9 of Swords

[Little Baron]

I always see the 9 of Swords as a troubled card; it is one of the darker in the Rider Waite.

With this in mind, how do people view the quite (or very) cheerful bedspread? Also, any insights on the engraved picture on the bed?

Best wishes

Yaboot

[Little Baron]

With reference to the above, it is the Universal Waite depiction I am referring to.

Y

[HudsonGray]

It looks like roses & the signs of the zodiac plus a crescent moon.

Sort of cheery, like life cycles on, regardless of the stressed out way people get.

This was it, right? http://www.learntarot.com/bigjpgs/swords09.jpg

The image of the two people in the carving is too vague to make out all the details, is that a woman on the left laying down & some knight or man dramatically approaching her? Can't tell if it's a good thing or bad thing goingto happen.

[Ruby Red Slippers]

Yaboot:

That was one of my picks for a daily read today.

I read it as my time of "mind/thoughts" driving me crazy was near an end......A Good Card.

Robin Wood has a thing where she says if your eye is attracted to one of the astro glyphs, it can tell you something about the person. Such as, cancers can't let go or mercury - may have a communication problem.

I also think of this card along with the moon energy as a help rather than a hinderance. Often our night fears are dispelled with the light of day.

I like the 9's - it's one of my fav #'s!

Ruby Red Slippers

[spoonbender]

Rachel Pollack notes that because the Swords do not stick in her back, this can be something happening to someone we love, not directly to us... she says love fills this card and gives it meaning, explaining the red roses of passion...

this is what Robin Wood says about the signs: "The universe is really working to help her learn and grow, as it is for all of us. The crescent moon is a reminder that the Lady is taking care of this, too, and has not deserted us, no matter how we may feel at the moment."

I have no idea what the carving means! the person on the right seems to be knight, but I think he's holding a sword, like he wants to slash the other person... brr I think I'm looking to long at the carving, now the tree on the left looks like a skull!

this card always seemed a little strange to me--the person sitting it bed sits so weird, don't you think? it's like she has no legs, she sits so straight! but maybe that's just me...

hope this helped,
Spoonbender

[silverwitchi]

Hi I'm pretty new to the forum I hope it is okay if I join this
study group.
In reference to the 9 of sword. I don't see the swords as a dark
negative card. I see it as what we experience,and are subjected to when we take off the blindfold of the 8 of swords.
The blindfold that keeps us isolated from life, our emotions
and our experiences. We are weeping over what was or what may be,or will be. Crying overwhat has been or might be isn't
the answer it's only a way we segregate ourselves from what
we understandings our knowledge and from others. We should
join together what we know as action and move away and start
to prepare a new beginning.

[divinerguy]

To me, the carving suggests someone being vanquished, or overcome by an aggressor.

[Baby Owl]

Now that I look at it, the pattern of the swords over the person's head seems similiar to the pattern on the bedspread. Both involve straight rows, horizontal lines, like a plowed field.

The swords are rows of sharpness and discomfort; the rows on the spread contain images of growth or rebirth (flowers) and the cycles of life (zodiac signs).

The swords are above the person (in his mind) whereas the blanket actually touches him, offering real comfort. I have an image in my mind of the person lying down and pulling the beautiful spread over him, at which point the swords will disappear.

Just my ramblings...

Baby Owl

[Chronata]

check out my story about this card in the favorite card thread...

A very wise young person explained these symbols to me better than anyone!
I havebeen using her story/explaination ever since.

[sagitarian]

First of all I would like to say this, lessons that we learn intellectually, and psychologically, are usually the most lasting and sometimes the most painful lessons. They wear us out, cause tears to flow, and we begin to feel vulnerable emotionally. Nothing on the outside of us changes, not our appearance, who or how we are. The only limitation we have is the limitation of what our bodies can't do, the mind however, is limitless. There are no boundaries, and it's impossible for it to be "filled" and also impossible for us to "dump" out the "trash". After a long period of time, the least little things effect us b/c we have very few (and very difficult) ways of getting rid of our trash. Changing is one of them, but this takes a lot of effort, and most of the time, a lot of time. We are in an era where everyone wants instant gratification. When this card comes up, I read it as, right now, you are disasisfied with life. You feel overwhelmed with your emotions, and those intense emotions are an after effect of what you've been going through as of late. Often even keeping you awake at night, as you feel you need to "clear out some space" but in your mind, which isn't as easy to do as tiddying up your house. My advice with this card is "find a way to vent out the emotions of the stress you are under, wether it be journaling, painting, talking, or just being able to find some time for yourself to wind down and truly relax. This can be done by taking a hot bath, reading a good book, or even maybe going with a friend to a movie. What helps me is, getting myself entertained with something else. Seeing a movie, or reading a book usually works pretty good.".

Also, sometimes this cards means you are over dramatizing something in your life, making your own reality worse then what it truly is. Perhaps someone found a letter addressed to their husband by another female, stating in the end, I love you very much. This could strike jealousy feelings and what not, and in the end, this could'a been a very old letter from an aunt or another part of the family, perhaps they passed away so he's held on to it for sentimental value, who knows? (I actually have had this card come up in a similar situation, believe it or not, where a wife thought her husband to be cheating on her by something she found, and it turned out to be relating to the family).

Just my two sense worth, hope it helps adding more ideas to this thread!

[paradoxx]

Originally posted by Yaboot001
I always see the 9 of Swords as a troubled card; it is one of the darker in the Rider Waite.

With this in mind, how do people view the quite (or very) cheerful bedspread? Also, any insights on the engraved picture on the bed?

Best wishes

Yaboot

I'm assuming that the bright color of the bedspread is to purposly contrast the darkness of the picture all around. The Engraving seems to be a fight of conflict of some kind, but alas, I am unable to decipher its exact meaning. It is the Zodiac glyphs on the spread that relate to the ever changing cycle of time, the woman (man?) looks like she is grieving for someone, or is just under emotional stress.

With that interpreation in mind, the subconcious (the engraving) lies below the persons awarness. The Zodiac Bed Spread indicates that no matter what we are a part of the earth and solar system and that does affect how we do things. The Cycle of Seasons and the change of the year are also equally obvious interpreations. It is the hoplessness and possible depression of nable to do anything inbetween that is represented by the person sitting straight up and the 9 swords may indicate troubled thoughts on the mind. Perhaps a guilty mind.

But then again, i could be totally wrong depending on the exact deck and spread one may be using.

[Jewel-ry]

Hi everyone,

A few thoughts on this card!

When I look at this card. I imagine the person to be in a quandry over what to do. Its as if some action is required but she/he is unable to sort it out in her mind. The carving could indicate this. I think this card is called 'cruelty' in some decks and that could also be symbolised by the carving. It certainly looks like someone is being aggressive or cruel. Perhaps its just mental torture. I always think the swords look like a horizontal blind and I think "OK, so open the blind, let the light in!" I can see so many different stories in this card. As for the quilt, it doesnt look very ruffled, I dont think this person has actually snuggled under the covers yet, so whatever the problem is, its keeping them up late!

[firestorm]

I've always interpreted the carving to be a picture of the nightmare that has this person waking up in fright. I've read that the 9 swords do not touch the person because the perceived threat is in his/her mind......in effect not really happening. Makes sense to me....plus it "gels" with the colorful bedspread, meaning that things aren't as bad as they seem.

[Dasani]

One meaning of this card "making mountain out of mole hills" so mabee because your under the blanket, things may look black but outside things aren't really that bad.

One other meaning I've read is "Free floating anxiety" (You are so use to feeling anxious that if your not, you'll pick anything to think about to make you feel this way. That would explain the crazy bedspread.

I never really thought of this before thanks!Hope I haven't put more confusion here .

[Indigo Rose]

I have a great book called Tarot Awareness by Stephen Walter Sterling, and in this book he states the astrological correspondence to the 9 of Swords is Mars in Gemini. This really struck me when I read this because my son has a Mars in Gemini. This is a very restless energy. It is one that can make a person "crazy" with worry. I see that in this card. I see a self-imposed nightmare brought forth by someone who has this immense mental energy and needs to channel it.This is someone who needs encouragement in dealing with this challenging disposition; and much comfort as seen by the quilt. Of course this energy can also be manipulated by those who see the struggle and yet seek to cause distress. Perhaps the figures carved in the bed frame are eluding to this fact, as one person seems to be "bullying" the other.

[paradoxx]

I have Mars in Gemini and i agree with your interpretation. My mind is abuzz with thoughts and random energies espeically at night. not that I want to stay up constantly, but sleep does not come easily.

It may also relate to ungrounded psychic awarness. I was very restles on September 10 2001, so when the WTC was attacked I was already awake, I have since encountered similar instances of psychic awarenss of world events, some of which have suprised me.

Also the Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Loshe shows a war in the background of its diagram, a commentary of this decks variable can be found in the General category.

[Indigo Rose]

I just read your response Paradoxx. Wow, your struggle reminds me of my son. He is also very gifted psychically and has this restlessness at night. He also has dreams and visions about the world. War is an ever present worry for him. I wonder if this card, and perhaps the Gemini Mars(in the planet of WaR) is a testimony to the fact that WAR starts in the mind? Hmmmm.

[CreativeFire]

Have read somewhere that the flowers (or hearts in my deck) and the zodiac symbol patchwork on the quilt are supposed to represent: they are motifs of air signs of the zodiac (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) - conflict between thinking and feeling - head versus heart.

This makes sense in that trying to sleep under a "blanket" of this sort of conflict between what you are thinking or worrying about versus how you truly feel about it, could be keeping you awake at night! No wonder the bed does not look ruffled or slept in. :-)

This card often makes me think of a parent with a teenager who has just started going out in the evenings with their friends. You know in your heart that they will be all right, but you still can't sleep because you can think of all the things that 'could' happen to them.

CreativeFire

[Kilted Kat]

The engraving of the fight between characters on the bed seems to me to be the symbol of the inner-conflict of Mars in Gemini. It was said above but I think it is worth mentioning again that the battle is between the conscious and the unconscious.

KK

[roppo]

As I wrote somewhere, I believe the fighting scene on the bed panel is "Cain kills Abel" and relevant to the decan attribution; Mars in Gemini = strife between brothers. The bed spread of roses and zodiac reminds me of the wall design of the "Vault of the Adepti" of RR et AC. All in all I'm under the impression that the scene suggests what is called "the dark night of the soul" which precedes the initiaion into higher order, higher life.

for the reference

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~elfindog/rwssw09.htm

you can see relevant jpegs among illegible Japanese letters!

[diane drizzy]

Oddly enough this is one of my favorite cards in the RW deck, the other being the 2 of swords.
Yes, it is a stressful card and I know that many of us at one time or another have felt this way before going to bed. I know I have!
At night things can also seem much larger than life.
The swords are the bad things hanging over her head-things she has to face, things she dosen't want to think about or wish would go away.The sword fight is just symbolic of the conflict of her troubles.
But, I also see it as a cleansing experience. Crying can be very therapeutic. The blanket (which I love!) is her protection.
I somehow think that she will be able to see things a bit more clearly. As for things being larger than life at night-those swords may be merely tree branches in the morning.

[kwaw]

As I wrote somewhere, I believe the fighting scene on the bed panel is "Cain kills Abel" and relevant to the decan attribution; Mars in Gemini = strife between brothers.

Makes sense to me. For example of a comparative image link below is for 'the killing of abel' on the Ghent altarpiece by Van Eyck, 1425-29 [you need to scroll down to the relevant image, above eve]:

http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/e/eyck_van/jan/09ghent/1open1/

Kwaw

[Fulgour]

Start off with the fact that the scene is on a bed.
Even if it's a Tarot bed, it's a bed~ not a museum.

Cain & Abel are not the stuff of bedroom furniture.

[michmm]

9 of swords has often depicted to me a situation where the querent is going thru anxiety and sleepless nights, is suffering from insomnia, but the querent is usually making a mountain of a molehill...it probably is not as bad as s/he makes it out to be! The rose bedspread, on the other hand, indicates that there IS some good stuff in your life or your situation, it is not all that bad as you are making it out to be. the zodiac signs indicate that 'time WILL heal everything".

[Crowqueen]

I concur with MichM - this and the 5 of cups for me are the "depression" cards, and I have been on anti-depressants for the last two years so this is important enough!

The 5 of Cups shows I am overlooking what is still there; I got it as an Opponent and the Four of Cups in the part of the reading where I was overcoming the Opponent, which suggested to me that clearly, the hand of Fate was going to show me the full cups that I still had while I was puzzling over the three spilt ones and trying to make sense of them.

Similarly the 9 of Swords is the endless worry about, ironically, the things that I am most hopeful for (and it appeared in the space before the 5 of Cups in the above reading, suggesting that I was panicking over nothing and that all would be revealed in time - which indeed it was, and from an unexpected quarter). What others have said about the bedspread being indicative that there are still good things in life rings a bell - similar to the 5 of Cups with the two full cups still there.

To me the 9Sw is prophetic of worry ahead, but I never reach the "end" of the 10 of Swords, which would suggest that these worries are fluff and nonsense rather than real and genuine.

[cdabs]

I'm not sure if this detail means anything, but on the Original RWS, the Roman Numeral IX is incomplete above the "X" part. IOW, there is a line that runs along the full bottom of the IX, but does not run along the full top.

The other IX cards from the Minors do not have this odd detail. I'm unsure of its significance (if any).

[tarotlyn]

9 of Swords

Actually, this card is the "dark night of the soul"...
causing MENTAL problems...

-a crisis situation -

This peson is "literally" making themselves sick with worry.
And they usually do wake up in the middle of the night crying
with dispair. This card could very well verge on the edge of suicide
and should be taken very seriously.

The person needs to "let go of" or "forgive" all the experiences
they have had that are negative...that ones they can recall.

They need to forgive "themselves." They also need to seek happiness
in order to replace or let go of the negative. Of course, it makes sense, that
the person would really learn a lot from going through this/these experience/s.

We shouldn't take this card lightly, as it is a warning.

Reversed:
The person has NOT learned from past experiences. They still do not
understand. Here is where you can warn them of heading for a serious
breakdown or crisis, unless they make some change in their life now.
:T9S

[Emerald_Empress]

I had this card come up in a celtic spread about myself in the fears position. I read a story that the IX of Swords was mourning the death of her brother killed in X of Swords with the suit going in reverse from King to Ace.
My brother had a heart transplant in December 2007 so it really struck me down when my initial instinct said I feared losing my brother.

It has come up in spreads since but now have come to read the IX of swords as there is something happening we are trying not to see and we are blocking it out.

[Jourdain]

The bedspread is a mixture of zodiac symbols, obviously, and also what appears to be the original tudor rose back design for the deck itself. If you use the Original Rider-Waite from Rider & Sons, with the blue rose backing, this makes more sense.

As for the scene on the bedframe, I think it relates to the violent, depressive, haunting, or victim-mentality meanings of the card. Someone is defeating someone else with a sword. I've always had an eerie fascination with this card; the Ten of Swords, too. They're just so...dark.

[HoneyBea]

The Esoteric Title of this card is Lord of Despair and Cruelty-it's a card that represents nightmares, anxieties, fears and that feeling of unease.

Regarding the bed and the bedspread quoting from Robert M. Place's book Tarot, History, Symbolism and Divination he says The quilt on the bed has a checked pattern. In the yellow squares there are red flowers with the fourfold structure. These are poppies, the symbol of dreams and remembrance.

He also goes on to say In the alternating blue squares, there are astrological glyphs, which suggest divination. In the carving on the side of the bed, one man thrusts at another as if to stab him with a sword



What the nine shows us here is that we seem to be heading too far in one direction, that it creates an imbalance mentally which in turn results in negativity and fears that remain in our mind. This is a card that reminds us that the only way out of this situation is to change our perspective, re-form our thoughts so that we may return again to balanced thinking.

From this image you do get the impression that the torment comes from within rather than from without, in order to overcome this infliction one needs to look seriously at these worries in order to understand why you have them.

~HoneyBea~

[Emerald_Empress]

This card always comes up in my readings, I can almost predict it!
Not sure of the full meaning as to why it is appearing in my spreads. I can only put it down to my sleeping disorder that stops me from going to sleep.
I could also say it may be my soulmate whose birthday is the 9th but his numerology number is 2.
What has this card meant to others in thier spreads other than grief?