Much as I like to see myself as spreader of sunshine, flowers and happy rays, I know as well as anyone sometimes life is just plain hard. Pain is part of this material plane; to deny its existence is to deny reality. You don’t automatically erase pain by pretending it’s not there. Feeling that grief, crying those tears, and facing the sense of loss may be required on the road to acceptance (and hence, moving forward, out of the storm).

Today’s Tarot is the Three of Swords , nicknamed the “Heartbreak card.” The traditional version doesn’t need much interpretation—the illustration is so vivid, it leaves no doubt. This rendition from the Tarot Nova, not quite as dramatic as the  thrice-stabbed heart, still communicates the pain of amputation quite clearly. The sense of being wounded and missing part of oneself is pronounced.

The card is timely as well, associated with Saturn in Libra. Whether it appears referring to a literal breakup or another painful situation doesn’t matter; when you see this card, you know there is always loss and an accompanying sense of deprivation (Saturn) from the beloved (Libra). In short, a connection has been severed.

Readers wince when they see “negative” cards in a reading, and I understand. But really, there’s no need. Tarot wouldn’t be of much use as a tool if painful or challenging energies had no expression in the lexicon. So accept them as much as you would lighter card. When you see difficult cards come up, understand it’s just not about doom and gloom. It’s reason to take extra note. By paying attention, you gain additional control and insight at a time when it’s especially needed. We can weather the difficulty by facing it and looking for ways to consciously manage the sting and address our needs along the way.

And with Saturn in Libra, I have been seeing a lot of this energy in different forms: people evaluating their relationships, their jobs, their family connections, coming to terms with lack in multiple arenas, addressing what is not working (Saturn), what is not fair (Libra), what is not balanced (Libra) and not tenable for the long haul (Saturn). Me, too. I don’t exactly enjoy it, but I do welcome it. It’s not pointless pain. Under this transit, with the pain comes opportunity for real change. What doesn’t work can be replaced with what does. Understanding that nuance is key to working with this energy.

The Three of Swords highlights the pain of severing an important connection. The emotional storm may be intense but it also doesn’t last forever. The message here is to acknowledge the importance and validity of your feelings. Your loss is real, so grant yourself the permission to grieve as needed. But do remember that sharpness of the pain dulls over time. Most importantly, though, look hard at what wasn’t working. Looking at it objectively not only removes some of the sting, but it gives you tools for the future. You may be able to use insights built from the pain to build a more solid foundation to grow from. The Three of Swords tells you as much.

You dealing with any Three of Swords pain? How you doing?

Tarot: The Complete Kit (Miniature Editions) by Dennis Fairchild

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