Two of Swords in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Two of Swords Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Air
The Two of Swords, in its general meaning, symbolises indecision, mental blockage, the need to choose between two options without having all the facts. It often represents a state of suspension, neutrality or temporary refusal to face reality. It is the card of inner doubt, but also of fragile peace that we try to preserve at all costs. In a reading, it indicates that you may be too focused on your mind, forgetting to listen to your heart or your intuition. It speaks of a balance to be maintained, but also of the importance of not remaining stuck. The Two of Swords invites you to look beyond appearances, accept the discomfort of ambiguity, and trust your inner wisdom to get through this phase. Choosing, even with uncertainty, is often more liberating than remaining stuck in non-choice.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Two of Swords readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Two of Swords
In matters of the heart, the Two of Swords evokes indecision, emotional blockage, or a refusal to make an emotional choice. It often represents a stagnant situation in which you or your partner are avoiding confronting a problem for fear of the consequences. It is the card of things left unsaid, of silence, and sometimes of protective withdrawal. It may indicate that you are torn between two people, two paths, or two versions of your relationship. The emotions are there, but they are repressed or put on hold by an overly active mind. For single people, this card suggests that you are hesitant to open your heart because of old wounds or a fear of rejection. The Two of Swords urges you to move beyond emotional denial, listen to your intuition and find the courage to take a stand, even if it means stepping outside your comfort zone.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Two of Swords
Professionally, the Two of Swords represents hesitation, a difficult choice to make, or a moment of fragile balance in your career. You may be facing an important decision (changing jobs, launching a project, leaving a job), but you are putting off making a decision for fear of making the wrong choice. You may also find yourself in a tense professional environment where communication is blocked or avoided. This card may indicate that you need to calm your mind, gather the missing information, and above all, reconnect with your deep feelings, beyond pure logic. The advice of the Two of Swords is not to remain in this mental paralysis for too long, as prolonged indecision eventually becomes a default decision.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Two of Swords
Financially, the Two of Swords highlights an internal conflict or a difficult budgetary choice. You may be hesitating between two major expenses, two ways of managing your money, or two material priorities. This card also reflects a tendency to avoid certain financial realities: postponed bills, lack of clarity in your accounts, or refusal to discuss money with a loved one. It calls for clarity and balance: to break out of stagnation, you must accept to see things as they are, even if it requires discipline. This is not the time to make impulsive decisions, but rather to observe, weigh your options thoroughly, and then decide calmly and fairly. Sometimes a reasonable compromise is possible — but it must be identified without burying your head in the sand.
Family reading
with the card Two of Swords
In the family sphere, the Two of Swords can indicate underlying tension, an uncomfortable silence or an avoided situation. It may be a latent conflict between two family members, a disagreement that has never been fully expressed, or a need to protect oneself from an emotionally tense atmosphere. This card often evokes a kind of ‘truce,’ a pause in communication, but one that does not resolve the underlying issue. It invites you to step out of family denial: even if talking about certain topics is difficult, it is sometimes necessary in order to restore a sincere balance. It can also represent a mediating role that you need to play between two sides or two generations. The key here is to restore fluid dialogue, starting by listening with openness and patience.
Spiritual reading
with the card Two of Swords
Spiritually, the Two of Swords speaks of an inner conflict between reason and intuition, or a blockage in your personal journey. You may be denying an inner truth or remaining neutral for fear of committing to a path. This card invites you to stop overthinking things and allow yourself to feel more, even if your feelings seem unclear at first. It also suggests a moment of unstable balance, where you are trying to maintain a precarious inner peace by avoiding certain essential questions. However, it is precisely by facing your dark side that you will find the light. The Two of Swords urges you to open your eyes — spiritually and symbolically — and courageously face the truths that your soul is trying to convey to you.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Two of Swords and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Two of Swords according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Two of Swords in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
