Three of Swords

This is a card of pain and sorrow. The three bloody swords indicate that the head has won over the heart, and the result is loss or devastation. It could be the end of a job or relationship, an accidental injury or death, or something else causing deep and difficult grief.

After despair comes a new beginning, but you must face the grief head on in order to push through it.   
 
Questions answered by Three of Swords:
Who? The ex; Someone grieving a terrible loss 
What? A dead body; The end
Where? A grave
When? The beginning of October; Now; Three units of time from now
Why? Failure is the greatest teacher
Yes or No? No
 
Three of Swords
Before any card: Tragedy surrounding (card)
After any card: Loss, sorrow, despair
​
The Three of Swords as:
...an action?

• Make a sacrifice in order to recover
• Acknowledge hurt
• Go through the pain, not around it

 
...a place in your house?

• A keepsake that brings melancholy
• Ashes
• Cobwebs

...a place in your city?

• The cemetery
• The mausoleum
• A war memorial

 
...a place in the world?

• Afghanistan
• Syria
• Auschwitz
• Dubrovnik

...something to eat?

• Nightshade plants
• Soda
• Greek yogurt

...something to clean?

• Tidy up clutter that makes you sad
• The memorial items
• The shelf with the ashes

 
...where to find the missing item?

• Where you lost them (Sorry, this card is terrible)
• It's gone forever

 
...a color? Grey, red
 
...a movie theme? Loss, sorrow, unwanted truth

• Steel Magnolias

• The Hate U Give
• Ghost

 
...a new career?

• Heart surgeon
• Counselor
• Butcher
• Poacher
• Farmer

Three of Swords combinations
With World: (3 before World) Total heartbreak eventually leads to fulfillment, or (3 after World) the loss of all you hold dear.
With Queen of Wands: You possess the courage required to face the heartbreak, plan your way through the stages of grief.
With Four of Cups: Failure or loss leads to apathy and disconnectedness.
With Eight of Swords: You are imprisoned in your own heartbreak - get help.
With Knight of Pentacles: Pain leads to a greater sense of responsibility.