The Ten of Swords Tarot Card Meaning
Ten swords are almost uniformly pointing downward, and have already been plunged into a person's body.
This figure is lying face down, his face turned away from us, so we cannot see his expression.
If we observe carefully, we will find that the ten swords are all inserted into the spine, arranged quite neatly, and the places where they are inserted are all vital spots.
The ten swords are vertically inserted into this person, accurately inflicting fatal injuries, starting from the head. The topmost sword is inserted from the ear, and the bottommost sword is inserted in the genital area.
Even if life survives, it is difficult for each part to heal, this is a cruel and destructive card. Everything may be destroyed, and there is no way back.
The protagonist is under attack and being pursued, he is on the riverbank about to cross the river, but he is too late to leave and is ambushed and falls to the ground. He lies in a pool of blood, covered with a red cloth symbolizing the state of bleeding, because if blood is really painted, it would be too bloody and terrifying.
Lying on the ground, he has a strange gesture, his right hand is bent downwards, making the gesture of the holy church (the same as the Pope card), even before death, he still holds on to his faith, does not forget the existence of God, and can ascend to heaven after death.
The river is calm and clear, originally it could have been safely crossed, but it is a pity. The background is bleak, the entire sky is almost gloomy and dark, with dark clouds covering the sky. There is a blue mountain range on the other side, which was originally the quiet place in the heart. Further on the horizon, there is a yellow light, indicating a faint possible hope for redemption.
The Fallen Man
In the Ten of Swords, one sees a man lying face down, with ten swords plunged into his back. This tragic imagery speaks to a severe mental or emotional defeat. The man represents the querent or individual experiencing an ending or significant loss, often of their own making.
The Swords
The ten swords that have struck the fallen man stand for the culmination of a mental or intellectual cycle, often manifested as a devastating realization or betrayal. Swords always belong to the realm of thought and communication. The number ten indicates the completion or finality of this period.
The Sky
The dark sky in the card is laden with sorrow and heavy with despair, further emphasizing the bleakness of the situation. Yet, the horizon shows a glimmer of light. This tiny spark symbolizes hope and new beginnings, suggesting that the darkest hour is just before the dawn.
The Ground
The barren land upon which the man lies emphasizes the emptiness and void left by the betrayal or downfall. Yet it is also a blank slate, offering a subtle hint that new beginnings are indeed possible.
The Tattered Red Cloak
The man wears a red cloak which is now tattered, symbolizing the energy and passion that have been drained out of him. Red, as the color of life-force and will, being torn and devastated, brings our attention to the profound impact of the situation on the individual’s spirit and vitality.
Keywords
Completion, Betrayal, Loss, Finality, Transformation
General Overview
The Ten of Swords represents the apex of intellectual and communicative challenges, often depicted as the depths of despair or defeat. The card shows a man lying face down with ten swords plunged into his back, which suggests betrayal, backstabbing, or being “stabbed in the back” by someone or something. However, it is important to note that the darkest hour is just before dawn. The sun on the horizon in the background of the card implies that a new day will break, bringing new opportunities and a fresh start.
Although the scene appears grim, it is the culmination of a series of events or thoughts that have led to this point. It is a card that implies that things have reached their lowest point and will soon turn around. The important thing to remember is that the situation is final, offering a form of closure that allows for new beginnings.
The Ten of Swords often comes up in readings when one feels betrayed or defeated, but it serves as a reminder that this is a phase, a necessary ending that makes space for something new to enter your life. The wisdom of the card lies in accepting the end with grace, so that one may rise again with renewed purpose.
Work
Work Situation
This is a very painful and tormenting job for you, where your performance is poor, you feel unhappy, and it can even affect your physical health.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
This situation is beyond saving, or you might have to fight to the death to find a way out, but be prepared to end it at any time.
Workplace Relationships
You feel lonely in this job, with no one to help or share your pain, and you have to bear everything silently on your own.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss is extremely ruthless, sending you into battle without any training, and not offering any support when problems arise, leaving you to rely on yourself.
Job Prospects
Significant changes are imminent in this job, and the company itself may go bankrupt or change hands. Staying here means taking on these risks.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It's hard to find a good new job now. You should focus on taking care of your health and wait until you're in better condition before seeking new opportunities.
Love
Love Situation
The relationship is filled with pain and is a terrible torment for you. You wish to leave this relationship quickly but feel powerless.
Possibility of New Romance
It's impossible to start a new romance now. Even if someone catches your eye, it will only be a painful unrequited love. It's best not to engage in relationships at this time.
View on This Relationship
This relationship has reached its most painful stage and could collapse at any moment. There's no warmth when you're together, making it better to be alone.
Sexual Attraction
There's little sexual attraction between you two, and your sex life is filled with anger, bringing more sadness rather than joy.
How to Resolve Arguments
Your relationship has hit rock bottom. If one party shows goodwill, the arguments could improve. It can't get any worse than this.
Possibility of a Breakup
If you feel it's too hard to continue, then break up directly. At this time, you must stand firm and not give the other party any chance to defend themselves.
Possibility of Reconciliation
After such great harm, it's basically impossible to reconcile. Don't go back to that terrible relationship; it would be unfair to you.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You don't have many friends now and often feel lonely. You often feel burdened by friends and sometimes they even cause harm.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this time, sacrifice and tolerance are the only ways. Fairness and justice are unattainable. If you can't do it, this relationship may break.
Family
Family Situation
Sad and heartbreaking events have occurred at home. It may not be a situation you can handle alone. Care and companionship are more valuable than a thousand words.
Relationship with Elders
You feel powerless in your relationship with elders because they've done too many things that hurt you and made you sad, but you feel helpless.
Relationship with Peers
Your relationship with peers has hit an all-time low. There's no affection between you, and you don't want to contact each other. It feels better not to have this person around.
Relationship with Juniors
You often don't have time to spend with juniors and don't understand what they're thinking. You feel powerless in their upbringing, and there's little affection between you.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your performance in academics can only be described as a complete failure. Almost no part is satisfactory. If you don't work hard, of course, there will be no results.
Learning Methods
You should completely abandon your past learning methods in academics, review, and start over. Without the determination to work hard, success is impossible.
Relationship with Teachers
The pressure from teachers has made it hard for you to breathe and makes you want to give up. If you can't transfer, try to communicate with them through parents.
Relationship with Classmates
You are a relatively lonely person among classmates and don't like socializing. If you can open up, you may make great new friends.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your financial situation is riddled with holes and could collapse at any time. You're just delaying the inevitable, and declaring bankruptcy is also an option.
Investment Situation
Your investment fortune is extremely poor now. Any investment won't make a profit, and previous investments will plummet, leading to a total loss.
Purchasing Strategy
It's not suitable to make any purchases at this time. It's more practical to save money. If you have to make a purchase, be careful about consumer disputes.
Keywords
Recovery, Resilience, Turning Point, Avoiding Disaster, Rising from the Ashes
General Overview
When the Ten of Swords appears reversed, it signifies a potential turning point or recovery from a challenging situation that seemed initially devastating. The card still retains its sense of drama but hints at avoiding the worst outcomes or mitigating the severity of the situation. This is a card that emphasizes resilience and an opportunity to rise again, perhaps stronger than before.
The card suggests that while you may have been down, you are not out. There’s a resilience to the reversed Ten of Swords, an implication that you’ve survived the worst and are on your way to recovery. This is not a complete escape from trouble but rather a second chance or a light at the end of the tunnel.
Alternatively, the reversed Ten of Swords can imply that you are resisting an inevitable end, prolonging suffering unnecessarily. The card advises acceptance of the situation and taking steps to move forward.
Work
Work Situation
This job offers little room for you to shine, and any apparent improvement is merely a fleeting illusion. Temporary gains do not equate to true success.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
A significant shift is imminent for this matter. Surrendering now would be a pity. If you can seize the opportunity to turn the crisis into a turning point, you might be able to withdraw unscathed.
Workplace Relationships
It's unlikely that you'll make any good friends in this job, and everyone seems to avoid you. You should get used to working quietly on your own.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss's position may be facing a major challenge, and they could be ousted at any moment. So, focus on doing your job well to avoid being dragged down by them.
Job Prospects
This job has no prospects for development. Even if it looks good in the short term, it won't be a long-term beneficial situation. You should look for opportunities to leave this place as soon as possible.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
The job you find now will definitely be very different from your previous one, perhaps even in a field you're completely unfamiliar with, so it will take a lot of time to gradually adapt to the new situation.
Love
Love Situation
You are not happy in this relationship and feel unsatisfied with the status quo. However, making drastic changes proactively could bring greater pain to both parties.
Possibility of New Romance
No good new partners will appear now. Even if someone seems good on the surface, it's not likely. You should patiently wait for better opportunities instead of rushing into action now.
View on This Relationship
This relationship brings more pain than joy, and it seems the other party is also powerless. It might be better to end the relationship quickly to reduce the damage rather than maintaining a nominal connection.
Sexual Attraction
There is little sexual attraction in this relationship. The attempts at a sexual life are often filled with frustration, with little pleasure to be found.
How to Resolve Arguments
Most of the arguments between the two of you are caused by you. If you change your all-or-nothing extreme thinking, the relationship might gradually move towards reconciliation.
Possibility of a Breakup
Breaking up now will definitely cause pain, but it's better to have a short-term pain than a long-term one. At this point, you should take the initiative to propose the breakup, although cruel, it is the best solution.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship may still have the possibility of reconciliation, but it will cause greater harm. If you truly consider the well-being of both parties, it's better to be apart and happier.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You often hurt others in interpersonal relationships, so no one wants to be your friend. If you don't change your behavior, this situation will continue.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this point, any explanation is useless. Let things happen naturally. You should patiently wait, and there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Family
Family Situation
There has been a significant change in the family now. Self-preservation is the most important thing at this time. If you can stabilize your own situation first, you will be able to help others.
Relationship with Elders
You often do things that make elders sad, even causing them significant harm. If you can't make up your mind to change, the relationship cannot be mended.
Relationship with Peers
You are a more dominant one among your peers, but this causes others to react negatively. Sometimes it seems like you're taking advantage of others, but in fact, you're the one at a disadvantage.
Relationship with Juniors
You often feel that your education of juniors is a failure. No matter how hard you try, you can't teach them well, and they often do rebellious things, leaving you exhausted.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your performance in academics is not satisfactory to everyone. Although you think the problem is not serious, the extent of your lag is far beyond your own imagination.
Learning Methods
You should study wholeheartedly at this time, without being blinded by short-term success. There are greater challenges ahead, so don't celebrate too soon.
Relationship with Teachers
Because your performance always disappoints your teachers, they almost want to give up on you. If you don't make an effort to cheer up, you will have to fend for yourself from now on.
Relationship with Classmates
Your relationship with classmates is extremely poor, and you often hurt others, intentionally or unintentionally. If you don't change your behavior, you will have fewer and fewer friends.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your financial situation is outwardly strong but inwardly weak. It's actually very dangerous, and you might even drag others down. At this time, you should quickly recognize your own situation.
Investment Situation
Your investment situation is not good. Even if it seems to be improving on the surface, it won't reach the goal of profit, so you should end it quickly while you still can.
Purchasing Strategy
You are not suitable for making any purchases at this time, and you might even get involved in troublesome consumer disputes. So it's safer not to spend money recklessly.