Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords signifies a period of ultimate betrayal, loss, and despair. The card represents a nadir moment, where one feels deeply wounded and defeated. However, even in this bleak state, there are indications of resilience and eventual recovery. When reversed, it symbolizes the beginning of relief and the arduous process of healing from deep wounds.
Keywords
General Sentiment
The Ten of Swords is not my favorite card in the deck. Of course its meaning is rather dreary, but even visually I just find it dark and unappealing and, dare I say it, a little boring in its fatalism. Not that things can’t be that bleak sometimes—life deals a harsh hand to so many people, and it’s naive to pretend that there is a silver lining to all things. The cards can show us our darkest hours in stark relief. But in my design, I made a slight departure from the Smith-Waite standard.
Visual Representation
The warrior is down, but he is not out. He is bleeding, and the red of his cape may hide yet more gore than he is showing—just as we do when we are hurting, grieving or struggling. His face is obscured but not entirely covered, and upon it is the resolute expression of a person who needs time, who is gathering himself, who is downcast—but not yet defeated. He has one foot planted firmly on the ground, and he is managing to keep himself upright beneath a sharp and heavy burden of swords that make up fully half of the rest of the illustration. He may not be the same, and he will carry the scars for the rest of his life, but he will get back up in time.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the swords are lifting. One by one, the blades are being pulled from his back. It’s going to hurt like hell and he might lose a lot of blood in the process yet, but respite and recovery are in sight.
Fyodor Pavlov tarot
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