Two of Swords
Secret whisperBlindfolded, blades crossed, the sea is still — until you choose.
Upright meaning
Upright keywordsindecision, stalemate, difficult choice, avoidance
You are stuck between two options and avoiding the decision. Take off the blindfold and look at the facts.
Reversed meaning
Reversed keywordsinformation overload, confusion, a decision made, the lesser evil
Too much information, or a decision finally breaking through. Trust what you already know.
About the suit of Swords
Swords belong to Air: thought, truth, words, decisions and conflict. They cut both ways — bringing clarity, and the pain that clarity can cost.
Reading the Twos of the tarot
Twos speak of duality: balance, partnership and the choice between two paths.
In Waite’s own words (1910)
From A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, public domain. Original English text.
Divinatory meaning: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, courage, friendship, concord in a state of arms; another reading gives tenderness, affection, intimacy. The suggestion of harmony and other favourable readings must be considered in a qualified manner, as Swords generally are not symbolical of beneficent forces in human affairs.
Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.
The picture
A hoodwinked female figure balances two swords upon her shoulders.
