What does the card 9 of Swords mean in Tarot?

The 9 of Swords seems like a scary card on the drawing, but it forces reflection on what is bad for you: be it secrets, guilt or fears. It points to the need to free yourself and leave the past behind.

It is also the letter that warns of serious health issues, and without it, some serious problems may go unnoticed, being considered just tiredness or fear, rather than getting proper care.

Read the 9 of Swords as a warning for care in all aspects of your life, especially about mental issues on the physical body, as will be explained during the article.

Fundamentals of the 9 of Swords

At this first moment, it is time to understand the symbols of the card 9 of Swords, which will build the meanings described below: the history of the card within the Tarot, iconography, the suit and the corresponding element, air.

Swords is a card that speaks about mental aspects of the consulter and the situation. Within the cycle of the suit of Swords, this is the ninth step.

History

A lot has happened up to this point, your plans and creations have been developing, various issues have changed in your life and there has been no shortage of surprises. A moment ago, in chart 8, your plans needed a facelift. Now you want to see all that work pay off and at this point you reap what you have sown.

The 9 is very close to closing the cycle of the suit, so it brings a lot of expectations in itself. One more step and the 10 card arrives, when you will rejoice and prepare yourself towards a new cycle.

Iconography

The 9 of Swords artwork features a person awakening from a nightmare. She appears to be crying or under a lot of emotional and mental pain. In the background, nine hanging swords representing painful thoughts.

Note also the bed on which the person lies. There is a carving of a duel and one of the duelists has just been defeated. The deck is decorated with drawings of roses and astrological symbols. The choice of colors creates a contrast between the black of the background, the color of the swords and the person in bed, giving an atmosphere of anguish, compared to the cheerful colors of other cards.

The person represented on the 9 of Swords may be the same as the person on card 8. She is free, finally, but haunted by the past. The Sweet Twilight deck adds a moon to the swords, drawn in abstract form. reinforcing the sense that these painful truths that the swords bring may be an illusion.

The suit of Swords

The suit of Swords is about the mental, the will to possess, the plans made, the ideas, everything very rational, based on the order and logic that each one is oriented.

For this reason, Swords is not presented as a suit about goal building or sentimental relationships, but about successes, miscommunication, and how everyone deals with their fears and desires.

It is a suit that does not involve feelings, but ambition, courage, and conflict, either internal or with others. Even this can involve important decisions that are being postponed and a pain caused by this impasse.

Air element

Like the air element, the suit of Swords is about communication, logic, reason and intellect, about analyzing one's surroundings and one's identity in a healthy way, or not. This excessive rationality leads to less compassion, forgiveness and many confrontations.

9 of Swords Meaning

The 9 of Swords is a point of the suit that shows that unresolved issues come back once again to haunt the thoughts. We will unravel all the possibilities of this card below, talking about anguish, worry, guilt, fragility, failures, and nightmares.

Anguish and worry

Negative thoughts have gotten the better of you and you've been spending a lot of time worrying and worrying. Even though your fears are well-founded, the way you've been dealing with these situations is what will turn your fears into reality, even through self-sabotage.

Until these issues are resolved and there is an end to it, it is possible that the problem will return, even if only in your mind. This pain and anguish will not end without dialogue or even a request for help. There is always a chance to change, to start over and prevent the worst from happening. Do not give up before trying to fix the situation and believe in the best outcome.

Guilt and suffering

Unresolved situations are haunting you and you have chosen to continue with the guilt and suffering rather than deal with the effects of the truth, but is it worth it?

It is possible that you are so immersed in guilt and negative thoughts that you cannot visualize the possibility of forgiveness. You need to focus on your development and change your attitude, forgive yourself first. In this way, you can ask others for forgiveness and deal with the consequences.

Trouble sleeping and nightmares

It's the negative thoughts, anxiety and guilt that keep you from resting. Tension makes it hard for your body to relax and doesn't let you enjoy your sleep. Here, the mental aspect is starting to affect the physical.

The main meaning of the letter, the one directly drawn from the iconography, is this: there are thoughts that hurt you and keep you up at night.

Failures and disappointments

Sometimes what takes away sleep and haunts you are the unexpected attitudes of others. The discovery of some kind of betrayal can lead to a sense of failure. Several doubts are raised and there is the desire to have done everything differently.

The 9 of Swords points out that despite everything that has happened, the worst is over. Now you need to deal with that pain and stop it from doing you any more harm.

Fragility

You've been feeling lost, afraid, and isolating yourself to try to get your head on straight. The fragility here can be mental or even physical, since anxiety attacks trigger reactions in the body. Insomnia is an example of this.

There is the possibility of unresolved traumas undermining your mental health. In this case, the 9 of Swords indicates the need for appropriate professional guidance.

9 of Swords in love

In love, negative thoughts are also taking over. They are likely to cause serious damage unless worked through with trust and dialogue. Get a better understanding of what the 9 of Swords says for committed and for single people below.

For committed people

For committed people, there are two main possibilities for the 9 of Swords to appear on a draught: guilt and lack of trust. It is possible that you have made a mistake which perhaps your partner has not discovered, but the guilt is great for having broken this vow of honesty and trust between you. At the same time, you do not believe in forgiveness.

In this case, you need to forgive yourself, be honest and engage yourself to improve. Forgiveness is possible, but it needs to be earned. The other situation indicated by the 9 of Swords is jealousy. Insecurity, negative thoughts, lack of self-love is clouding your judgement and setting you against your partner.

For both cases, focus on re-establishing the bond of trust, on making room for dialogue that is obstructed by guilt or jealousy.

For singles

To singles, this card in the drawing indicates some interest of sexual or amorous companions in you. Or else, one of you has a desire for control over the other.

Another reading talks about the traumas of past relationships that leave you feeling insecure, possessive, and full of self-doubt. Meaning, in this case, you might be the controlling person who needs time to deal with these traumas if you're thinking about leaving singlehood.

At this time, invest only in yourself, in your mental health, in the people who love you and in your own well-being. A relationship begun in a period of such insecurity tends to be more troubled and can end up compromising your state of mind even more with the issue of possessiveness, control and insecurity.

9 of Swords at work

At work, the 9 of Swords calls for a moment of reflection, much conversation and support. Be prepared to make complicated choices and put yourself in first place, both in the case of employed people, and for those who are looking to relocate in the market, as we will explain below.

For employees

This card indicates a lot of exhaustion, anxiety, sleepless nights and stress. It is dangerous to continue at the same pace. If possible, avoid Burnout Syndrome by taking it easy and seek help, either professional or from friends and/or family to deal with these problems.

If your stressors are unmanageable by yourself or if stress is part of your job, it's worth considering a new position that respects your health. Check out the possibility of a new job and look for family and friends to support you in this transition.

For unemployed persons

For those who are unemployed, know that you have the ability to engage in an activity, just need the opportunity. Even if it is complicated, re-evaluate your options calmly, seek help, support from close people and do not give up.

With this card in the drawing, there are great chances that you will not be called for that desired position. The 9 of Swords, here, can represent a cut in communication. In this difficult situation of unemployment, it is important not to let negative thoughts get the better of you. Believing that it is possible to win a position and be successful is the best option.

Combinations with the 9 of Swords

The combinations of the 9 of Swords, along with the card's place in the drawing, can indicate situations in which dialogue and help are needed. Paying attention to the suit and the meaning of the major arcana will give good direction. Check out more below.

Positive combinations

The 9 of Swords, in general, potentiates negative issues of the other card of the combination and readings with cautionary advice are the most common, but there are still positive combinations. One of them is made between 9 of Swords and The Star, because it points to a healing process for the end of a period of nightmares.

Negative combinations

The combination of Moon and 9 of Swords potentiates the issue of isolation, loneliness, and being in the midst of illusions. And many nightmares. The emotions here are confused and cloudy, besides everything.

The Devil with the 9 of Swords also potentiates the card negatively. The combination points to a path of self-destruction and self-sabotage, because, as if the fears that the 9 of Swords brings were not enough, the way to deal with these issues involves looking for escapes and numbness, without solving the problem.

If it is Lovers next to the 9 of Swords, the question that haunts you is a very painful choice, which can probably be defined between following your heart or your rational side. There is a great conflict in going in search of what you want.

If the drawing presents the 9 of Cups together with the 9 of Swords, it is possible that the subject is chemical dependency and abstinence. It would be interesting, in this case, to seek specialized help for treatment.

A little more about the card 9 of Swords

Despite being perceived as a negative card, the 9 of Swords speaks volumes about overcoming. Focus on the message of hope that the 9 of Swords brings and strive for your recovery, especially when it comes to your health. Learn more about this card below, the challenges it alerts you to, and tips for dealing with them.

In health

The 9 of Swords indicates the need to take care of your mental health, especially, so try to look for a psychologist or psychiatrist who can help you have a more peaceful night's sleep, who will help you organize a healthy routine, as much as possible, during this delicate time.

It is also possible that this card points to issues with addiction, especially if combined with the 3 or 9 of Cups. If there is a chance of drug addiction, seek help.

Inverted card

This card, even inverted, keeps much of the original meanings. It still points to a state of pain and suffering, with great chances of mental illness, secrets and negative thoughts. Another meaning kept from the normal card is that the problems to be faced are much smaller than the projection of them in our mind.

There is also a chance that this reversed card means that there was a very painful and difficult time in the past, but it has been overcome. This signals an awareness that the problem caused much more pain than it should have, yet it is over.

Challenges

The biggest challenge that the 9 of Swords brings is about communication. There is a lot of difficulty to talk and fear to ask for help.

In the moment you are in, opening this pathway for communication is very important for finding solutions. Break down your estrangement with other people and, in case of mental illness or chemical dependency, seek help.

Tips

The main guidance that the 9 of Swords brings is: ask for help and be open to dialogue. Many of the issues that seem terrible today can be solved with dialogue. Exorcising, thus, all the ghosts of the closet once and for all.

It is possible to get out of the current state. Remember that your fears are bigger than the problems to be faced.

Can the 9 of Swords card signal a good time to practice acceptance?

One thing is certain, except for death: You can always change your own destiny. Many things that have happened have hurt you, made you lose sleep, and left a bitter taste in your mouth. Regardless of whether they were your actions or those of others, the only possibility is to move on and deal with these problems in the best way you can at the moment.

What haunts you can be resolved with forgiveness and dialogue, and while it may seem impossible, these impressions may not be real. Moreover, the solution, the peace of mind, will only come when the chance for forgiveness and dialogue is offered. Accept that it is not possible to change the past, but do not give up on what you love, nor on your well-being.