Ten of Swords
Terminus
“You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.”
A Knight’s Tale
Ten of Swords at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Ten of Swords marks an ending so complete that denial can no longer keep the old situation alive.
| Upright | finality, rock bottom, an unavoidable ending, truth after collapse, release from a dead situation |
|---|---|
| Reversed | survival, delayed ending, temporary recovery, refusing closure, repeated betrayal |
| Linked card | Death |
| Soundtrack | The Deconstruction by Eels Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Finality
- Rock bottom
- An unavoidable ending
- Truth after collapse
- Release from a dead situation
- Accepting defeat
- Closure
- The worst becoming known
- Ending a destructive pattern
- Beginning after exhaustion
Reversed meanings
- Survival
- Delayed ending
- Temporary recovery
- Refusing closure
- Repeated betrayal
- Clinging to pain
- A slight improvement
- Consequences continuing
- Fear of another collapse
- Using victimhood as an identity
Ten of Swords in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Communication: Accepting defeat. Reversed: Clinging to pain. |
| Career | Work: Closure; the worst becoming known. Warning: A slight improvement. |
| Money | Financial theme: Ending a destructive pattern. Warning: Fear of another collapse. |
| Feelings | Upright: An unavoidable ending. Reversed: Temporary recovery. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Beginning after exhaustion. Watch for: Using victimhood as an identity. |
| Outcome | Potential: Release from a dead situation. Obstacle: Repeated betrayal. |
| Yes or no | No for continuation; yes for ending and eventual renewal. |
Symbols in Ten of Swords
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The ten swords | The situation has passed beyond repair by small adjustment. |
| The prone figure | Agency is temporarily absent at the moment of collapse. |
| The dark sky | The emotional atmosphere is severe but not total. |
| The sunrise | A new day exists beyond an ending that cannot be reversed. |
A. E. Waite's original description
A prostrate figure, pierced by all the swords belonging to the card.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Whatsoever is intimated by the design; also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation. It is not especially a card of violent death.
Reversed:
Advantage, profit, success, favour, but none of these are permanent; also power and authority.
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: Nine of Swords
- Next card: Page of Swords
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.
