Nine of Swords -
Tarot Card Meaning
Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.
Written by Made Musings
NINE OF SWORDS
At a glance:
This Nine of Swords represents deep anxiety, worry, and mental anguish.
Upright Keywords:
Anxiety, fear, worry
Reversed Keywords:
unresolved issues, lingering guilt
Numerology:
9 - compassion, universal love, spiritual enlightenment, near-completion
Nine of Swords: Upright Meaning
The Nine of Swords depicts a woman sitting alone on her bed with her hands covering her face, appearing as though she has just awoken from a nightmare. This card represents deep anxiety, worry, and mental anguish, suggesting that a particular issue is consuming your thoughts and disrupting your peace of mind. It serves as a call to address these overwhelming emotions and seek out ways to manage your mental health effectively.
Numerology and Suit Meaning:
In numerology, the number 9 signifies compassion, universal love, and spiritual enlightenment. This number is also linked to humanitarianism and nearing the completion of a cycle. This can be a sign to seek deeper understanding into your life's purpose and direction.
The suit of swords is connected to concepts of communication, intelligence, ideas, belief, and logic. Many cards of the suit also deal with conflict, both internal and external.
Elementally, swords are associated with air. Like thoughts and spoken words, air cannot be seen. Nevertheless, it can still be felt such as when a calming breeze blows or a roaring gale strikes. Wind can also cut through the skin similar to how our words can pierce deeper than any weapon.
Love/Relationships
The Nine of Swords love meaning represents amplified anxieties and fears in a love/relationship reading. Often, this card signifies that these fears are more overwhelming in your mind than in reality. You may be grappling with guilt, remorse, insecurity, or trust issues with your partner. What are some positive, constructive ways to cope, but also address these concerns with your partner? It's also essential to assess whether your feelings are rational or exaggerated. If you're single, unresolved emotions from past relationships need to be addressed before entering a new one.
The Nine of Swords also highlights that stress might originate from interactions with a family member or friend. This card urges you to set clear boundaries to safeguard your emotional health and identify specific triggers causing distress. Having open and honest communication about your feelings and concerns is vital.
Money/Career
The Nine of Swords highlights the impact of work-related stress and financial worries on your mental health. Don't let these concerns dominate your thoughts. Reach out to someone you trust, like a mentor, colleague, or financial advisor, for a clearer perspective and effective strategies. Identifying your stressors is also crucial. If a boss or toxic work environment is causing your stress, consider seeking new job opportunities or consulting a financial expert. If your stress is due to personal anxiety or mental health issues, focus on developing a strategy to deal with difficult emotions while building a more positive mindset. Taking these steps can help alleviate pressure and improve problem-solving and decision-making in the workplace.
Spiritual/Self
The Nine of Swords highlights the need to confront and manage your anxieties. This card suggests that you may be trapped in a cycle of negative thinking and fear, which can be paralyzing. These feelings can sometimes manifest as paranoia. Engage in self-care practices that promote mental and emotional balance, such as meditation, mindfulness, or therapy. It's important to acknowledge your fears and worries but also to challenge them and seek out positive, constructive ways to cope. By addressing these issues head-on, you can begin to restore a sense of peace and equilibrium in your life.
Astrology
The Suit of Swords in Tarot is intimately linked to the element of Air, representing intellect, communication, and mental clarity. This connection resonates strongly with the zodiac air signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, highlighting their analytical minds, communicative skills, and intellectual pursuits. The air signs are notorious for their curiosity, adaptability, mental agility, and mastery in diplomacy. These characteristics align with the Swords' themes of objectivity, fairness, and progressive thinking. The Swords' and the Air signs are the visionaries of the Zodiac. Together, they remind us of the power of clear thinking, effective communication, and mental agility in navigating life's challenges and achieving harmony.
Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.
Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Nine of Swords indicates that you are on the verge of overcoming an anxious period and restoring balance to your life. However, some unresolved issues may still be lingering, preventing you from fully moving forward. Fear and guilt might still have a grip on you, but this card encourages you to let go and trust that things will improve. Focus on resolving any remaining concerns so that you may progress towards a state of calm and optimism.
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Our compact 188-page guidebook, aptly named the Little Black Book, offers the meanings behind each Tarot allowing both beginners and experts to interpret effectively.
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Note: Illustrations are from the classic 1909 - 1910 deck that was hand-illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
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CARD SUMMARY
If a particular issue is consuming your thoughts, address these overwhelming emotions ASAP.
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