The Two of Swords — Indecision & Stalemate Playlist
The Two of Swords is the uneasy pause when you’re suspended between choices, eyes closed to clarity and waiting for a sign. It’s that moment where both options feel heavy, and silence stretches on.
This card doesn’t push for quick answers. Instead, it invites you to sit in the discomfort of indecision, to recognize that peace sometimes comes from patience. It’s a reminder that not choosing is also a choice.
And that’s where music comes in. A playlist like this acts as a spell. It mirrors the push and pull, holding space for hesitation while guiding you toward resolution.
But first, let’s talk about what this card means.
The Two of Swords in Tarot
In the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, the Two of Swords shows a blindfolded woman seated with two swords crossed over her chest, the moon rising above still waters. It’s the tension of indecision.
At its core, this card represents:
✨ Stalemate and Indecision — being pulled in two directions without resolution.
✨ Inner Conflict — the difficulty of seeing clearly through doubt or fear.
✨ The Pause Before Choice — the quiet moment when clarity hasn’t yet arrived.
When this card comes up in a reading, it often invites you to sit with the tension — to trust that clarity will come if you don’t rush.
Music as Magic
To me, music is one of the simplest kinds of spellwork. A playlist can set the tone for an afternoon of creativity, a ritual, or even just a mood shift. The songs we choose become the energy we’re weaving around ourselves.
The Two of Swords playlist is one I imagine playing while:
Journaling about choices that feel impossible to make.
Sitting quietly in meditation to embrace stillness.
Laying out tarot cards to see the paths before me.
Taking a walk to untangle thoughts without pressure.
It’s music for holding space in the standstill of uncertainty.
The Playlist
Here’s the soundtrack I curated to capture the essence of the Two of Swords:
Undecided – Ella Fitzgerald
We open with Ella’s playful swing, a lighthearted take on hesitation. “Undecided” sets the stage for the card’s indecisive energy. Starting here keeps the mood approachable, showing that indecision isn’t always heavy; sometimes it begins with simple, human uncertainty.Hot N Cold – Katy Perry
Katy’s anthem of flip-flopping feelings mirrors the push and pull of the Two of Swords. Hot one moment, cold the next, it’s the sound of contradictions colliding. Placed early, it adds humor and chaos, nudging us into the messy reality of indecision.The Sound of Settling – Death Cab for Cutie
Ben Gibbard’s quick-paced refrain of “ah ah ah” speaks to the anxious rush of settling for something just to end the discomfort. This track shifts the playlist from playful indecision to something sharper, where the weight of choices begins pressing in.The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
“The Middle” offers reassurance in uncertainty, reminding us that being between options doesn’t mean we’re lost. Its upbeat tone keeps the playlist from sinking too quickly into heaviness, reflecting how the Two of Swords can carry both pressure and the possibility of patience.Maybe – Ingrid Michaelson
“Maybe” captures that space of tender wavering, the yearning for clarity that never quite comes. Its soft but insistent refrain deepens the emotional arc, pulling us further into the heart of a stalemate. At this point, hesitation is no longer playful—it’s personal.Between Two Lungs – Florence + The Machine
Florence’s soaring vocals embody the push and pull of duality: suspended between life and breath, choice and consequence. Positioned here, it magnifies the card’s imagery of balance and tension, as though standing blindfolded with a sword in each hand, unable to move forward.Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
Few songs capture indecision as directly as this punk classic. Its urgent energy escalates the playlist, marking the peak of tension. By this point, the stakes of choice are unavoidable, and the Two of Swords’ stalemate begins to feel exhausting rather than neutral.The Crossroads – Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
The metaphor becomes literal here. You’re standing at a crossroads, haunted by consequence. The layered voices bring weight and gravity, grounding the playlist in the fear that every path closes another. It transitions us from external conflict into something more existential and haunting.Neither Here Nor There – Lost in the Trees
This drifting track embodies liminality: floating between two places, unable to commit to either. Its melancholic tone echoes the paralysis of the Two of Swords, where even time seems to hang still. Placed here, it softens the tension, preparing the ear for the final breath between choices.On Hold – The xx
We close in quiet suspension. “On Hold” captures the ache of waiting, of unresolved choices left lingering. Ending here doesn’t offer resolution, but acceptance of the pause itself. The playlist stops where the card lives—in stillness, reminding us that sometimes indecision is its own answer.
Journal Prompts for the Two of Swords
If you want to go deeper into the energy of this card, try reflecting with these prompts:
Where in my life am I avoiding making a decision?
What fears or hopes are keeping me suspended between options?
How might I find peace in the quiet limbo instead of rushing to a resolution?
If you want to explore these prompts more deeply, I created a free worksheet to guide you.
Blog Rewards Program
Feeling stuck at a crossroads? ⚖️ The Decision Insight Kit includes a tarot spread and journal prompts to help you navigate choices with peace and clarity. Sign up for the Blog Reward Program to access it.
The Blog Rewards Program turns your witchcraft learning journey into an engaging experience where you earn points and unlock exclusive rewards just for reading insightful, magical content each week.
Bringing the Two of Swords Into Your Life
This playlist helps you sit with the breath between choices.
Meditative Listening: Close your eyes, breathe, and let the songs mirror the suspension.
Decision Ritual: Pull two tarot cards while the playlist plays: one for each option.
Journaling Practice: Write both sides of the argument without judgment.
Affirmation Work: Whisper, “I trust clarity will come in its time.”
By making listening intentional, you transform music into magic.
Final Thoughts
The Two of Swords shows us the tension of sitting between choices. It’s uncomfortable, but sometimes waiting is wisdom. This playlist holds that space of stillness and possibility.
So press play while you breathe into suspension. Let the music carry you through the tension, reminding you that waiting can be wisdom.
✨ Want to go deeper? Journal on “what clarity will come if I give myself more time?” as you listen.
