it.
As feelings, as a person and as the future
As feelings
They have feelings, but they keep them under lock and key. They're unsure, they're protecting themselves, and they'd rather not show their hand until they know what they want.
As a person
Someone cautious and reserved, who avoids conflict and takes a long time to decide.
As the future
You're going to have to choose. The more you prepare now, the easier it will be when the day comes.
Two of Swords reversed
The decision can't wait any longer, or there's so much information it overwhelms you.
When the Two of Swords shows up reversed, it says the decision can't wait any longer, or that you have so much information it's overwhelming. In love, a truth that was being avoided may come out. At work it warns of pressure to decide fast. Stick to what really matters and don't let other people choose for you.
As a yes or no answer
Maybe
Maybe, but you can't see it right now. In the Two of Swords, someone blindfolded chooses not to look. The answer will come once you dare to look at all your options.
Do the readingWrite down the pros and cons of each option.
Two of Swords FAQ
Is the Two of Swords a yes or no card?
It's a maybe. The answer is there, but you're not ready to look at it head on yet.
What does the Two of Swords mean in love?
Feelings that are heavily guarded, or a choice that keeps getting postponed. To know what you want, you'll need to lower your guard a bit.
Why is the woman in the Two of Swords blindfolded?
The blindfold is the choice not to look at something painful or scary. It also suggests the answer will have to come from within before it comes from outside.