Nine of Swords

Card Description

The Nine of Swords shows a person sitting up in bed, hands covering their face in despair. Nine swords hang on the wall behind them, and the blanket is decorated with roses and zodiac symbols. The scene depicts the anguish of sleepless nights, haunted by worries and fears.

This card represents the mental anguish we create through worry, often when the actual situation isn't as dire as our fears suggest.

Upright Meaning

The Nine of Swords indicates anxiety, worry, and the mental suffering that comes from our darkest thoughts.

• Anxiety and excessive worry
• Nightmares and disturbed sleep
• Guilt and regret keeping you awake
• Depression or despair
• Fear and negative self-talk
• Making mountains out of molehills

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Nine of Swords suggests recovery from anxiety, finding hope, and realizing fears were worse than reality.

• Recovery from anxiety or depression
• Finding light at the end of the tunnel
• Realizing worries were exaggerated
• Getting help for mental health
• Learning to manage anxiety
• Hope returning after dark times

Nine of Swords in Love

Upright: Anxiety about a relationship, worrying about a partner, or letting past relationship trauma affect present love. Nighttime worries about romance.

Reversed: Healing from relationship anxiety, realizing fears about love were unfounded, or getting help processing relationship trauma.

Nine of Swords in Career

Upright: Work-related stress keeping you up at night, anxiety about job security, or overwhelming career worries. The stress may be worse than the reality.

Reversed: Work anxiety lifting, realizing job worries were exaggerated, or finding ways to manage career-related stress.