Tarot Card Symbolism: The Ten of Swords Reversed

If you read upside down cards in a Tarot spread as reversed, then the Ten of Swords in its reversed position indicates that minor disappointments and people who cannot fulfill all that they promises you are heading your way. Rely on yourself if at all possible. Hard times are coming to and end and a time of recovery from illness or strife is promised.

Tarot Card Symbolism: The Ten of Swords of the Minor Arcana

The Ten of Swords of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the tenth card of the Suit of Swords. It follows the Nine of Swords. It is the embodiment of absolute destruction and defeat.

The Symbolism of the Ten of Swords Tarot Card

This card is represented by a person, most likely a young man, lying on the ground, bleeding and defeated, and completely motionless. He lies face down, and ten swords pierce his back. It does not appear likely that he will survive his extensive wounds.

This scene takes place upon a beach, with mountains in the distance. The sky is covered in dark and ominous clouds. However, in the distance, a small amount of clear sky can be seen, bringing just a single ray of hope.

The General Interpretation of the Ten of Swords Card

When appearing in a spread, this card implies a situation where one is pinned down, trapped with no chance of escape, usually by more than one thing or situation, as is represented by the multiple swords. The figure lying on the ground can also represent feeling hopeless, or perhaps being trapped by mental or emotional anguish. It is not always a literal card, but when it is, the Ten of Swords is disastrous indeed.

This card is one of the grimmest cards in the entire Tarot. There is very little in this card to represent hope or redemption. It is considered a negative card when it appears in a spread.

The Inner Meaning of the Ten of Swords in Tarot

The Ten of Swords is the image of despair and the bleakness of the situation, as indicated by the dark clouds above the prone figure. This card is more representative of death and destruction than even the Death card of the Major Arcana. This may or may not be a literal death.

However, this death and destruction may not be permanent. Very faintly, and in the distance, the sky begins to lighten. The single source of light suggests that things are just about as bad as they can possibly get. So, there is some hope, for if things are truly at their worst, then they can only get better. This is the only positive note in the entire card.

The Page of Swords follows this card. The Ten of Swords is the final numbered card in the Suit of Swords.

Tarot Card Symbolism: The Nine of Swords Reversed

For those individuals who choose to read upside down cards in a Tarot reading as reversed, the Nine of Sword in its reversed position indicates that worry, sleeplessness, and general despair will pass. Someone may spread rumors about you, but these too shall pass. Keep you chin up an don't stoop to their level if you can possibly avoid it.

Tarot Card Symbolism" The Nine of Swords of the Minor Arcana

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.