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 a little excessive.... maybe this gentleman's suffering is exaggerated as well.
One meaning of the Ten of Swords is hitting rock bottom. When one disaster or disappointment follows another, we feel devastated at first but eventually we throw up our hands and laugh. "What else could possibly go wrong?" we say as we could possibly expect a bucket of water to fall on our 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. When we're in victim mentality, we think everything is horrible, hopeless and impossibly unfair and must pull ourselves together and walk it off.
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.
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. When you see the Ten of Swords, check your attitude and know you've reached the point where things will definitely begin to look up.
1 comment:
I enjoyed this post -- thanks for your insights! When I first learned to read tarot on the Motherpeace deck, the 10 of Swords was nicknamed the "Thelma and Louise card!"
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