Nine of Swords

To gain a more complete understanding of the Nine of Swords, an overview of the suit and number is provided first.

Overview of the Swords

Aliases: In English, this is the most common.

Element: Air

Zodiac: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra

Playing Card Suit: Spades

Class: Nobility/Militia

Rules: The Mind or Will

The Swords control the mind or will. When Miss L refer to these qualities, it means that the meaning of each Tarot card in this suit can focus on intellectual questions or issues related to power.

If you want to see all of the Tarot cards in the Swords suit, go to  The Swords.

The Swords is the Tarot suit that most people are uncomfortable with. Often connected to negative meanings, the Swords have been given a bad rap.

It's true when you're first learning the meaning of each Tarot card this suit, it seems more than an average number of Tarot cards are dark and brooding.

Just like a physical sword, the Swords have two edges. 

On the one hand, their energy can be destructive and hard to swallow - especially when it's your life that's being affected.

On the other side, they clear out the junk! 

Usually, they affect the clutter in your mental attics - the stuff you're not ready to get rid of but don't want to deal with either. 

When the Swords appear, they are using their strengths of courage, ideas and power to tell you it is time.

Deal with it and move on!

If you're just learning to read Tarot cards, remember that the position in the Tarot layout as well as the nearby Tarot cards

 should to guide you (in addition to the meanings for the Tarot cards). Work from the heart, listen to your gut and develop your intuition.

Don't fear the Swords. Like any medicine, working up the courage to open your mouth and swallow takes longer than it does for the bad taste to fade after.

Synopsis of the Nines

When the Nine appears, it is not the time to focus on what you've already achieved. There is still some more work to be completed to attract what you need.

The Nine indicates that you are nearing the end of a cycle but that you still need to reach beyond yourself to grab success. Constant reassessment and drive are an essential part of Nine; it will grant happiness and prosperity to those who work hard.

Nine is often associated with spirituality and indicates that what you achieve now will satisfy you on a deeper level.

Upright Tarot Card Meaning:

In the Nine of Swords, it becomes apparent that the darkest hour is before dawn.

Worries and anxiety are overtaking your life, interrupting sleep and turning your fears into oppressive monsters.

It's not as if what you worry about is all in your head.

The Nine of Swords is a symbol that you have real problems in your life and you need to face them directly.  

The first step of change will start when you acknowledge you need a change.

You also need allow others to help you regain some perspective. There are solutions but they will take time and effort to create change in your life.                                    

Reversed Tarot Card Meaning:

Brightness appears on the horizon when the Nine of Swords is reversed.Dawn is starting to break and the worst is over.

You have seen your problems head on, faced your fears and are ready to make way for new things.

Worry and stress will take time to fade and you'll still need to be gentle with yourself.

When you allow your remaining fears and doubts to fade, harmony will slowly start to reappear.

Tarot Card Keywords:

oppression, anxiety, stress, worries, no way out, sleepless nights, trapped by fears, despair, problems faced directly, workable solutions, light, hope, new day, abandoning old attitudes, dark night of the soul, releasing mental fears.

Leave the Nine of Swords and return to the Discover Tarot Cards homepage

          


       

September 2025 Contest!

Discover Tarot Cards will be giving away a tarot card bag.

Pick your fav design and store your cards in style!  The contest ends on September 30th, 2025

Bonus: Get Unlimited Tarot Readings for one month from TarotEmpress.com!

Sign up below for your chance to win!

Enter Your E-mail Address
Enter Your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you It's In The Cards: A Reading Tarot E-Zine.