The Nine of Swords [Upright]

The nine of swords shows us a female figure who seems quite upset. She is sitting up in bed, holding her head, like she's woken from a bad dream or is feeling extremely stressed out.

This is the woman we saw semi-imprisoned in the previous card. Here she has been released yet doesn't seem to be genuinely emotionally liberated.

The nine shiny swords hang on her wall like trophies, but they seem to represent sharp, painful memories rather than triumphs.

Notice that her bed cover is decorated with astrological symbols, highlighting her connection to the universe.

Nine of Swords Keywords [Upright]

• Fear
• Despair
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Negativity
• Isolation
• Worry

Nine of Swords Meaning [Upright]

The upright nine of swords is a tarot card representing anxiety, fear, or worries. These could be hangovers from previous traumas that were never fully resolved or current issues that you are trying to ignore.

The truth is that nothing just conveniently disappears, no matter how much you want that to happen. Worries and concerns keep bubbling away, burning themselves into your brain and polluting your life.

It's time to stop punishing yourself and come to terms with what is going on in your life right now. You have likely tried to manage these problems at least once before, but nothing has ever been fully resolved.

Now is the time to deal with things from the past and then let them go. It may be challenging to ask for help, but it's the only way to break the cycle. You may be surprised at how quickly new perspectives bring relief.

Key Points – Love [Upright]

• The upright nine of swords suggests your love life is at risk of tension, anxiety, or upset. Avoid making sudden decisions, though, as you may not be seeing things rationally. It's not unusual for concerns to snowball out of control when worrying about something alone.
• Single people may find unfinished business from past relationships is interfering with current love interests. Focus on tidying up the past before moving forward with something new.

Key Points – Money [Upright]

• The upright nine of swords highlights a period of financial stress and pressure. These are genuine concerns, but they are exaggerated, the way things often are when they wake you at night.
• Rather than carrying this burden alone, reach out for advice and support. This action should help create perspective and reduce anxiety.

Key Points - Career [Upright]

• If things in your workplace are pretty stressful, the upright nine of swords is a warning. You will get in trouble pretty soon if you don't deal with any niggles and issues now.
• You may be surprised to find things aren't as bad as you'd imagined. After all, worrying does make you lose perspective. Either way, burnout is likely if you let things coast.
• This could be the right time to change careers or perhaps make a sideways move to a new position that suits you and your skillset. It's also worth considering if some counseling or support would be of benefit.