On the Two of Swords card, a woman sits, her arms crossed, patiently holding two swords apart. She is blindfolded, but seems calm and in control. She demonstrates that it is not always necessary, wise, or even possible to immediately choose between two ideas. For the moment, the woman holds both in consideration, applying neither. They are not in conflict in her mind, she does not allow them to battle for her acceptance. There is a recognition that one some level, neither idea is superior to the other - their arguments seem equally valid. Perhaps more knowledge and experience is needed to make an informed, unprejudiced decision. For the moment, she is neutral. 

 

Two of Swords also calls to mind the psychological mechanism of compartmentalization, a way of separating conflicting thoughts, values, or emotions. It can be a subconscious defense mechanism or an actively applied coping strategy. The key is to use this mechanism for the right reasons; to compartmentalize difficult thoughts without blocking them out altogether, to accept the ideas and feelings on both sides of the wall you build, and to know when confrontation is indeed the better option.

 

Delaying an intellectual confrontation for too long is the danger of which Two of Swords warns us. To entertain two opposing ideas indefinitely, refusing to make a choice - well, that's hypocrisy!

 

Whether Two of Swords acts as advice or as warning, this situation is not sustainable. It is a truce, and sooner or later, it must end.