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I. Ten of Swords Rider Waite image description
The Ten of Swords shows a man who was in the prone position with ten swords stabbed him in the back. His lower body was covered with a red cloak. The dark sky brings a sense of suffering, loss, and misfortune. However, there are still positive aspects on this card. The ocean was very quiet and the sun was gradually rising, implying that darkness would soon be dispelled. Thus, the new beginning must come from an end and the failure is sowing the seeds of victory in the future.
The Ten of Swords is a card about terrible misfortune, but surprisingly, it often represents tragic problems rather than real ones. The man on this card was stabbed by many swords on his back. In fact, we do not know whether anyone can stand it or whether ten swords are too many or not. Perhaps, the pain of this man, though it deserves sympathy, is just being exaggerated.
This card also appears when you are feeling like a victim. You are sure that the whole world is treating you unfairly, making your life more difficult. When we get hurt, we often think that things are too tough, unfair and hopeless.
This is not a sign of misfortune and of course, there are still many real tragedies in the world. Sometimes, the Ten of Swords implies a sad event, but you still know when it happens. Deep down, you feel that nothing is interesting, but most of the time when it appears, it still has bright aspects, as if your mind just wants to joke about how you handle personal sorrows. When you draw this card during a spread, you should consider your attitude and make sure that you have reached the point where things will really start to improve.
II. Ten of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Touch the bottom, Feel harmed, Suffering from humiliation.
Touch the bottom
- There is no other way but to go ahead;
- There is always sunshine after the rain;
- Being at the bottom;
- Feel that things could not get any worse;
- Prepare for a step forward;
- Reach the threshold.
Feel harmed
- To weep your sad fate;
- Feel helpless;
- Fear of conflict;
- To view life with the eyes of hatred;
- Ask yourself “Why me?”;
- Feel sorry for yourself;
- Receive the consequences.
Be the one who sacrifices
- Put your rights last;
- Self-reflected;
- Feel humiliated;
- Step back;
- Let others go first;
- Sacrifice.
III. Opposite and Support Tarot cards to the 10 of Swords
Opposite cards
- Chariot – self-assertion, power, victory;
- 2 of Wands – power, confidence;
- 6 of Wands – raise yourself up, be on top;
- 9 of Cups – pleasant, happy with the situation.
Support cards
- Hanged Man – sacrifice, torment;
- 8 of Swords – victim mentality, powerlessness.
IV. 10 of Swords Upright Card Keywords
being stabbed in the back, failure, crisis, betrayal, ends, loss
Words and Keywords
Destruction, failure, defeat, make a break, a compulsive change, end a relationship, a decision that changes your life, breakdown, stop suffering, the illusion has vanished, permanent deadlock, separation, pain, time to let go, thief, negative thoughts, miserable, sorrow, depression, loss, destruction, bankruptcy, robbery, breaking, going down, bad condition, disaster.
The fatal disease, facing death, dangerous situations, collapse, divorce, loneliness, hardship, danger, a deadly punch, travel to somewhere far away (possibly by waterways), dissect or penetrate for medical reasons, injections, medical examination, the only direction is to go up.
Introduce
Like many cards in the Swords suit, this card gives an uncomfortable feeling, but at the same time, it is not really the feeling of “the end of the world”. However, when this card appears, it is still a clear sign that you should be careful about where you put your trust.
Overview
In general, when the Ten of Swords appears in the yes/no question such as whether you can believe in someone’s words or whether a situation will be good, the answer is definitely no. However, keep in mind that whenever a door closes, another will open. The message of the card is also a guideline for you to enhance in a better way. Believe in yourself and the Universe.
Work
The appearance of this card may imply that your job situation is about to end. It is best to try to organize everything smoothly and think thoroughly about what you will do if you really lose your job, for any reason. You may have been treated badly by someone. Do not waste your time and effort to get revenge. Instead, you should prepare for the next phase of your life. If you are looking for a job, maybe you will not get a potential job position that you are expecting. Even so, try your best and do not give up.
Love
In terms of love, unfortunately, the Ten of Swords is not a good sign. Something is not right in your relationship. You should ask questions to yourself, accept reality, and do not close your eyes to the truth. You cannot force someone to love you or treat you respectfully if he/she does not want to. If you have just met someone recently (and you are looking for love), continue to consider and wonder. Everything might not be what it seems.
Finance
In terms of money, you may be facing frustration. This is not the time to take the risk but you can consider buying stocks. If the money situation is trending downwards or someone you trust has not kept her/his words, then be careful not to hurt yourself. Try to think logically and wisely.
Health
Ten of Swords implies that your health may not as good as you wished. Be careful with what your physician says and the healing method you follow. Do not hesitate to use the healing options you can think of, the spiritual energy, the Universe, the ancestors, the higher power, God, or whatever you can associate with. There are things we cannot see with the normal eyes and miracles still happen every day. However, you have to make sure that you are doing what is needed. What can you do now to help your health better? Consider adding alternative healing methods.
Mentality
After all, you can maintain a spiritual belief that you have consistently followed in ever. However, you have to be careful to put your trust in the moral leaders who seem very concerned about your rights and interests, but it turns out, they just want to fill their pockets. You are breaking through the past. This is actually a good thing, although it can be a bit painful.
Situation and advice
You are going down. Your plans were not successful. You have reached the outside limit. A situation or relationship that is coming to an end and cannot be changed makes you feel like standing on the threshold of depression because of the loss. You have done all the things you can and now it is the time you need to make a definite change or you must endure the consequences. This ending occurs at the same time as the feeling of loss and deep sadness. You may be feeling about ending a relationship.
The change is imposed on you and you cannot fight for yourself in this situation. Loss can be related to legal or professional issues, a serious illness or separation from important people in your life. Do you feel so depressed that you need assistance in terms of expertise? An event has passed that may still worry you. You cannot do anything to save the past. Remember that Sorin Cerin once said, “The dawn of beauty always comes after night”.
You need to let go of the declining situation or false beliefs to open the way to the future. Like the Tower card of the Major set, the Ten of Swords can mean a clear perception and dispelling false beliefs. Sometimes, this card hints of movement (particularly by the waterway) which is related to separation.
Human
People who are going down, people who suffer a major loss, people who are seriously ill, people who are in danger.
V. 10 of Swords Reversed Keywords
recovery, rebirth, fear of bankruptcy, the inevitable end
Words and Keywords
(+) Change for the better, improve, the problem has
subsided, end a cycle, a new beginning, rise from a hardship, survive a
catastrophic situation, power of prayer, accept the help of others, turn to a
higher power to get help, near-death experience, overturn the danger situation
and survive, the light at the end of the tunnel, news of death or dying,
obituaries, return from the dead, the worst is over, a blessing in disguise
(-) The major change, the persistent problems, the fatal disease, difficulties
in the past reappear, the disturbance, the death, the worst is yet to come.
Introduce
The Ten of Swords reversed implies that finally, you may have achieved a balanced and clear view of your life and the circumstances involved. Go step by step, and believe in yourself.
Overview
You may have overcome a very difficult time when this reversed card appears, and in fact, the worst may have ended. You have come up with some solutions and plans to improve your situation and that is good news. However, you need to make sure that you do not make the same mistakes and see your own role in the problem.
Work
Ten of Swords reversed may imply that there are serious problems in your workplace. This is not something that makes you think like the end of the world (or leads to the prospect of ending your career at the current company), however, ignoring these problems will not make them disappear. You can finally see what is best for you and feel your thoughts become clearer. At this point, you should take some time to decide on the next steps to see whether maintaining your current job position is the best option or not. If you are looking for a job, you may be looking in the wrong direction. Think carefully.
Love
You may have done the necessary things to improve your relationship when this card appears. That is good new. However, you may still need to progress more if you want this relationship to last and grow. Remember that a relationship is created by two people, any trouble or problem is not entirely the fault of one side. If you are looking for love, you may be thinking that you are ready for a long-term commitment (first comes love, then comes marriage) while in fact, it is still too early for you. Let’s think a little deeper. You do not need to meet all social standards unless they really fit you.
Finance
The Ten of Swords may be a sign that you have taken some important constructively steps to improve your finances. This is a good thing. However, you need to be careful not to return to bad habits. You are on the right track, keep hanging there.
Health
You are working on or thinking about implementing a certain method to improve your health. You should live in the present, not the past or the future and go step by step. If you are in need of healing, allow yourself to believe that you deserve to have better health and spirit. Ask for help when you need it.
Mentality
The reversed Ten of Swords may imply that you have finally overcome some pain in the past. Now, it is the time to look ahead. How would you like to see your life after a year or five years from today? Remember that in spiritual communities, people come and leave like many other communities. Change is normal. Do not let things like this become too serious.
Situation and advice
You can get news about death or an incurable disease. Praying or seeking higher power can help to alleviate your pain. You are recovering from a stage of emotional chaos, suffering, and sorrow. The worst is over and your troubles are starting to be solved. Valuable things that will come from your recent pain. The improvement is still ahead. You or your loved one have the ability to overcome a dangerous situation.
Human
The survivors, people who endured in a persistent way, people with a life-threatening situation, people who have a near-death experience.
One of the meanings of Ten of Swords is “touch the bottom”. When we see it in a spread, the disaster has finally happened and what you can expect right now is that the situation will become better.
