Two of Swords
01.30.05 (5:55 am) [edit]Continuing the journey we come upon the “two of swords” a card that I find interesting and one that I like to meditate on from time to time; I find that in times of stress it is a grounding card for me. The figure in the two of swords is sitting in a very upright position with two swords crossed over his or her chest and at first glance seems to be in repose and at peace. However on closer observation one begins to notice a certain tension that is present and it would seem that caution is needed in approaching such a person.
After the moment of clarity that the Ace of Swords gives, and after all the plans to learn from past experiences and not to relive them, it is time for the journey upon the road to continue and for the wheel to begin turning again. Why does a card that says “peace” show a figure that could come across as perhaps dangerous in some undefined sense? Well one obvious reason is the two of swords! The sword could be a rest or they could point to an inner struggle that could become manifest in the outer world of personal relationships, where anyone within striking distance would be a target. I suppose that finding peace of mind on any kind of level that is permanent, would take a great deal of focus based on years of practice and discipline. I often speak of the wheel, the number 10 card in the Major Arcana of the tarot, and for me one of the most powerful symbols in the whole deck. It shows how our feelings, emotions which have a strong bearing on our thoughts (if left unchecked) will continually pass from one state to another, from joy to sadness, from love to anger and resentment, from excitement to being bored…..round and round and round we go and where it stops no one knows….of course it does not stop. The two of swords can be the beginning of true insight in the nature of the mind and how important it is to remain in the moment, to be able to be aware of the inner tension and chaos and also of the peace and also of moments of integration without being sucked into them since they are transitory by nature and will fade into something else
The two of swords if truly a state of awareness, is situated in the center of the wheel which never turns but simply “is” and in a constant state of rest and peace, though the actual experience may not be peaceful much of the time. Insight brings with it responsibility and a loss of the ability to make oneself a victim, it leads to the understanding that being present to the moment, observing ones state of mind will allow the holding of that inner tension that leads to peace with oneself and others in the long run. In the short run one will appear peaceful to others. That is because clarity is present and the luxury of blame is taken away, one takes full responsibility for the inner reactions that life draws from us; it allows us to ask the proper questions that need to be asked, it allows us to focus (if we are on a spiritual path) on the presents of the “Beloved” and to seek grace and healing and objectivity in the present moment.
In order to do this all fear of the many different states we encounter has to be let go of. The tension of the two of swords will give us the strength to be able to “bear” the very burden that we can be to ourselves without becoming a burden to those around us; for if we do not keep the battle within were only true peace can be found we will take it to those around us and be at war a war that cannot be won, since others will not change for us, nor should they. It also saves us from harsh judgments that are often false and based on a narrow understanding on how others should be or how they should act around us. Others are not there for our inner comfort but are teachers who hold up a mirror that shows us our own reflection. It is often a hard task to actually understand what is being shown to us since we project onto others the very things we dislike or hate about ourselves but will not face; so others are forced to carry our own burden and then we punish them for it. We can do this since much of our judgments of others are true, what is often not understood we are in reality judging ourselves.
The two of swords is related to both the “High Priestess” and “Justice” in the Major Arcana. The High Priestess represents the ability to see inner connections by intuition and gives a broad understanding of the undercurrents of life. Justice also is based on balance, in not coming to conclusions to quickly, in not believing first reactions which lead the mind to make judgments that are often unfair and most likely based on the compulsive and defensive side. In other words these kinds of thoughts do not come from the center of the Wheel but from the outer edges which are in constant motion and turning.
Peace comes with a price, but one well worth paying. Life has to be faced and the tensions have to be lived through without seeking to escape by blaming those “outside”. Blame can give at best only a fleeting feeling of peace, but since it is not based on anything real it will only complicate matters and put off the lessons to be learned and the healing and insight that comes from them.
Peace
mitch