Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords signals a sudden, devastating end or collapse that leaves you feeling empty and ruined. It urges acceptance of losses you cannot prevent and advises patiently moving from darkness toward a new dawn. You are warned not to cling to what is no longer viable, because only through experiencing final loss can new opportunities appear. In reverse, it can indicate a doomed attempt to save what is gone, prolonged collapse, or sometimes a narrow escape and subsequent revival. Ultimately, the card emphasizes acceptance, letting go, and the possibility of renewal.
Keywords
Upright
A sudden failure, terrible collapse, untimely end. Full implosion of plans without any possibility of avoiding it. Reduced circumstances. A period of parting with something or someone important. Feeling of emptiness, that your world has been destroyed.
Card's Advice
Come to terms with the things you can't avoid. Start patiently moving from the darkness to the dawn. As long as you are alive, you can still change things for the better.
The Warning
Don't try to save something that is no longer viable. Only after living through the final loss can you open the door for new opportunities.
Reverse
A futile attempt to save something that is doomed to fail or disappear. Prolonged and painful collapse. Everything has already been decided but you still lack the will to start dealing with it. Revival after a crisis. Danger came close, but was averted.
Quick Answer
No — you have to accept failure before you can proceed.
Visual Description
A man lies face down on the ground at the water’s edge with ten swords driven into his back. Blood stains the sand and his clothing; a broken wall and scattered stones surround him. A vulture or large bird perches on a nearby piece of ruined architecture, watching. The sky is a sickly yellow beneath heavy gray clouds and a circular cartouche at the top shows the Roman numeral X. At the bottom a ribbon bears the title in Cyrillic.
Old Style tarot
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