A comparison of the Nine/Swords

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Phoenyx*	24 Feb 2004
This was inspired by the thread that you can find here. This is mainly coming from the LWBs I still have, and a comparison of the meanings of the 9/Swords from a few different decks. The Rider Waite: death, failure,miscarriage, delay, deception, disappointment, despair. The Thoth deck: Creulty; agony of mind, despair, hopelessness, worry, suffering, loss, illness, malice, pain, burden, oppression. The Witches' Tarot: (Note: vastly different from the others) results are about to manifest, it is almost time to move.

Rusty Neon	24 Feb 2004
The similarity between RWS and Thoth divinatory meanings (DMs), especially for pip cards of the minor arcana, shouldn't be surprising as both the RWS and Thoth are Golden Dawn inspired decks whose DMs for the pip cards follow closely the DMs given in the Golden Dawn's manuscript _Book T_.

Imagemaker	25 Feb 2004
Maybe those 2 meanings (despair vs 'things are about to move") could be combined in the adage "things are always darkest before the dawn." Then they're both true. (I could barely read what Triquetra posted in green--I use the blue/violet version of AT--could you post in yellow for emphasis, if not white? So boring, I know, but readable!)

BlueLotus	25 Feb 2004
According to accompanying book Wisdom in the Cards this card is A difficult situation where everything seems to be hitting a person all at once. Negative self image that is self-defeating. A situation of feeling that one is surrounded by difficulty. LWB "negative self-image. Self defeat." This is one of the feared cards in the deck. But it is mental fear rather than real physical disaster that may be at stake.

Gardener	25 Feb 2004
I hope posting this here fits the customs of the forum - I was also struck by the thread on nine of swords/suicide begun for the Sacred Circle deck, and posted my thoughts in the General Forum for the Victoria Regina deck. But since the discussion seems to be located here, I thought I throw my comment into the ring... Nine of swords or should that be nine of guns? I noticed in another thread a discussion about whether the nine of swords could indicate thoughts of suicide, and thought I'd bring that up with respect to the Victoria Regina deck. Although nine of swords is generally a fairly dark card, especially in this deck it does seem to suggest bleak and violent thoughts. Do others agree? And is this a bad thing? In the other thread, about a deck I don't have (Sacred Circle), one person suggested that such an interpretation was so harsh that they might not be willing to work with the deck. But shouldn't tarot cards cover the full spectrum of human emotions? Just thought I'd put this out there as a question - does the Regina deck seem particularly dark to people? Unflinchingly honest? Do you find yourselves drawn to a deck because its interpretations seem gentle?

lionette	25 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Feebie This is one of the feared cards in the deck. But it is mental fear rather than real physical disaster that may be at stake. Yes, I agree with Feebie. That's how I always read the Thoth 9Swords. The New Century has a slight twist on this by adding "nightmares" and the card imagery shows 2 "dream ghost" faces coming towards the despairing figure seated amid a red cloud backdrop (sorry can't scan the card). To me really emphasizes the imagined element of suffering. From its LWB: "The Nine of Swords represents nightmares, desperation, desolateness, fear of loss, and a fear of being alone. At least somewhat less menacing than Thoth! :)

BlueLotus	25 Feb 2004
In this deck, the card takes a different turn, although the depressing, rather shocking take is still there. http://www.bluecatsden.com/ap9swords.jpg According to the LWB: A prophetic dream. Being in a critical position to affect events. Being overwhelmed by a sudden intuition of danger. Acknowledging the accuracy of insights, especiallly when they are not pleasant. Foreknowledge that demands action. So, I guess this card may foretell of disaster in the form of a dream, intuition or insight. The disaster may not be one hitting the querent directly but rather that the querent will be knowing of it somehow, beforehand and needs to take action, and may probably be able to avert it. The image depicts an obviously devasted woman who may have just awaken from a 'nightmare' and 9 swords are hovering over her head . An open window/door shows behind them. The Image of a mountain is in the background, with some sun rays gleaming into the room. May foretell that all is not lost, yet, and hope is there, but the woman must act , maybe, swiftly.

Indigo Rose	26 Feb 2004
The Rider Waite deck shows the woman crying in her bed. Stephen Walter Sterling in Tarot Awareness links the 9 Swords with Mars in Gemini. This is a highly nervous mental energy, that can cause a restless spirit. The focus here is more of a self-imposed worry, than a prophecy of doom.

The A comparison of the Nine/Swords thread was originally posted on 24 Feb 2004 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.