Your mind… friend or foe?
The three of swords fascinates me, because it appears both violent and sanitized all at the same time. Swords are about intellect, sharp wittedness, the mind, thoughts, values and beliefs. Hearts are about love, feelings, and hurt. So we have to start with the idea that the mind is managing matters of the heart. Swords (thoughts) are stabbing the heart, making it glow deep red, like an angry wound that is still very raw. For this reading, go into your heart for a moment. Find an injury that still feels pretty raw. Now notice this card with me. We see it is hurting because it shows cracks, glowing red, looks like it’s throbbing. But if it was a fresh wound, wouldn’t there be blood? That’s the sanitized part. Clearly it’s been cleaned up to be palatable, presented in a way that might make it more manageable.
The Three of Swords, A Sterilized Wound
This wound has been with us for a while. Why are the swords so neatly arranged? Perfect symmetry, which we know is generally not how injuries are sustained in a battle. So since we are talking about swords, it would seem that the thoughts are already arranged in a way that seems like a safer way to see things, bravely showing the wounds but keeping the messiness out of the picture. Even the swords are lovely. Yikes. The thoughts have been structured, maybe even rehearsed in a way that is… attractive? Acceptable? Feelings often show up in clusters.
Who would you be without the thought?
Go back into the injury you picked. List all the feelings associated with that memory. Even though we are dealing with feelings, notice there are no cups present. Which means we are dealing with our injury on an intellectual level only. Which feelings are easier emotions for you? Do any stand out as empowering? Maybe even soothing in some way? Or maybe easier because you are at least familiar with them? Which feelings are you afraid to feel? Notice that it is the thoughts that are stabbing the heart. Where are your thoughts causing you injury?
Did you choose those thoughts because they protected your heart in some way? How old were you? Does that still serve you? What are the beliefs underneath those thoughts? If you pull out the swords (thoughts) what happens to the wound? What about your beliefs about yourself? Who are you without that sword? That’s a great question that answers why we would keep those thoughts around. If you pull out that belief, what parts would you have to rethink about who you are? How do you feel about those parts? What would it take for you to start accepting those parts of yourself today?
