The Nine of Swords of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the ninth card of the Suit of Swords. It follows the Eight of Swords. It is the embodiment of depression, suffering, and disappointment.
The Symbolism of the Nine of Swords Tarot Card
This card is represented by a figure who is sitting up in bed, with his face buried in his hands. He has obviously just awakened, apparently because of a nightmare or disturbance. Whatever this disturbance was, it has obviously brought about some kind of mental or emotional pain to the figure in the bed.
Nine swords are suspended above the bed, all facing lengthwise. How they remain up there is a mystery.
The General Interpretation of the Nine of Swords Card
When appearing in a spread, this card implies deception and cruelty on some level. Its exact interpretation depends greatly on its position within the spread. It could mean that the individual is suffering from great depression, perhaps as a result of the current situation. It could also mean that the individual who drew the Nine of Swords inflicted cruelty upon someone else.
In other interpretations, this card can also represent violence, loss, or scandal. If this is the case, the reaction of the individual involved to the situation described by this card is almost always one of severe hurt and depression. This is not a positive card.
The Inner Meaning of the Nine of Swords in Tarot
The Nine of Swords is the image of difficulty and fear. The swords hanging above the figure in this card represent this fear, which can be completely paralyzing. The swords can also mean that it is possible for the individual to cut themselves through their own difficulties. So, this card does carry at least the prospect of a positive outcome, if the individual has the courage to just try to solve their own problems. However, it is unlikely that help will be forthcoming. The individual is on their own.
The Nine of Swords is also the card of the martyr. But from the sacrifice of the martyr, from all the suffering that this card brings, new life does eventually spring. So, in some way, this is indeed a card of great hope. This card can also be indicative of nightmares or premonitions. These are rarely positive in nature, but they should be heeded, for they are likely to bring powerful warnings.
The Ten of Swords follows this card.
For those who choose to read any cards appear upside in a Tarot spread as reversed, the Eight of Swords in its reversed position is a card that indicates a light at the end of the tunnel. Restrictions will lift, but depression, diffficulties, and maybe a battle or two will have to be struggled through first. There may be illness, accidents, a prison sentence, or even a death in your circle, but you will eventually emerge from the darkness into the light.
The Eight of Swords of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the eighth card of the Suit of Swords. It follows the Seven of Swords. It is the embodiment of fear and restraint, and a of seemingly impossible situation.
The Symbolism of the Eight of Swords Tarot Card
This card is represented by a woman who is both tied and blindfolded. Unlike the Two of Swords, this woman has very obviously not willingly entered into this situation. She is surrounded by a cage made up of eight swords; this cage appears inescapable. The woman is obviously afraid to move, and perhaps afraid to stay where she is.
She can see no way out of her present situation without experiencing pain. As she is unwilling to do this, she stays exactly where she is, paralyzed by her own fear.
The General Interpretation of the Eight of Swords Card
When appearing in a spread, this card implies a situation where the individual is afraid move, afraid to act. This is because, if they move, they’ll be cut to pieces by the cage of swords. However, staying put is not an option either, for this only prolongs the agony.
This card, the Eight of Swords, is the very representation of a position "between a rock and a hard place." Of all the cards of the Tarot, this is the one that describes an impossible situation, where there is no good or right choice. It may be that the individual must choose between the lesser of two evils.
The Inner Meaning of the Eight of Swords in Tarot
The Eight of Swords is the image of being held prisoner by overwhelming fear. It is important to realize that the ropes that bind and the blindfold are not truly imposed by some outside force. Instead, they represent one’s own fear. It is this fear that keeps the individual still and immobile.
The longer an individual stays in this situation, the worse it becomes, the more restrained the individual is, and the harder it is to break free. This is the card that represents those times when one is in a situation where they are afraid to speak or act, but by not speaking or acting they only constrain themselves further.
This card is a message to the individual who draws it. It suggests that one must have the strength to endure the cuts, or they will remain within the cage forever. They must act or speak, for the longer they let the situation continue, the worse it will become.
The Nine of Swords follows this card.
If you read upside down Tarot cards as reversed, then the Seven of Swords in its reversed position has two distinct meanings. The first is to look out for thieves. This thief is not necessarily a stranger. It could be that someone close to you wants to take something that you value, so keep your eyes open.
Secondly, you'll want to watch your finances and beware of a potential legal problem. Seek legal or financial advice before taking any important steps in these areas. You will greatly benefit from professional advice.
