Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords symbolizes deep psychological anxieties, insomnia, and the heavy mental burdens that disturb peace of mind. Its imagery of ravens dodging swords reflects stressful but often survivable challenges, the emotional impact of fear, and the tendency to carry psychic pain as if it were physical. Upright, the card points to spiraling hysteria, paranoia, and depression; reversed, it can signal a dawning clarity, renewed perspective, or the beginning of recovery. At its simplest it can also be a reminder to rest and address anxiety with clearer thinking and self-care.
Keywords
Card Name
Nine of Swords
Poem:
That which in darkness may appear in disarray finds order and harmony in the fresh light of day.
Meaning:
The Nine of Swords represents the deep psychological anxieties that keep us from peaceful slumber. Three ravens attempt to dodge flying swords behind a surreal nightmare. The first raven reflects the reality of the situation. Though his obstacles are stressful and dangerous, he avoids destruction. The second raven represents the intense emotional impact of our anxieties. Finally, the last raven depicts how we continue to carry these psychic burdens as if they were physical.
Further Meaning:
While upright, the Nine of Swords indicates spiraling towards hysteria; when reversed it may suggest you are beginning to see or respond to the situation more logically. It may also just mean you need a good night's sleep.
Upright keywords:
nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, depression, mental stress, spiraling, paranoia, hysteria
Reversed keywords:
renewed perspective, overreacting, overcoming anxieties, realizing it's darkest before the dawn
Visual Description
An oval-framed scene shows three black ravens against a star-speckled purple sky and a large red moon. Bright white swords pierce and radiate through the birds, their blades glowing like shafts of light. A thin rectangular border surrounds the oval and a small cartouche at the top contains the Roman numeral IX.
Children of Litha tarot
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