Mirror Cards | 10 of Wands : 3 of Swords
The Tarot’s Minor Arcana often impart their deepest wisdom when considered in conversation. For example, we learn more about the Five of Pentacles when we examine it in relation to the Fives across the other three suits (Cups, Wands, and Swords). Similarly, we can think about how cards interact as part of a sequence (5s, 6s, and 7s, for instance). But what about cards that have no obvious relationship in the deck? If we look closely, some of the Minor cards bear resemblances that echo one another. I call these mirror cards, because they present a new perspective on a similar theme.
Let’s look at the 10 of Wands and the 3 of Swords. With their subjects caught in a moment of suffering, can one offer remediation to the other?
With the 10 of Wands we see the pinnacle of fire’s quest, and with the 3 of Swords, the very beginning of air’s journey. Yet, both cards speak of passion as a source pain. Despite the anguish, there is an elegant symmetry, a feeling of poise, that facilitates the bearing of the struggle. A strenuous balance has been achieved, one which now needs to be released.
When viewed side by side, one notices the inverted triangle shape that dominates and choreographs the movement in each image. Energy flows from upward and out, to downward and in, concentrating at a point of convergence. This gathering inward is necessary for the next step in both passages: to relinquish control.
In the 10 of Wands, there is forward movement, but it is labored. It is as though the figure is avoiding what is in front of them - sight, thoughts, and thus the Air realm - and has barricaded themself with something physical and tangible. The wands bring the person down to earth, down to the drudgery of putting one foot in front of the other again and again. The medicine for this figure is found in small doses of the 3 of Swords: to temper the feelings with the mind. This means introducing more creative activities that gently blend mind and body movement in harmony, such as art making and crafting, or even organizing and cleaning.
Advice from the 3 of Swords: Let the pain show you where you are hurting and find incremental ways to face it. Sit with it for 10 minutes a day then tuck it away until the next.
Looking at the 3 of Swords, we see that the overwhelming Air (Mind) element has generated a stasis. There is a melding of mind and heart but one that is disembodied. In this case, a small dose of the grounding found in the 10 of Wands offers a restorative force. This might look like rest, physical exercise, breath work, and other activities that are repetitive and calming to the nervous system.
Advice from the 10 of Wands: Bring your body into the equation. Exhaust it with activity so that it takes some of the pressure off of the mind.
