CARD OF THE WEEK: February 27-March 3, 2023

 

 Two of Swords

Universal Waite Tarot

 based on art by Pamela Colman Smith

with coloring by Mary Hanson-Roberts

 

February 27-March 3, 2023: That's a moon in flux (crescent) and a shifting body of water behind the Two of Swords figure firmly seated on a narrow stone bench and ground. Though blindfolded--or maybe because the sense of sight is not available--the swords bearer could be more finely sensitized to the environment than expected. I imagine sitting there and feeling the cold sweep of wind over water, hearing and feeling the rough roll of the water itself. The moon, itself, might whisper of changes in store.

Gripping a sword handle in each hand, the swords bearer takes a protective stance over chest and heart.

While the traditional interpretation of Two of Swords speaks of verbal or ideological conflict--not so much a meeting of the minds as a clashing of the minds--we can also consider new information about this image.

If the swords bearer's sensitivity detects large, powerful shifts in the environment, a protective stance could be understandable. Of course, all that bluster and resistance might be what faces you--not what you are doing.

In a reading, try to sense whether this refers to the querent or someone or something in the querent's experience. Nearby cards should help you determine that and whether Two of Swords represents a justified and positive response. As a card-of-the-week, though, consider how disturbances and disruptions should be handled, especially in terms of arguments or any verbal expression.

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CARD OF THE WEEKEND: August 6-7, 2022

 

Two of Swords

The Light and Shadow Tarot

by Brian Wiliams with art by Michael Goepferd

August 6-7, 2022: Early in my Tarot journey, I learned that Two of Swords signifies a clash of ideas and words, a meeting of the minds--on a field of battle! It can also indicate one person's internal conflict, and artist Michael Goepferd depicts it here as a figure wearing a blindfold and positioning the feet in a way that restricts movement. The swords also lock in a cross in front of the figure's headdress like a shield.

I've never considered this before, but the Two of Swords is a big honking NO! card. It refuses. It resists. It leashes and controls. It's stubborn as hell, and it doesn't even want to take the risk of seeing what's right in front of it.

There are times that legitimately call for this sort of resistance and self-protection, just as there are times when this response turns into an unfortunate mistake. Consider that difference as you look at what's emerging within or around you this weekend. It's important to discern that difference and choose your next action wisely.

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CARD OF THE DAY: January 14, 2022

 

Two of Swords

from World Spirit Tarot

by Madame Onca O'Leary, Lauren O'Leary, and Jessica Godino

 

January 14, 2022: My Barbados-born dad was a smart guy--and a pretty open-minded one. He taught me some of the best lessons in my young life. One was this: "You have to learn the rules so you can break them."

I remember this often when I think of the basic ingredients that went into my headfirst dive into writing from childhood. It applies to my work with Tarot, too. I don't claim to know everything--for one thing, I am far from a learned Tarot historian--but I do respect the basic structure of the art, and I do enjoy having its basics and traditions close to hand when needed.

Today's card--Two of Swords--comes from World Spirit Tarot. It's a knockout. Such a clear, strong, dynamic image! Not all of the World Spirit images are great; in fact, a lot are murky, visually and in other ways. But this one really captures a sense of being imperiled by conflicting thoughts and impulses within oneself.

What it might not do, though--with its so specific imagery, unlike, say, a more abstract pip--is speak to your facing an external conflict like a disagreement with a co-worker, an argument with a relative, a tough practical choice that goes against your needs or values. Hey, even a literal fistfight!

That's when it helps to be able to know and remember some basic ideas and details that might not be visually represented in the style of the particular Tarot or oracle card you've drawn.

Basically (no pun), learn as much about the cards as you can in whatever way you can--and there are many. In a future post--perhaps the one for this coming weekend--I'll write about how meditating with any card can enrich your understanding of it.

For today, consider what this card might suggest for the need to get out of your own way. How are your own thoughts, ideas, and ways of communicating holding you back or tripping you up? How can you open up your awareness and stop fighting yourself?

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CARD OF THE DAY: December 14, 2021

 

 The Sun

from The Nigel Jackson Tarot

by Nigel Jackson

 

December 14, 2021: From deep down in one of my Tarot/oracle deck baskets comes the eponymous Nigel Jackson Tarot, which you'll especially enjoy if Euro-based tales of royal realms and knightly chivalry appeal to you. But if that's not your cultural jam, you might still find Jackson's art quite fetching, as I do.

Some more samples:

 

Today's card, The Sun, caught my eye this morning as I leafed through this deck. Then, after I shuffled the deck, the sunny one elbowed its way forward again, sure as Tarot. The Sun wants to be right here, right now.

Be glad. In The Sun, you have an ally in good fortune. Something major is in the works, some reward, some lovely turn of events. There will be cause to give thanks and celebrate. The Sun shines on you today. Embrace your joy!

CARD OF THE DAY: December 7, 2021

 

 II of Air (Two of Swords)

from The Tarot of the Orishas

by Zolrak with art by Durkon

 

December 7, 2021: The relationship I have with Tarot--and with Spirit, with the ancestors--has a good measure of humor. As I casually looked at a few cards from Zolrak and Durkon's Tarot of the Orishas before shuffling this deck, the II of Air (Two of Swords), in particular, caught my eye.

Something told me to be sure to shuffle the deck real well before drawing our Card of the Day, and I did. You can guess the rest, right?

II of Air. Wink!

If it's not enough that II of Air was the same card that drew my attention earlier, consider this: Two swans. What did I write, just yesterday, about a possible preference for animal imagery? Quite a jest from the orishas!

Although I am strongly interested in The Tarot of the Orishas from a cultural perspective, the quality of this deck's art design does not satisfy me. But the relationship a reader forges with a deck and its aesthetics is personal and, for some who share my interest in Afro-Atlantic traditions and practices, this deck might be exactly the one that works.

Here's another good sample, IV of Fire (Four of Wands). For Zolrak and Durkon, this represents family, community, unity, and could square with my usual interpretation of the Four of Wands, a symbol of collaboration and support:

 

IV of Fire (Four of Wands)

from The Tarot of the Orishas

by Zolrak with art by Durkon

Let's swing back to our II of Air swans, though. Durkon depicts them facing each other in a secluded, safe place. Zolrak notes how the trails of their movements--in time, in space, in life--have formed a heart in the water. Now that's a very striking difference--the deck creators' vision of harmony and loyalty--from the stark way we usually interpret the conflicting, clashing swords of Tarot's Two of Swords.

Let me take a moment to note that swans are way pretty but not to be messed with.

So, here's a prime example of a card that, due to these conflicting, clashing interpretations might give you something to chew (and possibly break your tooth) on.

I happen to adore both beauty and fierceness in birds. So, I'm going to go with...both!

And I'm going to counsel you to do the same and bring both your beauty and your fierceness into your day. How can they collaborate and support each other?

See what I did there? Sure! Feel free to take that IV of Fire as s bonus!