Immediately triggered! The first thing that came to mind was, ‘What now?!?!?’. I mean, just look at the imagery on the card. What about this looks positive? A woman on the ground with ten swords in her back is hardly a sign of good things to come. Here I am looking for the Tarot to bring confirmation that things are looking up for all of us, but perhaps most importantly, for me, and yet here we are. Seemingly staring down the barrel of hopelessness, despair, and ruin.

In previous posts, I’ve shared my feelings about being at a crossroads with regards to my career, being in the void when it comes to manifesting my dream life of being a freelance writer and mindset coach, and navigating the early rocky waters of entrepreneurship. But what I haven’t shared with you all is just how deeply this has impacted me. I’ve been grappling with feelings of defeat, uncertainty, and hopelessness on a daily basis.

I am a control freak, and I’d laid meticulous plans for how things were supposed to go with navigating all of these things. Now, I’m having to accept that all of my planning didn’t manifest the way I wanted it to because I am not the master of the universe and things rarely go according to plan.

So, when this beauty came out, I almost put it back and pulled another one because I just didn’t want to deal with it today. Partly because I feel like I have been more vulnerable and vocal about the things that I have been wrestling with than I’m used to, and partly because I was worried about appearing overly pessimistic.

But! Instead of throwing this card back into the sea of 78 tarot cards and drawing a new one, I’ve decided that I’m going to lean into the Ten of Swords and deliver the message it’s begging me to own. Who knows, maybe it’ll help you too. So let’s get into it. Ladies and gentlemen, the Ten of Swords.

What’s the Meaning of this?

The reason this card incited me to near avoidance today is because it typically represents ruin, the final blow, being stabbed in the back, final endings, moments of crisis, and feelings of defeat. Who in the world needs or wants to see something like this, especially when you already know that you’re grappling with the negative feelings that come with being in the void? I know I certainly didn’t need this today. But I digress.

Even though this card is a harbinger of bad news, it still brings a message of hope, faith, and renewal. The imagery of this card is intense with the ten swords standing in the back of a woman who is seemingly defeated, but there is a ray of light peaking in from the rising sun behind her. This brings to mind the saying that it’s darkest before dawn. The sun rising behind the fallen heroine represents the rebirth and renewal process. So, although this card brings messages of despair, hardship, and final endings, it also represents the dawn of a new beginning.

Love

Navigating a breakup is incredibly painful. The Ten of Swords, in this context, signifies the completion of a chapter, even if it feels like a devastating blow. It’s a powerful message that it’s time to accept this loss and begin the process of healing.

This can be a time of profound personal growth. You may discover a newfound sense of independence, allowing you to focus on your own needs and desires. This could be the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, leading to a more fulfilling and authentic life. While romance may not be the immediate focus, the possibility of a new, healthier relationship in the future is not out of the question.

Remember, the Ten of Swords, while challenging, often precedes a period of renewal and growth. It’s a time to acknowledge the pain, grieve the loss, and trust that brighter days lie ahead.

Finances

The Ten of Swords appearing when you’re facing financial challenges can be incredibly daunting. You’re likely acutely aware of dwindling funds and the uncertainty of your income. Feelings of hopelessness and despair may be overwhelming, leaving you feeling trapped in a seemingly inescapable financial predicament.

This card urges you to thoroughly assess your current financial situation. Identify areas where you can cut back on unnecessary expenses. If your investments haven’t yielded the expected returns, it might be time to reassess your strategy and consider alternative avenues.

While new financial opportunities will undoubtedly arise, this card doesn’t necessarily predict an immediate influx of wealth. It’s a time to focus on rebuilding your financial foundation on a more sustainable basis. This period of financial hardship can be an opportunity for introspection and a chance to learn valuable lessons that will prevent similar situations in the future.

Career

If your issue is your career or career opportunities, you guessed it, it’s time to redirect your focus! If you’re anything like me, you’ve applied to every job, chased every lead, entertained every opportunity and you’re still drawing blanks. You’re probably feeling the burn of hitting rock bottom, and while it sucks, the Ten of Swords reminds us that this situation, though painful, signifies the end of a particular cycle.

Your individual lesson is up to you to identify. For me, the lesson was about letting go of control and learning to go with the flow. Being in this place has shown me who my friends are, it has tested the strength of my relationship, and it has forced me into a period of having no choice but to focus on myself and build my business. If given any other choice, I would have bailed on myself and my dream by taking the easy way out and returned to traditional employment.

While it is tough sitting in this spot of uncertainty, it has helped and is still helping me to grow. This period of enforced introspection has been a catalyst for personal and professional growth, much like the Ten of Swords often precedes a period of renewal.

The Ten of Swords is as much about endings as it is about acceptance of the situation. For now, you can accept that things may not be going as planned with your career search and choose to focus on things that you can control, such as growing your business if you’re running one, learning new skills, searching for volunteer and networking opportunities to build your contacts, and anything else that gets your mind focused on finding solutions. New opportunities will emerge, but again, this card doesn’t bring them in quickly.

Final Thoughts

Would you look at that? It wasn’t that bad, was it? We’ve explored some challenging topics today, and the Ten of Swords certainly brought up some difficult emotions. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, defeated, and even hopeless when faced with such a challenging card. But remember, even in the darkest of times, there’s always a glimmer of hope. This card, while challenging, reminds us that even in the face of ruin, there’s a chance for renewal and growth.

I encourage you to take some time for self-reflection. Ask yourself:

• What areas of my life feel “stuck” or stagnant right now?
• Where am I holding onto beliefs or patterns that are no longer serving me?
• What can I release or let go of that is preventing me from moving forward?
• What small steps can I take today to begin the process of healing and rebuilding?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you ever drawn the Ten of Swords? How did you interpret its message? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s support each other on this journey of growth and transformation.