Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords warns of decisions dominated by anxiety, leading to terror, obsession, and sleepless nights. The Oedipus myth illustrates how fear-driven choices can create self-fulfilling tragedies when distrust replaces love. Upright, the card points to nightmares, obsessive thinking, and insomnia that cloud judgment. Reversed, it offers recovery, acceptance, and the possibility of letting go and accepting help, bringing renewed hope.
Keywords
Character
Oedipus
Origin
Greece, Greek mythology
Description
The Nine of Swords represents decision-making controlled by anxiety. The Oracle at Delphi warns the king that his son, Oedipus, will one day kill him. Had he not let his fears control him and raised his son in love instead of hate, the king's eventual death could have been avoided.
Upright
Anxiety, terror, nightmares, obsession, insomnia
Reverse
Recovery, acceptance, letting go, accepting help, hope
Visual Description
A young woman in a white dress floats upright with closed eyes and uplifted palms, bathed in a greenish light. Behind her nine swords hang vertically against a dark, striated background and wisps of pale smoke curl through the scene. Below, a seated woman cradles a sleeping child while a bearded man covers his face with his hands, each figure grounded and small compared to the levitating central figure. The composition emphasizes contrast between the ethereal upper figure and the intimate, troubled domestic scene beneath.
Tarot of the Divine
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