Two of Swords Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes or No

Upright meaning

Keywords: At a crossroads · Decision on hold · Looking away on purpose · A delicate balance · Waiting for the right moment

A blindfolded woman holds two swords crossed over her chest. She isn't putting either one down. She's simply holding on. Just as she keeps her back to the sea, you may be choosing not to look at something that's been bothering you. This isn't the time to rush into an answer. First, get honest about what you've been avoiding.

Love

Your heart keeps swinging back and forth between two options. If you're single, time is slipping by while you go back and forth on whether to make a move. If you're in a relationship, you're both putting off a conversation that needs to happen. Before you decide anything, ask yourself what fear is keeping you stuck.

Relationships

Things look calm on the surface, but you're both holding back what you really want to say. No arguments doesn't always mean all is well.

Career & study

You're putting off a choice between two options. If you're waiting on results or a reply, it may take a little longer.

Money

Money is at a standstill, with not much coming in and not much going out. Hold off on any big purchases for now and give them more thought.

Mind & wellbeing

Your mind keeps racing while your body feels frozen. Trying so hard not to think about the problem is actually wearing you out even more.

As a person

Someone who dislikes conflict and keeps their feelings to themselves whenever they can. They may seem calm, but inside they tend to mull things over alone for a long time.

As someone's feelings

They do have feelings for you, but they haven't worked out what to do about them yet. If they're holding back, it's not a lack of interest. They're still putting off a decision.

What to do

Write the two options you're torn between side by side, and under each one, jot down the thing that worries you most. You don't need to decide today. Just notice what you've been avoiding.

Watch out for

It can feel like a problem will go away if you don't look at it, but it's still there. The longer you hold on, the more worn out you'll feel, like arms aching from holding those swords.

Reversed meaning

Keywords: Indecision · Information overload · Dodging the decision · A choice that can't wait · Facing how you really feel

The balance you've been holding, blindfolded and gripping two swords, is starting to wobble. You've researched so much and heard so many opinions that now you can't choose anything at all. The choice you've been blocking with those crossed arms is right in front of you. You don't need more information. It's time to admit that your heart is already leaning one way.

Love

You're so busy weighing up whether this person is right that your own feelings have been pushed aside. If you're single, comparing everyone on paper may be costing you real chances. If you're in a relationship, it's getting hard to dodge the conversation you've been putting off. Forget the calculations for a moment and remember whether you felt at ease together.

Relationships

What's being said and what's really felt don't match up here. Instead of testing the other person, sharing your own thoughts first will clear up a lot of misunderstanding.

Career & study

You've gathered so much data and so many opinions that your decision is getting delayed. A deadline is coming, so pick one clear priority and make your choice.

Money

You keep comparing options and can't commit, so opportunities are slipping away. Rather than reading one more review, ask yourself whether you truly need it.

Mind & wellbeing

One thought leads to another, and your mind won't switch off even at bedtime. Stop feeding it more information for now and give yourself a proper break.

As a person

Someone careful who tends to leave decisions to others. They know all the pros and cons, but rarely say what they actually want.

As someone's feelings

They think about you a lot, but they can't make up their mind, so they keep weighing things up. Because they're unsure, their words and actions may not seem to match.

What to do

Close the search tab for a bit, and write one sentence about which way your heart is leaning on the thing you're stuck on. That sentence is closer to your answer than you might think.

Watch out for

If you keep collecting other people's opinions, you'll lose sight of your own answer. Put it off long enough and circumstances will end up choosing for you.

Symbols in the picture

A blindfolded woman sits on a stone bench, arms crossed over her chest, holding two swords. She hasn't picked either one. She's holding steady and putting off the decision on purpose.

• Blindfold. A cloth is tied tightly over both of her eyes. She's chosen not to look, afraid that seeing would shake her resolve. She's shutting out the outside world and trying to decide from within. When this card appears, it means there's something you don't want to know. It isn't that you don't know.
  Reversed: Her eyes are covered, but information keeps getting through, and pretending not to see has become harder than just looking. When this card appears reversed, it means you already know the answer and are acting as if you don't.
• Crossed Arms. Her arms cross in an X over her chest. This pose shields the heart and keeps feelings from flowing in or out. She has locked her heart up tight so she won't get hurt. When this card appears, it means you've closed your heart to protect yourself from being hurt.
  Reversed: Arms held tight in an X across the chest eventually start to go numb. When this card appears reversed, it means you're spending too much energy keeping your heart closed and holding on.
• Two Swords. Two long swords rise high above her shoulders. These are two opposing thoughts in tense balance. Lowering either one would tip the scales, so she holds both and waits. When this card appears, it means both sides make sense, so you can't choose either one.
  Reversed: Trying to keep both swords raised, she ends up telling one side one thing and the other side something else. When this card appears reversed, it asks you to check whether you're saying different things to different people because you don't want to lose either option.
• Stone Bench. She sits upright on a square stone bench. This is stubbornness that won't budge, and the strength to endure. It's a solid seat, but one that doesn't move an inch. When this card appears, it means you've chosen to stay put and hold steady for now.
  Reversed: The stone bench she sat on so firmly has become too hard to stay on. When this card appears reversed, it's time to admit that not moving was a choice too.
• The Sea Behind Her. Wide water stretches out behind her. Swords stand for thoughts, and water stands for feelings. She has turned her back on her emotions and is getting by on logic alone. When this card appears, it means you're deliberately ignoring what you really feel.
  Reversed: The feelings you turned your back on keep churning inside you. When this card appears reversed, it means that before your head has finished weighing things up, your heart has already leaned one way.
• Rocks in the Water. A few rocks poke up out of the calm water. These are obstacles that were hidden below the surface. Things may look calm, but the problem you're avoiding is still there. When this card appears, it means the problem you've put off hasn't gone away. It's still right there.
  Reversed: The rocks sticking out of the water are now too noticeable to ignore. When this card appears reversed, it means it's your turn to face the problem you've been avoiding.
• Crescent Moon. A thin crescent moon hangs in the upper right of the sky. It gives only a faint night light, so not everything can be seen yet. Some also see it as a sign that, just as the moon grows full, the time to decide is coming soon. When this card appears, it means you've paused until you have all the information.
  Reversed: Waiting for the moon to fill, you keep gathering information and only end up more confused. When this card appears reversed, it means it's not the time to learn more. It's time to choose with what you already know.