Swords  ·  IX

Nine of Swords Tarot Card Meaning — Upright & Reversed

Upright Meaning

The 3am territory — the mind that has turned against itself in the dark, that has made the feared thing larger than the actual thing. Nine of Swords names the suffering of the inner life when anxiety is given free rein in the hours when perspective is unavailable. The morning will look different.

Reversed Meaning

The acute phase of the anxiety is releasing. Something that was being faced alone is beginning to be shared, or a perspective is arriving that reduces the size of what the fear had made enormous. The release is gradual but genuine.

Key Words

Nine of Swords in Love

In love, the Nine of Swords is anxiety and sleepless worry over a relationship, often worse in the mind than in reality. Reversed, hope returns as you share your fears.

Nine of Swords in Career

For career, the Nine of Swords is stress, worry and overthinking that magnify problems. Reversed, relief comes as you reach out for help.

Nine of Swords in Spirituality

Spiritually, the Nine of Swords is the dark night of the mind — fear wrestling with faith. Reversed, you are releasing the anxiety.