The Swords card shows a woman somewhere other than the present. She is so unaware of what is going on around her, she has no idea the thorns on the rose stems are making her hand bleed. Many times I have replayed the actions and words of someone who hurt me over and over in my head. I've told and retold my story of anguish to anyone who would listen. And my heart never healed, it only relived the pain. While I don't believe I'm responsible for another person's behavior, I am responsible for my reactions to it. Yes, there does need to be a time for grief, but at some point I need to step out of the past and back into the present.
The Frouds point out that while fairies may be fascinated by humans, they don't have the same kind of emotional connection as can develop between humans. I've been in friendships and had lovers who were looking for fun and excitement, but who could care less about commitment and loyalty. These people either were incapable of long-term relationships or just didn't want to deal with any bumps and potholes that came with such bonds. Both these cards point out (in not so subtle ways) that having false expectations about other people can lead to heartache. And if I want the pain to stop, I'm going to have to be the one to change.
