TWO OF SWORDS

PEACE RESTORED

The Two of Swords is one of those cards that to understand you need to mentally approach it from different angles. Let's start with the two swords on her shoulders. The artwork seems to imply that she's just holding them there but A.E. Waite makes it clear in his Pictorial Guide that she is BALANCING them on "upon her shoulders." To physically be able to do that must be a bit burdensome to this lady and swords being air signs and representing thoughts and mental activity we can deduct that one of the meanings of this card is a reconciliation of two burdensome thoughts on the quarent's mind, probably of a contrasting nature. Quite a few of the sword cards depict burdensome scenarios and this is because our thoughts often get us into trouble. The number two usually represents balance as well as a duality and the two here brings equilibrium to the suit although a sense of tension remains. 

It is not surprising then that the astrological correspondence given to this card by the Golden Dawn is the moon in Libra and the little crescent moon in the card is a reminder of that. The moon is a very changeable planet which is stabilized by the effect of Libra. Both of these aspects together regulate and temper the energies of the Swords which are for the most part often negative and troublesome. As a result the feeling of this card is one of compromise, truce, and arranged peace with some tension implied. (There would be tension in our lady's arms and chest as she tries to balance those heavy swords on her shoulders)