Two of Swords as External Influences (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Two of Swords is the card of difficult choices, feeling stuck in the middle, stalemates, and denial. This card shows a blindfolded woman holding two crossed swords. The swords represent the two choices that she is deciding between. She is undecided and finding it difficult to choose. Her blindfold indicates that she is not seeing the situation clearly and may not know the whole truth. 

The Two of Swords reminds us that difficult decisions are a part of life. They are a part of romance as well. Sometimes, we are the ones who have to make a tough call. Other times, we are waiting anxiously for someone else to make a decision that will affect us. The Two of Swords reminds us that we should always make the decision that feels most authentic to us. 

Upright Two of Swords as External Influences

If you are asking about external influences, and you draw the Two of Swords, it means that a stalemate or indecision, possibly caused by conflicting advice or perspectives, is impacting your situation. This could be due to receiving contrasting opinions from people you trust, making it difficult to choose a clear direction. Alternatively, it might indicate a situation where you are being pulled in different directions by obligations or desires that are equally important to you, leading to paralysis and an inability to move forward.

The Two of Swords as external influences can represent people such as mediators or individuals torn between two choices, whose uncertainty affects your own path. This could manifest in your life as a friend or family member who is trying to stay neutral in a situation that directly affects you, leaving you without the support you need to make a decision. It might also be a professional advisor or counselor whose guidance is more ambiguous than clarifying, contributing to your sense of indecision.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Two of Swords as external influences means that indecision or a reluctance to confront issues is preventing progress within the relationship. This might come from an external pressure, like family expectations that conflict with personal desires, creating tension and hesitation to commit fully. Or, it could be the influence of past relationships that leaves one or both partners unsure about how to proceed without repeating old mistakes, stalling the development of a deeper connection.

If you are asking about an ex, the Two of Swords in the external influences position means that unresolved feelings or the inability to make a clear decision regarding reconciliation or closure is affecting both parties. This could be due to friends or family who offer well-meaning but contradictory advice, making it hard to come to a resolution. It might also reflect internal conflicts within each person, where the heart and mind are at odds over what is best, keeping the situation in limbo.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Two of Swords in the external influences position means that their indecision or refusal to take sides in a conflict is impacting your relationship. This might be observed in a family dispute where a key member refuses to offer their opinion or support, leaving you feeling unsupported and isolated. Alternatively, it could be a friend who is hesitant to give advice or take a stand, despite the impact their neutrality has on your emotional well-being.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Two of Swords in the external influences position means that a deadlock or inability to decide on a career path or financial strategy is hindering progress. This could stem from conflicting advice from mentors or experts, where one suggests caution and the other advocates for risk-taking, leaving you unsure of the best course of action. Or, it might be due to an internal conflict between pursuing a passion that is less financially stable versus a more lucrative, but less fulfilling, career path, causing stagnation and dissatisfaction.

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Reversed Two of Swords as External Influences

If you are asking about external influences, and you draw the Two of Swords reversed, it means that the breaking of a stalemate or the forced confrontation of avoided issues is influencing your current circumstances. This could be due to an unexpected event or information coming to light that demands immediate attention, pushing you out of a period of indecision. It might also indicate the intervention of someone close to you, who, recognizing the need for action, challenges you to face what you’ve been avoiding, prompting a necessary shift towards resolution.

The Two of Swords reversed as external influences can represent people such as those who push for resolution or clarity, even if it leads to uncomfortable truths or decisions. This influence might come from a friend who insists on discussing an unresolved issue or from a therapist or counselor who guides you to confront deep-seated conflicts. Their insistence on addressing the matter directly can catalyze significant personal growth or change, even though the process may be challenging.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Two of Swords reversed as external influences means that external pressures are compelling both partners to address underlying issues, potentially leading to resolution or change. This might be the result of a crisis or an ultimatum from one partner, which serves as a wake-up call that the current state of limbo cannot continue. Alternatively, advice or observations from a trusted third party, such as a couple’s therapist, might highlight the need for open dialogue, encouraging both individuals to honestly discuss their feelings and concerns.

If you are asking about an ex, the Two of Swords reversed in the external influences position means that external factors are prompting a reevaluation of the relationship, leading to a clearer understanding of its end. This reevaluation could be sparked by new relationships or experiences that provide perspective on why the previous partnership didn’t work, or by mutual friends who facilitate a candid conversation about the breakup. These influences help both parties to process their emotions, offering a chance for closure and personal growth.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Two of Swords reversed in the external influences position means that a shift towards open communication or resolution of conflict is affecting your dynamic. This shift might be initiated by a significant event that brings underlying tensions to the surface, forcing both parties to confront and address their differences. It could also be the influence of another family member or mutual friend who plays a mediating role, encouraging honest conversation and helping to bridge the gap between differing perspectives.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Two of Swords reversed in the external influences position means that the necessity to make a decisive move or choice is becoming apparent, potentially leading to new opportunities. This urgency might be driven by changes in the market or industry that require a swift adaptation, or by a mentor or advisor who highlights the need for a strategic decision to advance your career. This push towards decisiveness can open doors to new paths and possibilities, encouraging growth and progress in your professional life.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Two of Swords represents deciding between two difficult choices. Sometimes, we are the one who is deciding. Other times, we are the ones who are waiting for an answer. It’s a hard situation to be in, but ultimately, you have to make the call that feels most authentic to you. 

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.