My eyes are open but shut to what is seen.
II of Swords Spell
Stalemate,
checkmate,
This decision is a weighted wait;
or is it a waited weight?
My eyes are open,
but shut to what is seen.
Two choices: both good, both bad,
both are in between.
I'm betwixt;
I've got it twisted.
The problem's persisted.
If I stay here, my fears will steer—
but, if I go, won’t they just follow?
Which rules: head or heart?
What are the rules?
Is this a finish or a start?
My mind is unkind
to feelings and intuition;
My heart is apart
from thoughts and reason.
Logic versus emotion,
is like a weak potion—
a baseless decision.
Indecision, imprecision,
My own prison:
thoughts bashing around
without passion.
Both shall be considered
until I'm no longer bewildered.
I can't stay here,
with or without fear,
covering my heart
and shielding my mind
with swords that stab
each other blind.
My complete self—my wealth—
I will find inside.
The answers to my questions
and the questions to my answers
therein reside.
…Now, wait a second—
what did I decide?
Keywords & Card Content
KEYWORDS: STALEMATE, DIFFICULT CHOICES, AMBIVALENCE
IMAGE
Two long swords cross in front of Eight’s heart. The points rise above her head, stabbing two evil eyeballs. Swords stand upright in her eyes. The sun illuminates half of the sky with sun streaks. On the other side, the moon rules with shards of darkness. In the center of these two forces, a double-headed crow carries Eight’s red ribbons in its talons. Vacant holes hold no eyes. Did Eight steal them after it took her pretty things? Or was she given knowledge in exchange for her special bows? Only the crow knows—and that’s the ambivalence of the II of Swords.
DIVINATORY MEANING
The number two in tarot has to do with the ideas of balance and duality. All of our choices have a spectrum of consequences. In the II of Swords, you’re at the proverbial crossroads and both paths have benefits and detriments. It’s up to you to look within and discern the final outcome.
While weighing the pros and cons of each position can be helpful, sometimes the best decision still ends up harming someone along the way, even yourself. Once you commit to your decision, understand that you only did what you thought was best. Learn from any mistakes moving forward. You might need to sacrifice something trying to resolve this problem. Consulting a higher being, mentor, or voice within yourself might give you the insight you need to stab through the mottled vision. You might have to give up what you want to get what you need—or give up what you need to get what you want. This is uncomfortable and it’s okay to sit with that discomfort until you find comfort in your answer. If you stick to the Rule of Three–the idea that whatever you give to others you will receive three times, magnified– your decision-making may feel lighter.
EIGHT’S INSIGHT
If you’re feeling completely stuck with a decision, your first thoughts are usually your gut instincts. Our bodies don’t lie. Listen to your basic needs and cover those. Then think about what you need the most that you aren’t getting. If something feels off about a situation, we can usually feel it in our throats, our chest, our gut. Make it feel right. Go with that. Sometimes in dysfunction, we’ve been taught to ignore our bodies and minds in attempts to control or manipulate. You don’t have to fall for those tricks anymore! You can trust your own mind and heart. They might not always agree though.
If you keep having the same problem again and again, maybe a different concept altogether is the remedy. You might have to determine the lesser of two evils and go from there. What’s worse for you and better for someone else might not be the same thing. It might also be: you can’t really hide from this major choice, so just select the one you resist least and move on from there.