Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

Three swords piercing a heart; cloud and rain behind.

About the Deck

Pivotal and canonical, this deck defined a new pattern that would be followed up to the present.

Provenance

Designed by A.E. Waite and Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. England, 1911.

Meaning of Three of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

Upright

Removal, absence, delay, division, rupture, dispersion, and all that the design signifies naturally, being too simple and obvious to call for specific enumeration.

Reversed

Mental alienation, error, loss, distraction, disorder, confusion.

According to Many Schools of Thought

Papus's Divinatory Meanings

Hatred.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Upright

For a woman, the flight of her lover.

Reversed

A meeting with one whom the Querent has compromised; also a nun.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

A Nun, Separation, Removal, Rupture, Quarrel

Reversed

Error, Confusion, Misrule, Disorder.

Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings

victory over an adversary; you will take a sea voyage, and on ship-board become acquainted with some one who will have great influence upon your happiness; when you reveal your secret to a certain person, the wish will be obtained which you cherish in the most secret corner of your heart.