(i) Two of Swords YouTube Video
My new YouTube channel is : Thoth Tarot Videos. The YouTube presentation for the Two of Swords can be accessed by clicking on the icon below:
(ii) Thoth Two of Swords
With the Two of Swords, the swords cross in the centre of a blue rose. The glyph of the moon is balanced on a dagger at the top of the card, and at the bottom the sign of Libra is supported by another dagger.
(iii) Rider Waite Two of Swords
(iv) Two of Swords & The Tree of Life
Chockmah in Yetzirah. Chockmah is ruled by Uranus
Chockmah is one of the higher sephira on the tree of life so there is no real chaos or conflict in this card which is so inherent in this suit. Hence Crowley changes from the original golden dawn title ‘Lord of Peace Restored’ to just’ Peace’ as there has been no conflict yet .
(v) Shemhamphorasch Angels of the Two of Swords
Iezalel: Reconciliation. Faithful servant, friendship. Balance of masculine and feminine. Order and harmony.
Mebahel: Commitment, altruism, unconditional love Equity, re-establishment of natural order. Respectful conduct towards the environment. Meditation.
(vi) Astrology of the Two of Swords
1. Decan : 1st decan (0 – 10 °) of Libra ruled by the Moon
2. Moon in Libra : This is a fairly happy combination. Your Moon Sign describes your instinctive or emotional energies. With the Moon in the sign of Libra, you are likely to have a deep need for peace and harmony in your life. Libra is symbolized by the Scales, relating to any area of life requiring balance. This need extends from your personal environment to your working life, and the relationships you have with others.
(vii) Philosophy of the Two of Swords
The purpose of the card is NEUTRALITY, being neither good or bad and so we have a quality of BALANCE coming through here. However, as previously mentioned, the suit of swords and the element air come from the turmoil between fire and water, like War of the Roses: with Michael Douglas & Kathleen Turner (1989):
The suit of swords is the ‘child’ of the Goddess who attempts to give the swords a connection to the DIVINE and greater harmony.
(viii) Symbology of the Two of Swords
Guard of Each Sword = a dove & angelic figures kneeling in prayer = symbol of peace.
Pin wheels in background = constant activity of air or the mind. So despite relative peace of the card it is only a temporary stay from what is in the background for the client.
Blue Rose = emits white rays forming the geometrical pattern in the background.
5 Rose Petals = represents the letter HE, the letter of the Goddess (remember the tetragrammaton) . Hence this card carries some of her more gentle characteristics as represented by the peaceful colours of the card.
(ix) Quotes from the Book of Thoth
“This suit…is always complicated and represents the shaking up resulting from the conflict of fire and water” (p.204)
“The Two of Swords was formerly called the Lord of Peace Restored, but this word ‘restored’ is incorrect, because there has been no disturbance. The Lord of Peace is therefore a better title: but it needs thinking hard to work this out, since the sword is so intensely active” (p.178)
Hence the contradiction here.. due to this innate activity we must eventually move position and CHOOSE !
(x) Divinatory Meanings of the Two of Swords
(a) Upright
The client is having a difficult time making up their mind about something and cannot make a choice. It is not an acute situation but something more that sits in the background and occasionally surfaces.
They may be dealing with the pros and cons of a situation (represented by the lunar fluctuations).
Other words used to describe this card are ‘stagnancy’ or ‘passivity’ but there is no chaos going on in the background.. yet !
With the Rider Waite card we get more insight into this card:
The blindfolded woman in this card is also an indication that you lack the information you need to make the right decisions at this time. You may be missing something , or important pieces of information.
Once you have this insight and the blindfold is removed you can see the situation for what it is and you will be in a much better position to make the decision that is right for you.
With the 2 of swords, your decisions should be geared towards bringing greater peace and harmony in your life.
(b) Reversed
Hasty decisions resulting in lack of harmony and balance in your life.
Extended period of stalemate without being any clearer on the choices that confront you and the way forward.
Confusion and stress due to information overload. No decision and no harmony is the worst of both worlds.
(xi) Affirmation for the Two of Swords
1. I am able to choose wisely to bring my life into harmony and balance
(xii) Recommended Video Links
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Thanks so much for all your presentations. Regarding the Waite deck I heard from one teacher that the blindfold indicates being able to make decisions / being able to ‘see’ from a deeper sense so instead of perceiving with the physical eyes one perceives from greater overall awareness. Reminds me of a martial arts movie where the opponents fought blindfolded and thus showed their higher level of skill and awareness. You know – not seeing only the apparent reality. Thanks again.
Bill
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Peace restored makes sense to me. After the turmoil of Fire and Water, (masculine and feminine) are balanced move into the air element.