The Nine of Blades is widely seen as an unfavorable card to draw due to its association with fear, unease, despair, and hopelessness.
I recall the initial instance I pulled this card during a personal reading, I had the immediate urge to reshuffle my deck. However, I resisted the temptation for one simple reason: whether I liked it or not, it genuinely represented my current state of mind.
The implication of the card does not suggest that you have a terrible life, but rather that you have allowed negative emotions to consume your entire being.
Are you feeling overwhelmed in your home or work environment? Do your nights consist of anxiety and sorrow? It may be time to carefully assess what is troubling you and determine whether you are magnifying small issues into something larger.
Nine of Blades Key Words
Before delving deeper into the upright and reversed meanings of the Nine of Blades card, as well as its connections to love, career, and life, below you will find a brief overview of the most significant words associated with this Minor Arcana card.
| Upright | Despair, hopelessness, anxiety |
| Reversed | Releasing anxiety, optimism, recovering |
| Yes or No | No |
| Number | 9 |
| Element | Air |
| Planet | Mercury |
| Astrological Sign | Gemini |
Nine of Blades Tarot Card Description
In order to fully grasp the meaning of the Nine of Blades tarot card, let us first examine its illustration, colors, and symbolism.
The Nine of Blades tarot card portrays a man sitting on a bed with his face buried in his hands. Behind him, nine swords are hung on the wall in a vertical line.
The man’s shoulders are slumped, indicating that he may have awakened from a nightmare or that he is weeping into his hands.
Beneath him, there is an engraving on his bed of a defeated person, symbolizing the despair he feels.
Nine of Blades Tarot Meaning
In the upright position, the Nine of Blades is a card that represents self-sabotage. It signifies deep unhappiness, stress, feeling overwhelmed, and burdened. If this card appears in your reading, there is no need to wonder why. The emotions associated with this card are usually so intense that they are what led to the reading in the first place!
You may also believe that there is little you can do to improve your situation. However, this is not true. If you desire liberation from this predicament, you must examine yourself honestly.
Are the challenges you are currently facing truly as dire as they appear? The Nine of Blades tarot card is here to remind you that you may be enveloped in a mentality of victimhood.
Not to fret, however! Regardless of the circumstances at home, work, or concerning your well-being, there is always a method to conquer your emotions.
Money and Career Interpretation
In a occupation spread, the Nine of Swords indicates feelings of despair and unease regarding your work situation. Maybe you are struggling to enjoy your job or participate in team activities at your workplace. You may believe that the conflict you are encountering with your team members stems from their dislike for you.
I comprehend the excruciating nature of this situation, but you cannot allow others’ perceptions to govern your reality. Give your utmost effort at work, school, and extracurricular projects. When you approach them with a positive mindset, things will fall into place.
In a finance reading, the Nine of Swords serves to inform you that your financial circumstances might not be as dire as they appear. If you feel concerned about money, try focusing on what you possess rather than what you lack.
Now, devise a plan. You might be tempted to stay in bed and surrender, but that won’t improve your work or financial situation. So, what alternatives do you have instead?
Love and Relationships Interpretation
When the Nine of Swords emerges in a romantic reading, someone is emotionally distraught. This card indicates that things are not going well in your love life at the moment.
It is possible that you and your partner have been engaging in frequent arguments, leading to significant stress and anxiety for both of you.
Now is the time to closely examine whether the situation is truly as dire as it appears. You might discover that the tensions in your relationship can be resolved with a simple conversation.
If you are single, the Nine of Swords suggests that you might be excessively dwelling on the past. Are you longing to change something that occurred in a past relationship? Now is not the moment to look backwards.
The past remains behind, and there is likely little you can do to alter it. Instead, focus on the future and determine what steps can be taken to bring about positive change.
Health and Spirituality Interpretation
In a well-being reading, the Nine of Swords represents two distinct things: mental ailments or migraines. If this card emerges in a health spread, it is advisable to visit a doctor.
In the meantime, exercise caution when self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Understand that these coping mechanisms will only worsen your situation.
The best course of action is to seek support from someone who can assist you on your journey towards a happier and healthier version of yourself!
Reversed Nine of Swords
In this passage, we will delve a bit further into the meaning of drawing the Nine of Swords tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
In the reversed position, the Nine of Swords symbolizes transcending obstacles.
You have acknowledged that you are your own harshest judge and that numerous predicaments in your existence arise from self-evaluation.
This self-critique has a paralyzing impact and hinders you in various aspects of life. It makes you feel insignificant and could lead to emotional consequences such as anxiety or a sense of sadness.
So, if the reversed Nine of Swords appears during your reading, it is time to diminish this negative self-talk and confront your inner critic with a completely new outlook.
Begin your day with positive self-affirmations, concentrate on the present moment, or replace every pessimistic thought with an encouraging statement that is also accurate.
There are numerous tools available to help you overcome this critical inner voice and manage your anxiety. Once you accomplish this mission, you will attain clarity.
Nine of Swords: Affirmative or Negative
The Nine of Swords tarot card has overall negative connotations in your tarot deck. Since the card represents agony, distress, and an inability to cope, in a yes or no spread, the answer to your question is a definite no.
Instead of making a major decision, take the time to examine your internal state. Once you uncover the root of the problem, you will be prepared to move forward.
Nine of Swords and Astrology
The Nine of Swords tarot card is associated with the Gemini zodiac sign. This intellectual air sign acquires knowledge rapidly.
A Gemini is the charismatic, flirtatious, and at times gossip-prone family member who always maintains a youthful spirit. However, if this zodiac sign succumbs to its darker side, it can become unstable and volatile.
Significant Card Combinations
Fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and despair are the primary themes of the Nine of Swords tarot card. These themes are present when combined with other cards. Below, you can discover the most common combinations involving the Nine of Swords card.
Nine of Swords and The Fool
When the Nine of Swords and the Fool appear together in a spread, they draw attention to feeling unprepared for a situation.
Perhaps you have an upcoming job interview for an opportunity that you feel unready for. It’s possible that you are worried about the interview not going well because you don’t possess all the necessary requirements for success.
Remember, in these moments, you mustn’t allow your anxieties to overpower you. A recruiter wouldn’t invest their time considering candidates who are unqualified or underqualified. You possess what you need to succeed – all you must do now is believe in yourself.
Nine of Swords and The Magician
The combination of the Nine of Swords and the Magician reveals that misunderstandings will lead to stress in your life.
Do you constantly find yourself in disagreement with someone close to you? The cards are attempting to communicate that the source of your stress stems from a misunderstanding.
Spend some time with this individual clarifying their perspective of the disagreement and ensure that you also articulate your own. This is the optimal method to resolve the issue confronting you.
Nine of Swords and the Empress
The Empress card revolves around ingenuity and thus conveys the message that if you are seeking a way to generate abundance and earn money, you should not pursue conventional paths.
When this card is combined with the Nine of Swords, it signifies that you need not fret about your financial situation. Instead, evaluate your possessions and formulate future plans that incorporate innovation and non-traditional avenues.
Nine of Swords and The Lovers
If the Nine of Swords and the Lovers tarot card appear together in a spread, you are needlessly worrying about your relationship.
Although you may perceive that your partner lacks interest in you and that the relationship is destined to end, this assumption is simply unfounded. You are allowing self-doubt and pessimism to dominate your thoughts.
Try focusing on the positive aspects of your relationship and remind yourself that this individual has the freedom to leave if they so desire.
Questioning your loved one’s intentions and the overall relationship only brings harm to yourself.
Nine of Swords and The Wheel of Fortune
The Nine of Swords and the Wheel of Fortune indicate apprehension about the future. Although we cannot predict what lies ahead, there is no need to agonize over what might occur.
The worst course of action would be to allow your mind to wander towards worst-case scenarios. The future can be daunting at times, but do not let it consume your life.
Maintain faith in your ability to handle whatever comes your way.
Nine of Swords Tarot Cards
Although the explanation of the Nine of Swords is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it does not mean that I utilize other cards as well. There are numerous exquisite decks available in the market! Below, you can find a small selection of beautiful Nine of Swords tarot cards.
Modern Way TarotElizabeth Abernathy via Behance.netAluette Card Deck
Nine of Swords in a reading
That concludes the information on the Nine of Swords card.
Grant yourself a period to thoroughly examine that which is distressing you and how to reverse the situation once more!
I trust this interpretation came across clearly to you and am eager to learn about your encounters with this card!
