Three of Swords as Love Outcome (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Three of Swords is the card of heartbreak, grief, sorrow, loss, trauma, and separation. Three swords pierce a heart, while it rains in the background. The three swords represent the pain inflicted by words, actions, and intent on our emotional and physical selves. Though this may seem dreary and dire, the storm will not last forever, and the sun will come out.  

The Three of Swords reminds us that love and pain are often interconnected. Sometimes we have to experience heartbreak in order for us to learn the difficult lessons that we need to succeed in a future relationship. The Three of Swords also reminds us that the pain we experience is not forever. We can take the swords out, and we will heal. 

Upright Three of Swords as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Three of Swords, that means that you will learn an important karmic lesson from this relationship. It is astrologically associated with Saturn in Libra. Saturn is the planet of karma, burden, and responsibility. Libra symbolizes the scales of karmic justice. Drawing this card is usually an indication that you’re in a karmic relationship. These relationships are never easy, but we learn so much about ourselves and humanity through these relationships. 

The Three of Swords as love outcome is a sign of learning from mistakes. Although this relationship is dissatisfying, in the long run it will teach you, not only what you don’t want, but what you do want out of a relationship. Oftentimes we find ourselves in disappointment because we lacked understanding of what we wanted, and what those “wants” really entail. Sometimes we learn that what we saw as less desirable was exactly what we needed to feel comfortable in our own skin, heal, and grow. The number 3 in numerology is all about learning lessons and growing pains. Whether this relationship teaches you about betrayal, knowing your worth, or even the value of money, your soul came out of this wiser than it was before.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Three of Swords as love outcome means the relationship will not be easy. Your relationship styles may be very different from your person. As a result, you could end up with misunderstandings to incidents that may leave you feeling disrespected. This may be unintentional, or your person may be doing it on purpose to hurt you. Your person could be insecure and put you in third-party situations as a control tactic.  If you feel like your person is purposefully manipulating you to keep you insecure, you deserve better.

If you are in a new relationship, the Three of Swords as love outcome means both of you still need healing. This is the energy of the saying, “hurt people tend to hurt people.” One or both of you might need to process and heal from a past relationship or a childhood trauma before entering into new relationships. Before this happens, you might end up unintentionally hurting your partner, or becoming easily hurt by your partners. Saturn in Libra can be heavy on the heart. Protect your heart.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Three of Swords as love outcome means it’s probably time to re-evaluate the relationship. You may have reached a point where you have realized that you are in a karmic relationship. This card’s astrological association with Saturn, the planet of karma, is an indication of that. The unhealthy dynamics of this relationship may have shone a light on the karmic lessons you need to learn in this lifetime. That being said, you don’t have to stay with a karmic partner to “graduate” your lesson. Know when to walk away, it’s time to use your soul lessons for a more emotionally fulfilling relationship.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Three of Swords as love outcome means feeling helpless and lonely. If you are separated by distance, you may feel anxious and even depressed because you’re not sure how this long-distance relationship will turn out. You could be arguing about your future all the time, or there could be concerns about a third party situation. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, your person is heartbroken over your breakup. They could also be heartbroken over the fact that they broke your heart. Maybe they’ve come to the realization that hurting others only hurts ourselves.

Reversed Three of Swords as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Three of Swords reversed, that means that there is disappointment with how things turned out. However, when drawn in the reverse, you and your person could be determined to heal the relationship. If they were in the wrong, they want to apologize and mend things. If you were in the wrong, they’re trying their best to forgive you.  Your person just wants to move on from that painful event so you can move forward together. If your person has unhealthy behavioral patterns or habits, they are hoping to improve themselves for the sake of the relationship.

The Three of Swords reversed as love outcome is a sign of healing from a painful period in a relationship. Because it is astrologically associated with Saturn, there are undertones of burden and responsibility. Your person may feel like any mistakes they have made are a burden to them. They have acknowledged that it’s their responsibility to ensure that the relationship is repaired.  Libra is an energy of wanting to do right by you, and be fair in their dealings from now on. They’re worried that you will never forgive them. 

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Three of Swords reversed as love outcome means one or both of you are still healing from past relationship. Drawing this card in reverse may also indicate being on guard. One or both of you may be worried about getting hurt.  Usually, it’s unhealthy to enter into relationships in an unhealed state, especially if one party is just using the other as a rebound. However, when we see this card in reverse, it could be a signal that this relationship in itself can heal you both. Take it slow as proper healing always takes time.

If you are in a new relationship, the Three of Swords reversed as love outcome means healing each other from a previous relationship. If you feel like you’ve started off on the wrong foot, drawing this card in the reverse is a positive sign. There’s still hope. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your person, as it could strengthen your bond with each other. Make sure you always remember that your current partner is not your ex. So don’t project your fears about your past partners to your current person, as Libra advises us to be fair.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Three of Swords reversed as love outcome means you’re healing from a rough patch in your relationship. There could have been a Tower moment in your relationship. When this card is drawn in the reverse, it indicates that you’re slowly moving past the most intense part of processing what happened. Saturn in Libra represents a period where the guilty party takes responsibility for the part that they played in what happened. The wrong party might still feel disappointment, and that’s okay. Your person may feel deep regret if they are the guilty party.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Three of Swords reversed as love outcome means you’re both healing from shared difficulties. If you are separated by distance, you may have gone through a trying time together. Long-distance relationships are never simple or easy. However, both of you are trying to heal from these past hurts and move past them. If you are inquiring about an ex you’re interested in reconciling with, they’re trying to heal from the break up. Whether this means they’ll be open to reconciliation will depend on whether they still see hope in your relationship, or whether they feel moving on would be a better option for them.

Conclusion

For love readings, the Three of Swords represents pain and heartbreak. Though no one wants to go through pain and experience grief, it is often a necessary part of growth. Pain is here to teach us valuable lessons, so that we may be more open to receiving true, healthy love. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.