Nine of Swords
This is one of the most dramatic and profound cards in the deck, representing the destructive power of imposed delusions and dangerous ideologies. The card warns of mental enslavement through false beliefs and the inability to see reality clearly. It speaks to how theories born from a clouded mind's desire for self-expression can lead to absurd and harmful outcomes. The card emphasizes themes of control, manipulation, and the tragic consequences when toxic ideas take root in society.
Keywords
Symbolism
One of the most dramatic and profound cards in the deck. Against the backdrop of a Catholic church radiating light stands a skeleton dressed in a priest's cassock. On its head is an anthropological device used to identify skull structure features. This instrument was widely used in fascism to determine Aryan race membership. Throughout history, this device became a precursor to racism and genocide. In the skeleton's hands is a book that serves as a visual image - this is the Catholic Bible, which underwent a new translation and amendments in 1604, caused by the fiercest disputes between Catholics and Protestants. The entire composition is crowned by a thorny arch decorated with artificial roses. This is a visual reference to Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf.' This is exactly how the second edition of this book looked, and we see black and red colors - the main colors of all fascist symbolism. In this work, Hitler describes the process of his becoming an anti-Semite and sets forth his political views, including on blood purity. And finally, the third book is the first edition of Charles Darwin's 'Origin of Species,' in which he outlined his theory of population evolution through natural selection. We cannot say for certain which of these books is depicted. But in any of the three cases - this is an attempt to control human beings. In this card we encounter how destructive our ideas can be and what terrible realization they sometimes acquire. In this context, the nine, being the result of the suit of swords, demonstrates to us the absurdity that theories born from a clouded mind's desire to manifest itself can reach. And no matter how we try to pass off thorny weeds as roses, they remain weeds. Control over the brain and implementation of programs that 'We are not the same' runs as a red thread through the history of Mesoamerica.
Card's Message
A person trapped in imposed delusions, doubts, and idiotic ideas. Relationships - a person is mentally zombified, cannot see the real picture, codependency. Career - psychologist, spiritual mentor, but infected with ideas they fervently believe in. Sectarianism, radical faith. Money - the theme of money is not traceable here, but the person does not accept where money will come from. Cannot see the real picture.
Visual Description
A hooded, dark-robed figure stands front and center, its skeletal hands holding a closed book bound with a small red bookmark. The figure's skull sits behind a circular wheel-like structure from which nine sword hilts radiate outward like spokes. A radiant yellow halo or arch glows behind the head, and thorny vines with roses frame the top corners of the scene.
Santa Muerte tarot
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