Nine of Swords

What the card means

Upright

The three in the morning mind, which lies with great conviction. Somebody sits on a bed with their face in their hands, nine swords on the wall - not in them, and not falling. Everything on this card is happening in a head, and that does not make it smaller.

Reversed

Saying the dread aloud takes some of its size. Not all - some, and that is usually enough to get to morning. Sometimes an anxiety already receding.

Love and relationships

Upright

Night thoughts about something that may not exist. Before building the version, ask - it is almost always cheaper.

Reversed

Said what the fear was and found it could be shared.

Work and business

Upright

Anxiety about the work, larger than the work. The task in daylight is nearly always smaller than at three.

Reversed

Talked and found out. Or the fear of being let go came to nothing.

Money

Upright

Money dread, usually running ahead of the facts. Do the sums on paper - figures settle it more accurately than reassurance.

Reversed

Looked at the accounts and it turned out to be bearable.

The card's advice

Decide nothing at night. Write the thing tormenting you in one line and look at it in the morning. And tell somebody - said aloud, a fear is always smaller than it is inside.

As the card of the day

A day heavy in the feeling and contradicted by the doing. Good for talking to somebody. Poor for conclusions and for being alone.

What is depicted

A figure sits up in bed with their face in their hands; nine swords hang on the dark wall in an even row. Roses and zodiac signs on the coverlet. The swords hang - not driven in, and touching nobody.

Zodiac sign and correspondences

Mars in Gemini - thought turned against itself.

With other cards

• Nine of Swords + The Star — it lets go by morning; that is nearer than it feels.
• Nine of Swords + Strength — the fear is large and can still be handled.
• Nine of Swords + Eight of Swords — fear and helplessness together; both exaggerate.