Tarot Cards of Heartache
3 OF SWORDS
Each sword piercing the 3 of Swords heart indicates pain in the past, present and future. Whether it’s pain from the loss of a loved one, a failed relationship or a situation that continues to haunt us, the 3 of Swords signifies an ongoing, all-consuming heartache. But heartache isn’t something to brush aside, it’s a part of life and something that we all need to deal with at some point. Through the 3 of Swords we begin to understand that heartache is a life experience that makes us whole, rather than something we’d prefer to avoid because it’s too challenging or painful.
QUEEN OF SWORDS
The Queen of Swords indicates the heartache of death and mourning. Her pain is deep and profound. She faces the future with determination to assimilate her experience into her future (double edge sword). Yes her heartache is underscored by isolation and loneliness, but her status as Queen is one of responsibility and action. The Queen of Swords reflects the lonely nature of grief but at the same time it points to the courage, dignity and strength that resides within us to successfully learn and deal with this universal challenge.
THE DEVIL
The Devil reflects an intimate relationship based on control, mistrust and lust. Such relationships are charged with insecurities and ultimately lead to unattainable lack of fulfilment resulting in heartache. But the heartache of the Devil isn’t exclusive to intimate relationships. This energy is found in all relationships and situations that are based on negative qualities such as mistrust, deceit, addiction, materialism, jealousy, betrayal and hatred. Heartache in this context is avoidable if fuelled by love, honesty and compassion.
5 OF SWORDS
The 5 of Swords reflects the experience of heartache through revengeful attack and retaliation. The gloves are off with the 5 of Sword, it’s a win or lose situation that shows a total lack of sensitivity or regard for the opponent. Resolution between parties has failed and retaliation is now fuelled by bitter revenge. There are no winners in the 5 of Swords, heartache is felt on both sides. The card can reflect a personal or professional situation where an individual or collective is in disagreement, which leads to revengeful attack and retaliation.
10 OF SWORDS
The 10 of Swords signifies heartache through the experience of betrayal. The card reflects the experience of being stabbed in the back but the number of swords broadens the concept to accumulative betrayal over a period of time. The 10 of Swords is one of the most dramatic cards in tarot and although the cards shows a high degree of suffering, the situation has come to an end. Finally you know where you stand and a new day dawns on the horizon, beckoning brighter perspective of a situation that will soon be behind you. Things can only get better from here.
5 OF CUPS
Heartache in the 5 of Cups refers to disappointment and loss. The figure in the card wears a black cape, indicating mourning over the loss of a loved one. The card also refers to relationships or situations where there’s a feeling of loss, disappointment or upset. Although the figure is absorbed by the overturned cups, over time there will be a recovery from the experience of heartache, symbolised by the two upturned cups. The upturned cups often refers to the idea of a relationship or situation recovering itself after an initial sense of loss or disappointment.