Nine of Swords: modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
‘The 9 of Swords’, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
Upright 9 of Swords: RWS Meanings
Keywords
Anxiety, Guilt, Shame, Shock, Nightmares, Despair, Anguish
Generally
Often called the "nightmare card," the Nine of Swords represents deep mental anguish, anxiety, fear, and despair. The figure in the card is awake at night, head in their hands, consumed by worry. The nine swords on the wall represent the recurring, oppressive thoughts that plague them. This card signifies a "dark night of the soul," a moment where fears and anxieties feel overwhelming and inescapable. It is important to note, however, that this is a card of mental, not physical, suffering: the fears are not always based in reality.
In a Love Context
In a love reading, this card points to intense anxiety about a relationship. It can signify sleepless nights spent worrying about a partner, the stability of the connection, or fears of betrayal or loss. It can also represent profound guilt, shame, or remorse over something that has happened within the relationship, leading to self-inflicted mental torment.
In a Money/Career Context
This card signifies extreme stress and anxiety related to work or finances. You may be lying awake at night, consumed with fear of job loss, financial ruin, failure of a project, or being overwhelmed by responsibilities. The pressure feels immense, and your thoughts are spiraling into worst-case scenarios.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, the Nine of Swords can represent a profound crisis of faith or a period of deep existential dread. You may be tormented by feelings of guilt, shame, or a sense that you have been abandoned. It is the mind attacking itself with negative beliefs, leading to a feeling of being utterly alone in the dark.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Find a way to talk about your fears; do not suffer in silence. Acknowledge that your thoughts are causing you pain. Seek help from a friend, therapist, or confidante.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
A period of intense mental anguish, worry, and sleepless nights.
As Obstacles
Your own negative thoughts and fears are your biggest obstacle. Catastrophizing is preventing you from seeing the situation clearly.
As Hidden Energy
Deep-seated fears and anxieties from the subconscious are driving the situation, even if you are not fully aware of their source.
As Resources/Alliances
Great resilience and mental fortitude.
Reversed 9 of Swords: RWS Meanings
Keywords
Release from Fear, Facing Reality, Recovery, Hope, Finding Help
Generally
The 9 of Swords reversed signifies a living nightmare may be in the past or escapable in the future. Nonetheless, if the card comes up it means that the many consternations of this card are relevant in some way to the situation.
In a Love Context
You may be grieivng the death of a close loved one or the breakup of a committed relationship. Perhaps you have been attending a funeral or have been fired from work, or had to quit.
In a Money/Career Context
You may have been, prosecuted or under suspicion for financial crimes. You may have been forced to work in a labour camp under modern slavery after being promised a good life. You may have been trapped in a foreign country or sex trafficked.
In a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, this card reversed represents moving through a dark night of the soul and emerging on the other side. You are working through trauma and philosophizing over the problem of evil in the world. A broad spiritual perspective on suffering is emerging.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice
Accept the reality. Endure the situation. Deal with the karma.
As (Ultimate) Outcome
Release from imprisonment, suspicion, lawfare or other oppression.
As Obstacles
Systemic barriers. Societal prejudice. Marginalizaton. Discrimination. etc.
As Hidden Energy
Lawfare preparations, stalking, premeditation to crimes.
As Resources/Alliances
Acceptance, faith in God.
Additional Notes on The RWS ‘Nine of Swords’
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Nine of Swords
"Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair. Reversed: Imprisonment, suspicion, doubt, reasonable fear, shame." (The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911)
RWS Nine of Swords Symbolism
A.E. Waite’s Nine of Swords depicts a figure sitting up in bed, head in their hands in a gesture of utter despair. Nine swords are mounted horizontally on the dark wall behind them, symbolizing the oppressive weight of their negative thoughts. The quilt on the bed is decorated with roses and astrological symbols, suggesting that even in the midst of mental anguish, life, passion, and a connection to the wider universe still exist, even if unseen by the suffering figure.
Meditations On The Nine of Swords
What specific thoughts are keeping me awake at night?
Are my fears based on evidence and reality, or am I creating worst-case scenarios in my mind?
Who can I reach out to for help to shine a light on these dark thoughts?
Continue Reading About The Minor Arcana
Next Card: The Ten of Swords
Previous Card: The Eight of Swords
