Nine of Swords
Torment
“Hello darkness, my old friend.”
The Sound of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel
Nine of Swords at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Nine of Swords depicts suffering intensified by the mind when fear is repeated in isolation.
| Upright | anxiety recognised, confronting a nightmare, guilt, sleeplessness, mental distress |
|---|---|
| Reversed | worsening anxiety, secrecy, despair, suspicion, shame |
| Linked card | The Moon |
| Soundtrack | Tainted Love by Soft Cell Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Anxiety recognised
- Confronting a nightmare
- Guilt
- Sleeplessness
- Mental distress
- Asking for support
- Examining catastrophic thoughts
- Private grief
- Facing shame
- Separating danger from anticipation
Reversed meanings
- Worsening anxiety
- Secrecy
- Despair
- Suspicion
- Shame
- Fear becoming habitual
- Refusing reassurance
- Imprisonment by thought
- Gradual relief
- A problem finally spoken aloud
Nine of Swords in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Communication: Asking for support. Reversed: Fear becoming habitual. |
| Career | Work: Examining catastrophic thoughts; private grief. Warning: Refusing reassurance. |
| Money | Financial theme: Facing shame. Warning: Gradual relief. |
| Feelings | Upright: Guilt. Reversed: Despair. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Separating danger from anticipation. Watch for: A problem finally spoken aloud. |
| Outcome | Potential: Mental distress. Obstacle: Shame. |
| Yes or no | No for immediate ease; support and reality-checking are needed. |
Symbols in Nine of Swords
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The figure sitting upright | Sleep has been interrupted by thought or memory. |
| The nine horizontal swords | Repeated ideas form a dense mental ceiling. |
| The carved bed | Conflict and violence have entered the place intended for rest. |
| The patterned quilt | Shared human stories surround a person who currently feels alone. |
A. E. Waite's original description
One seated on her couch in lamentation, with the swords over her. She is as one who knows no sorrow which is like unto hers. It is a card of utter desolation.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Death, failure, miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair.
Reversed:
Imprisonment, suspicion, doubt, reasonable fear, shame.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Eight of Swords
- Next card: Ten of Swords
- Browse: All Swords cards
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
