Ten of Swords
Ten of Swords
The Ten of Swords depicts one of the most painful and sad images in the entire Tarot deck. A man lies face down with ten long swords embedded in his back. The sky above is pitch black and the general feeling is one of sadness, loss, and misfortune. However, despite these ominous images, there are positive aspects to this card. The sea before which the body lies is glassy and calm, and the sunrise is appearing in the distance beyond the mountains. The fire of the sun is burning the clouds of darkness away as it rises and the darkness will soon be dispelled.
The Ten of Swords is very similar to the Death card of the Major Arcana. It is not to be taken literally as an indication of an actual death but rather as evidence of an impending change which may initially be difficult to accept. The Nine of Swords indicates that there is finally closure to an outstanding issue, which may have been difficult to deal with. This is a card of endings and possibly loss, but as with all endings there is heralded a new beginning, a rebirth, and a rejuvenation of the spirit. We may have been struggling with a difficult decision for some time, or we may have been clinging to something, which was ultimately not in our best interests, and now we must learn to let go. The process of change is often difficult, yet life is filled with uncertainty; "The only thing constant in life is change!"The Ten of Swords portends a difficult experience of loss or release, but a new awareness and a positive sense of relief that the difficulty is finally finished will eventually follow the pain of this experience. Though this card may seem negative at first glance, it is a card of hope and an indication that our troubles will not be permanent.
The Ten of Swords appears to be a card of terrible misfortune, but, surprisingly, it often represents troubles that are more melodramatic than real. The man on this card has quite a few swords in his back. Wouldn't one be enough? Isn't ten excessive? Perhaps this gentleman's suffering - though sincere - is exaggerated as well. One meaning of the Ten of Swords is hitting rock bottom. When one disaster follows another, we feel devastated at first, but eventually we throw up our hands up and laugh. It's so bad, it's funny! In films, the hero says, "What else could possibly go wrong?" and we know a bucket of water is about to fall on his head. When you see the Ten of Swords, know that the last bucket has fallen, and you can expect a turn for the better.
This card can also show when you're in victim mentality. You're certain that the whole world is picking on you just to make your life difficult. I picture the man lifting his head and saying, "You think you've got it bad...a cut on the finger. I've got ten swords in my back...count, 'em - ten!" Then he drops his head back down with a sigh. When we're in victim mentality, we think everything is horrible, hopeless and impossibly unfair. Being a martyr is also a favorite Ten of Swords activity. In this case, the man would say with a weak wave of his hand, "No...You go on. Have fun. Don't think about me. I'll just stay here with these swords in my back...but I want you to enjoy yourself." Being a martyr in this sense is not the same as making a sacrifice for another with no strings attached. With the Ten of Swords, either is possible, but doing a good turn for someone else is more satisfying without the strings. I don't mean to make light of misfortunes because, of course, there are many real tragedies in the world. Sometimes the Ten of Swords indicates a sad event, but you know when this is the case. There is not even a hint of laughter in your heart. Most of the time the Ten of Swords has a lighter side. It is as if your Inner Guide is gently kidding you about how you are handling your own personal tale of woe.
The Ten of Swords foretells misfortune in the situation. There may be much sadness regarding your questions. Most of the pain that is associated will be mental rather than physical. Things will not go smoothly in your dealings with others because of obstacles or adverse conditions, hardships or disputes, and you may quit, be demoted or dismissed. Your family will be more in focus than usual, and conditions all around won't be at their best. Fear poverty or ruin and want to find a way out of an impossible dilemma. Don't give up on yourself or another or consider the situation (or the person) hopeless.
If your first exposure to the Ten of Swords comes from one of the older books and more traditional decks, you come away from this card with a feeling of utter defeat. The Ryder Waite deck, for example, shows a man lying flat on the ground, with ten swords sticking out of his back. But remember, the older decks portrayed the negative and implied the positive. They did this to keep the frivolous of soul away from the mysteries of the Tarot. But this card contains within it some of the most powerful lessons in the suit. As you know, swords are about mental activity. The conscious mind and how it works - or doesn't. This is, in some ways, a card of absolute passivity. A complete letting go, in the negative, from despair. But in the positive, the seeker has realized that he/she has taken her (his) issue as far as possible, and that there is nothing more that can be done. At times like this, it is necessary to become very quiet, to be able to allow things to take their course without intervention, manipulation or control. Remember, inaction is a form of action. The choice to do nothing is a choice. This is not, as some have called it, the doormat card.
Ruin. You need to know that the worst is over. Though the hopes and dreams of the past may be dashed, new ones will arise in time. If words cannot comfort, a wound this deep and loss this devastating may require professional help.
Fear of ruin, to such a point that emotional relationship/finances will not work out), ego-hang up, end of problem. Self-pity, doubt, betrayal, mistrust. If next to Ace of Swords, limitations are coming up. Hysteria, it would only take one knife to kill a man, yet this person has ten swords in him, even in his ear.