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    Nine of Swords Tarot Card Meanings

    The Nine of Swords reveals nighttime worries and anxieties. What is keeping you up at 3 AM?

    nine of swords

    Nine of Swords Keywords

    nine of swords upright

    Upright

    Anxiety, fear, nightmares, worry, depression, isolation

    Skip to Upright meaning
    nine of swords reversed

    Reversed

    Healing, relief, hope, release, rejuvenation

    Skip to Reversed meaning

    Nine of Swords - Meaning and Symbolism

    “The card of sleepless nights and worry.”

    Visual Description: The Nine of Swords depicts a person sitting upright in bed, wrapped in a quilt of roses and astrological symbols. Their head is in their hands, revealing anguish and pain. Perhaps a nightmare has jolted them awake, or they cannot sleep due to worry. Above them, nine swords hang on the wall, shining brightly against a black background. On the bed, there is a carving of two people fighting.

    Symbolism: The black background represents the dark night of the soul and the anxieties and fears that this individual experiences. The carving on the bed suggests that the fighting is within this person, keeping them awake when they should be at peace. The nine swords hanging over them show us that whatever is on their mind is a great weight. However, the rich pattern on the quilt provides us with positive symbolism. Could the individual be overlooking the good to concentrate on the bad? Perhaps it won’t seem as dramatic in the morning light.

    Upright Nine of Swords Meaning

    The upright Nine of Swords represents anxieties and stress. It reveals dark thoughts that are impacting rest and relaxation. Often cropping up during a time of isolation, the Nine of Swords mirrors the worries that weigh heavily on our minds.

    You’re receiving a sign to break the cycle of negative thoughts until they become obsessive and materialize in your real life. Realize that overthinking has never done any good, and excessive worrying cannot prevent bad things from happening. On the contrary, fear about the future is protecting you from enjoying the present moment. Your negative thinking is stopping you from seeing all the good that surrounds you.

    nine of swords upright

    Upright keywords

    Love Meaning

    Suspicion, distrust, overthinking, regret

    Career Meaning

    Stress, burdens, worry, paranoia

    Finances Meaning

    Pressure, panic, overreacting

    Soul Searching Meaning

    Ungrounded, confused, out of touch

    Manifestation Meaning

    Blockage, negativity, failure

    Love (Upright)

    In a love reading, the Nine of Swords reveals suspicion and overthinking. It suggests that negative beliefs and thoughts are impacting your ability to be happy and content in your love life. If you are in a relationship, the card suggests that you may be too distrusting of your partner. Are you worried about infidelity or abandonment? The Nine of Swords asks you to look at things from an empirical standpoint. Things often seem much bigger in our heads, and your insecurities may not be about your partner, but about you.

    If you are single, the Nine of Swords suggests guilt over past romantic mistakes. Perhaps you regret the way you left things with an ex and blame yourself for the relationship's failure. It’s no point going over the past, though. Concentrate on working through your feelings by yourself before exploring a new relationship.

    Career (Upright)

    When appearing in a career reading, the Nine of Swords signifies worry and stress. It represents a time when work is taking over your life, leaving you feeling overwhelmed by obligations and responsibilities. It's time to step back and ask yourself if it's really worth it.

    The Nine of Swords can also reveal paranoia in the workplace. Do you feel judged by your coworkers or boss? Are you worried that you will be fired for no reason? You may need to tackle these thoughts through journaling or therapy to overcome them.

    Finances (Upright)

    When it comes to finances, the Nine of Swords represents anxiety and excessive worry. It reveals a time of financial uncertainty and maybe even financial pressure. However, things may not be as bad as you think they are.

    Try to be realistic and practical in regard to your finances. Have you got a roof over your head? Can you afford to feed yourself? If so, recognize this and ensure that you concentrate on what you have, not what you don’t have.

    Soul Searching (Upright)

    In a soul searching reading, the Nine of Swords reveals a disconnect from spirituality and a lack of direction. It suggests that your worries are impacting your connection to your soul, and this is causing even more issues regarding your happiness and growth.

    Grounding and mindfulness exercises may help you right now. Try to tackle your worries, and then look at what you can do to move forward with your spiritual path.

    Manifestation (Upright)

    Regarding manifestation, the Nine of Swords signifies an energy blockage and a lack of power. Your negativity is impacting your ability to manifest, which means you’re unable to progress. It's time to change your attitude and focus on positivity to help you with manifesting.

    Affirmation

    I replace the feeling of fear with love and hopefulness.

    Let's now discuss the Nine of Swords in reverse in love, career, finances, soul searching, and manifestation.

    Reversed Nine of Swords Meaning

    When reversed, the Nine of Swords represents a time of renewal and hope. The feelings associated with the upright Nine of Swords are still there, but the light at the end of the tunnel is shining brightly.

    You are on the right path because you are recognizing the negativity and stress that are impacting your life. Realizations regarding who you are and your journey in life are coming thick and fast, and you know you have the strength to get through this difficult time.

    nine of swords reversed

    Reversed keywords

    Love Meaning

    Sharing, overcoming, partnership, release

    Career Meaning

    Clarity, renewal, realisations

    Finances Meaning

    Pragmatism, positive change, understanding

    Soul Searching Meaning

    Growth, renewal, solace

    Manifestation Meaning

    Realizations, hope, new ideas

    Love (Reversed)

    In a love reading, the reversed Nine of Swords reveals the power of partnerships and truth. It suggests that any issues are coming to an end, with an emphasis on sharing thoughts and feelings. If you and your partner have been struggling, the reversed Nine of Swords shows that your love will be strong enough to overcome any problem. Talk about your feelings with your partner and listen to them as they express theirs.

    If you are single, the reversed Nine of Swords suggests that the work you have put into yourself will pave the way to a healthy and happy relationship. Be honest with any potential partners from the get-go, and never keep worries to yourself.

    Career (Reversed)

    The reverse Nine of Swords in a career reading represents a time when issues come to a head and get resolved. It reveals clarity regarding your work or business ventures, which means you are able to move forward with confidence. Things probably didn’t go as badly as you thought they would have, and this is giving your faith in your work a boost. Focus on the good and trust in yourself and your abilities.

    Finances (Reversed)

    Regarding money, the reversed Nine of Swords signifies positive change and a more realistic perspective. You have been feeling confused and overwhelmed with your financial state, with worry and comparisons taking over your life. However, you are now able to view things from a practical standpoint and understand that you should never compare what you have to what others have.

    Soul Searching (Reversed)

    When cropping up in a soul searching reading, the reversed Nine of Swords represents growth and renewal. The storm is over, and blue skies have arrived, and you are now able to explore your spiritual path without doubts and insecurities getting in the way. You may be feeling a bit guilty for neglecting your soul recently, but try to remove those negative thoughts from your mind. Incorporate spiritual practices and habits into your day-to-day life, and you will soon see the benefit.

    Manifestation (Reversed)

    When it comes to manifestation, the reversed Nine of Swords reveals new ideas and practices. It suggests that realizations regarding manifestation aims are occurring, bringing excitement and hope. It may be helpful to incorporate the element of air into your manifestation practices, allowing you to take power over the reversed Nine of Swords and use its energy to your advantage.

    Affirmation

    By observing my thoughts, I distance my true nature from my cluttered mind and obtain peace.

    Return to Minor Arcana Meanings
    astrology

    Astrology

    Sun in Gemini

    • Those born with their sun in Gemini crave understanding and mental clarity.
    • The Nine of Swords connects with this sign's tendency to overthink.
    • Gemini is the mutable air sign of the zodiac.

    Affirmation: I let thoughts freely flow in and out of my mind, without getting stuck on any in particular.

    element

    Element

    Air

    • The element of air rules the mind, which is the main focus of the Nine of Swords.
    • Our thoughts can change quickly and rapidly, like the element of air.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to focus on our positive thoughts over our negative ones.

    Affirmation: My life is filled with brilliance, wonder, and excitement.

    chakra

    Chakra

    Third Eye Chakra

    • The Third Eye Chakra allows us to connect with our intuition and wisdom.
    • As the Nine of Swords reveals difficulty in how we view ourselves, opening up the Third Eye Chakra boosts understanding.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to listen to ourselves without judgment, and the Third Eye Chakra can help us do this.

    Affirmation: I trust in my intuition and my ability to make the right choices.

    crystal

    Crystal

    Amethyst

    • Amethyst promotes healing and calmness, while gently opening us up to wisdom.
    • This crystal eases the overthinking and anxieties seen in the Nine of Swords.
    • Amethyst harmonizes with the Third Eye Chakra to promote spiritual growth.

    Affirmation: I feel a deep sense of peace within my core.

    letter

    Letter

    T

    • The letter T represents duality and truth.
    • Like the Nine of Swords, T asks us to recognize both the good and the bad.
    • We can work with the letter T to gain insight into our thoughts.

    Affirmation: I know myself truly, and do not shy away from every part of who I am.

    numerology

    Numerology

    9

    • The number 9 is associated with wisdom and understanding.
    • 9 represents the journey we are on and reminds us that we are always learning.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to explore new ways of thinking in order to grow.

    Affirmation: I learn something new about myself every day.

    Astrology: Sun in Gemini

    • Those born with their sun in Gemini crave understanding and mental clarity.
    • The Nine of Swords connects with this sign's tendency to overthink.
    • Gemini is the mutable air sign of the zodiac.

    Affirmation: I let thoughts freely flow in and out of my mind, without getting stuck on any in particular.

    Element: Air

    • The element of air rules the mind, which is the main focus of the Nine of Swords.
    • Our thoughts can change quickly and rapidly, like the element of air.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to focus on our positive thoughts over our negative ones.

    Affirmation: My life is filled with brilliance, wonder, and excitement.

    Chakra: Third Eye Chakra

    • The Third Eye Chakra allows us to connect with our intuition and wisdom.
    • As the Nine of Swords reveals difficulty in how we view ourselves, opening up the Third Eye Chakra boosts understanding.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to listen to ourselves without judgment, and the Third Eye Chakra can help us do this.

    Affirmation: I trust in my intuition and my ability to make the right choices.

    Crystal: Amethyst

    • Amethyst promotes healing and calmness, while gently opening us up to wisdom.
    • This crystal eases the overthinking and anxieties seen in the Nine of Swords.
    • Amethyst harmonizes with the Third Eye Chakra to promote spiritual growth.

    Affirmation: I feel a deep sense of peace within my core.

    Letter: T

    • The letter T represents duality and truth.
    • Like the Nine of Swords, T asks us to recognize both the good and the bad.
    • We can work with the letter T to gain insight into our thoughts.

    Affirmation: I know myself truly, and do not shy away from every part of who I am.

    Numerology: 9

    • The number 9 is associated with wisdom and understanding.
    • 9 represents the journey we are on and reminds us that we are always learning.
    • The Nine of Swords asks us to explore new ways of thinking in order to grow.

    Affirmation: I learn something new about myself every day.

    Reflective Questions for this card

    • What is the main source of anxiety in my life?
    • Do I experience negative thinking patterns, such as overgeneralization or all-or-nothing thinking?
    • Can I list the positivity that is in my life right now?

    However, if you look at the Nine of Swords on our Tridevia deck, you will see a much different image. Let's discuss what that means.

    Tridevia Deck - the Nine of Swords

    Visual Description: A skull-faced crescent moon reveals fear and confusion. Snakes entwined around swords indicate that dangers or bad situations are near. However, stars surround the figure, representing hope.

    Symbolism: Danger, hope, fear, safety.

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    nine of swords upright
    Affirmation

    Tridevia Tarot Deck is designed with 156 crafted positive affirmations in our guidebook, uniquely aligned to both upright and reversed meanings of each card, to guide your readings but also help you manifest your dreams and awaken the divine within you.

    How To Meditate With The Nine of Swords

    Step 1 icon

    Step 1

    Examine the Card

    Place the Nine of Swords in front of you and examine the imagery. Do you relate to the individual it depicts? Are you kept awake at night by worry and stress?

    Step 2 icon

    Step 2

    Identify Your Worry

    Identify your main worry and try to sum it up into one sentence. Are you constantly ruminating on your career? Are you worried about your relationship?

    Step 3 icon

    Step 3

    Change the Narrative

    Now, take your worry and change the negative thought into a positive one. For example, if you're worried about work, choose something related to your career that you enjoy. Create an affirmation from this positive thought and repeat it.

    Step 4 icon

    Step 4

    Inhale and Exhale

    Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. As you do so, imagine breathing out all your worries and replacing them with positive thoughts. 

    Step 5 icon

    Step 5

    Close and Give Thanks

    When you are ready, finish your meditation and express gratitude to the universe for its support as you navigate life. 

    Nine of Swords Cheat Sheet

    nine of swords cheat sheet

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