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 What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Three of Swords, it means that they might be seeking understanding or healing from heartbreak, communication about hurtful matters, or the need to confront grief. The person could be longing to gain a deeper understanding of their heartbreak, seeking insights that can help them make sense of their pain. They might also wish to openly communicate about matters that have caused them hurt, hoping that transparency can lead to resolution or reconciliation. Moreover, they may feel the need to confront their grief, recognising that facing their feelings is a crucial step in the healing process.

The Three of Swords as what someone wants can represent their need to comprehend their heartache, communicate their pain, or address their sorrow. They might be desiring to comprehend the roots of their heartache, seeking to unravel the circumstances or actions that led to their pain. The desire to communicate their pain suggests a need for an open and honest dialogue about their feelings, which they believe may help them process their emotions. Additionally, the need to address their sorrow indicates a willingness to engage with their feelings of sadness, acknowledging that this engagement is a necessary part of their emotional healing.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Three of Swords as what someone wants means they may desire honesty about hurts, healing from heartbreak, or a resolution to conflicts. They may wish for honesty about past or present hurts, believing that truthful conversations are key to mending the relationship. Healing from heartbreak could be another important desire, with the person hoping for a recovery phase that allows them to overcome the emotional turmoil caused by the heartbreak. Lastly, they might seek a resolution to conflicts, aspiring to settle disputes that have been causing tension or discord in the relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, the Three of Swords as what someone wants means they might be seeking understanding of the breakup, closure from emotional pain, or a way to manage their grief. They might wish for a clearer understanding of the reasons behind the breakup, believing that this comprehension can help them find closure. They might also seek closure from the emotional pain, hoping to reach a point where the pain no longer negatively impacts their daily life. Furthermore, they may be looking for ways to manage their grief, seeking strategies or practices that can help them process their feelings of loss.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Three of Swords as what someone wants means they may need honest conversations about hurtful issues, healing from past disputes, or a way to cope with their sadness. They might yearn for honest conversations about issues that have caused them pain, hoping that openness can lead to resolution. They could also seek healing from past disputes, longing for a reconciliation phase that allows them to let go of old grudges or resentments. Additionally, they may wish to find a way to cope with their sadness, seeking emotional support or guidance that can help them navigate their feelings.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Three of Swords as what someone wants means they might be seeking resolution to workplace conflicts, understanding of professional disappointments, or ways to cope with job-related stress. They might desire a resolution to workplace conflicts, hoping for a harmonious working environment that allows them to focus on their tasks. They could also seek a deeper understanding of their professional disappointments, believing that this insight can help them learn and grow from these experiences. Lastly, they might wish for ways to cope with job-related stress, seeking strategies or resources that can help them manage their work-related pressures.

Reversed Three of Swords as What Someone Wants

If you are asking about what someone wants, and you draw the Three of Swords reversed, it means that they may desire healing from past hurts, release of residual pain, or recovery from emotional turmoil. This suggests that the person is ready to deal with past emotional wounds, hoping that addressing these hurts can lead to a more peaceful state of mind. The desire to release residual pain may indicate their yearning to let go of any lingering emotional discomfort that could be hindering their present happiness. The need for recovery from emotional turmoil suggests their aspiration to move forward and rebuild their emotional resilience after enduring a difficult period.

The Three of Swords reversed as what someone wants can represent their longing for reconciliation, the need for emotional mending, or a wish for personal recovery from a painful episode. They might long for reconciliation, believing that resolving past disagreements or misunderstandings can lead to more harmonious relationships. The need for emotional mending indicates that they are ready to address and heal any emotional wounds that may be affecting their wellbeing. Their wish for personal recovery from a painful episode could indicate a determination to rise above past challenges and start anew.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Three of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they may be seeking healing and forgiveness, a release of past resentments, or a fresh start after a period of heartache. They might be seeking healing and forgiveness in the relationship, hoping that mutual understanding can mend emotional wounds. The desire for a release of past resentments indicates a wish to let go of any old grudges that could be damaging the relationship. Their yearning for a fresh start after a period of heartache suggests that they believe the relationship can still flourish once past hurts are addressed and overcome.

If you are asking about an ex, the Three of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they might be yearning for a complete emotional healing from the breakup, resolution of lingering resentments, or clarity about their feelings. They might be looking for complete healing after the breakup, seeking to regain their emotional balance and find peace in their single status. They may desire a resolution of any lingering resentments, hoping to let go of any negative feelings tied to the past relationship. Their desire for clarity about their feelings suggests a need to understand their emotional responses to the breakup better, which could aid in their healing process.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Three of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they could be seeking reconciliation, forgiveness for past hurts, or the healing of old wounds in the relationship. They might be hoping for reconciliation, believing that resolving past misunderstandings can strengthen the relationship. They might also desire forgiveness for past hurts, hoping that acknowledging and addressing these issues can lead to healing. Additionally, the desire to heal old wounds in the relationship indicates a readiness to address any lingering issues that may be affecting the relationship’s health.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Three of Swords reversed as what someone wants means they may be desiring resolution of professional conflicts, healing after job-related disappointments, or a recovery period after a stressful work phase. They may hope for a resolution of professional conflicts, believing that a harmonious workplace is crucial for their productivity. They could also be looking for healing after job-related disappointments, hoping that acknowledging these experiences can provide valuable lessons for future professional endeavors. Their desire for a recovery period after a stressful work phase suggests a recognition of the importance of rest and rejuvenation in maintaining their overall wellbeing and job performance.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, 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.