Nine of Swords Meaning: Upright and Reversed

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Lou specializes in Tarot, spirituality, wellness, and new-age content. Aside from her focused development in spirituality, Lou enjoys writing freelance articles and ebooks on meditation, wellness, and crystal healing. She loves working on projects that help spread positivity and is passionate about helping others find their own spiritual paths. She believes that starting your spiritual journey can significantly impact your overall health and lead to a more fulfilling life.

Nine of Swords Tarot Card Keywords

Upright Keywords

Anxiety
Stress
Insomnia
Hopelessness
Terror
Fear
Nightmares

Reversed Keywords

Turmoil
Lowest Point
Breaking Point
Finding Help
Letting Go

Symbolism and Imagery of the Nine of Swords Tarot Card

The traditional imagery of the Nine of Swords Tarot Card is pretty striking and emotive. We can see a person sitting upright in bed with their head in their hands. They are clearly in distress and look as if they have just woken up from a pretty awful nightmare. Or, perhaps anxiety and stress are keeping them up at night. Unfortunately, most people on earth have been in this situation. We all are prone to nightmares, anxiety, and pain that affects our sleep.

It is clearly dark outside, with nine swords hanging above the sleeping person’s bed. I always think that they make the person look as if they are in prison, the swords keeping them trapped in their bedroom.

It is interesting that the person’s quilt is brightly colored. I think that it suggests that not all is lost and that there still is some hope. The person still has comfort there, even though they have covered their eyes and cannot see it right now.

The Suit of Swords

It is helpful to look at the Nine of Swords in the context of the rest of the suit. The Suit of Swords represents the mind and the intellect. It reminds us that the mind triggers us to act and provides us with guidance.

The Nine of Swords is definitely a tarot card that reflects the power of the mind and the harm that it can do. Anxiety and stress can be awful things to deal with, and it is horrible when our sleep is affected by them.

But, the Suit of Swords is represented by the element of air. This reminds us that, like air, thoughts have the ability to change and transform. They can be harsh like a storm or calm like a gentle breeze. If you are going through this pain, it is important to remember that things will get better.

The Number Nine in Tarot

According to Numerology, all numbers have specific meanings. When wanting to really understand the Tarot and its deep meanings, it is helpful to look at the numbers and what their different numbers mean.

Nine often refers to wisdom, nearing completion, and attainment. It reflects our inner strength and overcoming pain and problems. There is a sense of endings to the number nine, and considering this in regards to the Nine of Swords, this suggests hope. Pain will end, and we have the power to overcome our anxieties.

Upright Nine of Swords Meaning

When the Nine of Swords pops up in a Tarot reading, it suggests that there are anxieties that are keeping you up at night. It reflects a period of time full of sleepless nights and serious stress. You are burdened with fears, and you are constantly worried about the problems in your life.

Your anxiety is becoming a negative cycle, and instead of facing up to your problems, you are turning inward and towards self-destruction and pain. Negative thoughts are piling up, and you are wallowing in these instead of trying to turn them around.

Of course, it can be hard to address negative thoughts. Sometimes they can be really overwhelming, and all we can do is succumb to the pain and stress. But, the Nine of Swords wants you to know that you have the power to change things around and use your intellect to solve your problems. There is always beauty and love in the world; sometimes, we just have to seek it out.

Upright Nine of Swords Love Meaning

When appearing in a love Tarot reading, the Nine of Swords suggests that suspicion and paranoia are seriously affecting your love life. If you are in a relationship, there appears to be an element of distrust. Do you not feel secure in your relationship? Do you worry that they don’t love you as much as you love them? Perhaps you are worried about them cheating on you with someone else.

Because of your suspicion and anxiety, you are pushing your partner away. Instead of opening up with them and being honest, you are turning inward and bottling up your emotions. The universe is reminding you that you must be honest with your loved ones and tell them your worries! With the Nine of Swords, worry and anxiety are often amplified, and this suggests that actually, there is nothing to worry about. There really is no reason for this distrust, and you are really just projecting your fears onto your partner.

If you are single, the Nine of Swords suggests that anxieties and pain from past relationships are stopping you from moving forward and finding true love. Perhaps you have been badly hurt and therefore cannot seem to trust new partners. If this is a big issue for you, I strongly recommend seeking therapy. Working with a therapist through these issues can give you the closure you need in order to move on and find new love.

Upright Nine of Swords Career and Money Meaning

When the Nine of Swords appears upright in a career reading, the universe is telling you that the stress your work brings you is not worth it! You are unhappy in your workplace at the moment and are taking your work stress home with you. The conflict between colleagues and a high workload means that you are up at night worried about it all.

No job is worth harming your mental health, and it might be time to take a holiday or switch careers. Take a step back from your work and figure out exactly what you want and what is causing your stress!

In regards to finances, the Nine of Swords suggests that you are extremely worried about your money right now. You are under a lot of pressure, and this is really affecting your mental health. It might be time to reach out for help or an outside perspective to get you through this.

Upright Nine of Swords Home and Family Meaning

Is there a conflict between family members that are really affecting your mental health? Perhaps you are worried about your loved ones and what is going on in their life right now, and the anxiety is keeping you up at night. You may be nervous about someone and believe that they are not telling you the truth.

You are keeping all this emotion bottled up, and the people that love you have no idea! You seem to be amplifying any issue within the family home, and because you are not talking about it with others, your mental health is suffering.

The universe is reminding you that you must be open and honest with your loved ones. Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved! If you talk through your worries with your friends and family, you will soon realize that the problems aren’t as big as you think they are.

However, if there is a serious issue within your family unit, it is okay to seek help from outside sources! Counseling and therapy either as a family unit or one-on-one will allow you and your loved ones to get through the problems you are facing.

Upright Nine of Swords Health Meaning

When appearing upright in a health Tarot reading, the Nine of Swords suggests anxiety disorders and insomnia. You are not coping well, and the universe is telling you that you must reach out for help.

It will be hard; there is no denying it, but facing your mental health issues is the first step of recovery. It is time to stop bottling things up and accept help.

Reversed Nine of Swords Meaning

When reversed, the Nine of Swords meaning is amplified. You are in crisis right now and have hit rock bottom. Anxieties and stress have taken over your life, and you sometimes feel as if there is no way out. Fear and upset govern your life, and you are trapped in a cycle of pain and suffering.

This suffering is real, and do not make any excuses for your pain. Everybody’s pain is valid. You are probably at the lowest point that you have ever been, and this is super hard for you.

However, the reversed Nine of Swords is telling you that the only way is up. You have hit rock bottom, and your pain and suffering are magnified, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. You may be feeling as if you are trapped right now, but soon you will see a way out. There is hope and resolve that comes with the reversed Nine of Swords, and it suggests that you are able to work through this difficult time.

Reversed Nine of Swords Love Meaning

When the Nine of Swords appears reversed in a love reading, it suggests that you are going through a lot of heartaches right now. Perhaps a breakup or infidelity has emotionally destroyed you, and you don’t believe that you will ever love again. If you are single, the reversed Nine of Swords suggest that trauma and pain from previous relationships are still very much affecting your wellbeing.

But remember, the Nine of Swords brings hope and light. You are in a lot of pain right now, but things will start to slowly get better. You will learn how to heal your heart, and one day you will be able to love again. If you have suffered from trauma from past relationships and find it hard to deal with, seek out help from therapists or support groups. This will be hard at first but will soon fill you with hope. You are strong and powerful and can get through anything!

Reversed Nine of Swords Career and Money Meaning

Tarot

You are at a breaking point with your work right now, and you are suffering from a serious amount of stress. It is time to make a decision in regards to your work as you need to figure out what you need to do in order to be happy.

Soon you will get to the place where you need to be and will find a way out of this pain. It is important to put yourself and your mental wellbeing first, as no job is worth anxiety and pain.

In regards to your finances, the reversed Nine of Swords suggests that you are about to come out of a period of intense money worries. Things will soon get better, and you will begin to feel more confident with your money.

Reversed Nine of Swords Home and Family Meaning

There are issues within your family unit that are causing serious stress and despair for everyone involved. Perhaps someone is not well, or a loved one is behaving in a harmful and destructive way. Everyone is in a lot of pain right now, but the reversed Nine of Swords suggests that this pain will soon ease.

With the reversed Nine of Swords, new hope is on the horizon. You and your family may wish to reach out for help in order to overcome these dark times. Soon, things will start to look up, and your loved ones will be provided with the tools and time to heal.

Reversed Nine of Swords Health Meaning

Reading

When appearing revered in a health Tarot reading, the Nine of Swords suggests that you will soon be able to overcome any anxiety, stress, and depression in your life. You may be mentally feeling as if you are at rock bottom and mental health issues are at their worst.

The only way is up from here, and with support from professionals and your loved ones, you will soon be feeling much better again!

The Nine of Swords Tarot Card: FAQs

Let’s look at some FAQs you might have about the Nine of Swords Tarot card.

Question: What Does The Nine of Swords Mean in a Tarot Reading?

Answer: The Nine of Swords signifies despair and anxiety. It suggests that you are going through a really difficult time right now, with stress keeping you up at night.

Question: Is the Nine of Swords a Yes or No Card?

Answer: Because of its energy of despair and negativity, the Nine of Swords is a no card.

Question: What Does the Nine of Swords Mean in a Past Position?

Answer: When appearing in a past position, the Nine of Swords suggests that there is pain in your past that you need to face. Trauma from your past is still affecting your happiness today, and you need to seek help in order to overcome this.

Question: What Does the Nine of Swords Mean in a Future Position?

Answer: When appearing in a future position, the Nine of Swords suggests that your actions now may cause distress and anxiety in the future. Are you on your true path in life? Are you kind to your loved ones?

Overcome Anxiety and Pain With the Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords is often seen as an unwelcome Tarot card to receive in a reading. It represents sleepless nights full of anxiety and pain.

However, I think that this card is poignant and very important. In order to overcome our mental anguish, we must face it. The Nine of Swords reminds us that we need to acknowledge our emotions and feelings, no matter how painful they are.

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