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.