Card 58 • swords

Nine of Swords

Brief Description

The Nine of Swords represents dark moments of anxiety, guilt, and mental anguish that often strike at night when we cannot sleep. It symbolizes the cage of dark thoughts that multiply in our minds during the darkness, while reminding us that pain feels sharper at night and some decisions should be postponed until morning brings clarity. In reverse, it can indicate either deeper despair and self-pity, or the first glimmer of hope after a long period of suffering.

nine of swordstarottarot card meaningtarot interpretationtarot readingcard symbolismdivinationsuit of swords

Keywords

ANXIETY · GUILT · DEPRESSION · MENTAL ANGUISH

Upright Meaning

An enraged panther has climbed a tree, escaping from a crowd with piercing stares. The Nine of Swords embodies those dark moments that come at night when sadness or anxiety overwhelms us, preventing sleep. The crowd with blades symbolizes these dark thoughts and the cage they create within the mind. During the day, these reflections can often—and even necessarily—be pushed aside, but at night they multiply and endlessly circle in our heads. This card reminds us that pain feels sharper in darkness, but some decisions should be postponed, as morning brings clarity.

Reversed Meaning

The reversed Nine of Swords in a reading speaks to a dual interpretation. On one hand, this Arcana can represent a person who has been left without support or foundation, has fallen into despair, and experiences self-pity. On the other hand, the card can signify a glimmer of hope and the end of a very long and torturous period of troubles. Recovery will require effort, care, willpower, and time.

Get Personalized AI Reading

Want a deeper, personalized interpretation of this card? Our AI tarot reader Elvi can give you a unique reading based on your question.

Try Free in Telegram

Ostara tarot

✍️ Deck author(s): Molly Applejohn, Eden Cooke, Krista Gibbard, Julia Iredale

💜 Please support creators. Buy official decks.

ℹ️ Disclaimer

All card images and descriptions are taken from public sources. They are used for review purposes only. All rights to these images and descriptions belong to their creators. If you believe there is a copyright infringement, please contact us at [email protected].