III – Three of Swords♠

Three of Swords is the storm of heartbreak, the revelation of painful truths, and the sorrow that brings growth. Attributed to Saturn in Libra, this card bears the title Sorrow—the necessary pain that comes when illusions are shattered and the heart must face reality without the comfort of self-deception.

The Three of Swords teaches that grief is part of the journey, and that wisdom is found in healing and acceptance. Three swords pierce a heart amid falling rain and dark clouds—the iconic image of emotional pain laid bare. Yet this is not meaningless suffering but the surgery of truth, the cutting away of that which is false so that authentic feeling can emerge.

Corresponding to Binah, Understanding, in the airy world, this card embodies the sorrowful wisdom that comes from truly comprehending loss. The Three of Swords asks you to honor your feelings and allow yourself time to recover. It teaches that some truths can only be understood through suffering, and that the heart, once broken and mended, becomes wiser and more resilient than before.