Swords are associated with reason, thought, logic, will, courage, verbal skill, matters pertaining to the mind and survival in the world and the element of air.  Twos symbolize formation, polarity, balance, duality, and the coming together of opposites.  The 2 of Swords is often considered to represent a stalemate or a delicate balancing act. 

Janina Renee "Generally, the 2 of Swords suggests a need to hold off, refrain from making decisions, commitments, involvements, or taking other actions until you can assess others' positions or deal with conflicting factors that may arise to stall your plans and efforts. . . The 2 of Swords also offers advice on coming to terms with the dualities, opposition, and contradiction inherent in the human condition."  "In the reversed position, this card indicates that you have been over-compromised - perhaps you have been giving too much away in your desire to preserve peace and harmony - and now you are advised to break away and assert more of your own rights.  You also should withdraw from relationships where there's not enough mutual interest and understanding to arrive at an agreement."

Fairfield:  "You are identifying or affirming a new belief, attitude or opinion.  You are claiming it as "true" for you.  You are identifying, claiming and choosing affirmations for your life."

Rachel Pollack:  Antagonism, a truce or apology that denies the anger that still remains.  Setting yourself above your emotions.  Two people who are bound together despite their insistence that they have moved on.

The two things that struck me when I looked at these cards is the sense of not being able to see the whole picture; working with an incomplete awareness of the situation.  This seems especially appropriate in light of some family relationship issues lately. 

My sister and her husband are separated and may be getting divorced but they are still very much like the birds on the Shining Tribe card - still connected and unable to completely move away from each other.  This may never change because they have 4 children together but I also think it's impacted by the fact that they have unresolved issues with each other.  Until they work through some of those issues I don't think either one of them can truly move forward.  They cannot understand each other's perspective or concerns but they can't completely sever the relationship either.  It's quite a frustrating experience for me to deal with from a distance, I can't imagine how painful and uncomfortable it is to actually be caught in the middle of this type of situation. 

I see it with my hubby's relationship with his nephew's too.  I think they're all dissatisfied with how this relationship has deteriorated by they do not communicate with each other.  They don't ask for help or admit that they wish things were different.  I may see it and their wives may see it but the men are a tad dense.  Each is only able to see the problems and challenges facing them right now and aren't able to reach out and see that they all have similar situations and if they helped each other out things might go a lot smoother and be less difficult for them all.  Then again I guess thick skulls run in the family.

Overall I think this card is reminding me that my perspective and opinions are only a piece of the picture.  If I want to truly understand any situation I need to open my eyes and consider all the facets of the situation.  It's like trying to drive with one eye - you might be able to do it but it makes things much hard and skews your ability to see all obstacles that might lie in wait.