The Ten of Swords represents the culmination of a long struggle and suffering, and symbolizes endings and letting go. Often, after a long period of pain and anguish, there comes a time of self-reflection and an acceptance of what has happened. This card tells us that even if the struggle is still painful and fresh, it is the right thing to do. The sword stabbed into the heart of a person on the Ten of Swords has not magically appeared out of nowhere – he must have hurt his partner, children, family, friends, and loved ones. But this is a sacrifice that the person must make to become free of the pain.
When you draw the Ten of Swords in a reading, it is indicating that you have felt the impact of a terrible conflict, and you are ready to leave it behind and move to a new place. The sword in this card is still embedded in the person’s back from the battle which resulted in his death. You can already see that despite the physical pain, the person is beginning to let go. There is also a feeling of grief and sadness as the pain from the battle is still fresh.
Characteristics of Ten of Swords Upright
Positive: new life, renewal, healing, deliverance, new beginnings, triumph, overcoming obstacles, forgiveness, release from pain, healing from past pain, new relationship, divorce, making peace with finances, taking responsibility for financial losses, taking responsibility for health matters, healing from physical illness, healing from emotional wounds, learning lessons, getting away from bad social circles.
Negative: destruction, despair, end, brokenness, heartbreak, loss, ruin, ending, dead, upside down, breakdown, a collapse of, exhaustion, unable to cope, ruin, helpless, weak.
Description and Symbolism of Ten of Swords
Planet Mars rules The Ten of Swords. Mars is one of the main energy centers and a planet that rules our patience and sexuality. Mars, the red (passionate) planet, is the planet of action, energy, passion, desire, and survival instinct. Being the God of War, Mars is connected to aggression, confrontation, strength, ambition and impulsiveness. Mars is the ruler of competition and athletes, and everything physical.
The Ten of Swords belong to the first air zodiac sign Gemini, which are typically very sociable and energetic, playful and intellectually curious. But this card is all but that. A person is head down on the ground. He is dead, no doubt about it. Or is it? He is making something that appears as a kind of a hand gesture of blessing, like Hierophant, which can only be made with active hand muscles. So, maybe this whole event is not that devastating after. Maybe this whole scene is some sort of a a blessing and a beginning to a new life. But how can this be? There are ten swords pierced through his body, paradoxically even through his ear (is this really necessary), and blood (or what seems to be a red cloth) is flowing from his wounds. A devastating scene. It is not likely that it can get any worse than this. Or does the scene only seems to be soooo disastrous and catastrophic? Is it only our perception?
After all, number 10, belonging to the Ten of Swords, is the number of fresh and new beginnings. Something good must come out of this. A new cycle will begin and you will finally find your own destiny and purpose. In general, we connect number 10 with higher purpose, higher self, inner peace, inner wisdom, and positive changes. Therefore, yes, there is some kind of serenity to the situation. The sea is calm and tranquil, no big waves. Darkness and night are moving away and giving more space to the dawn and sun. Can you feel at least a bit of hope on the horizon? The dawn on the card reminds us of the dawn that appears on the Death card – new possibilities and new beginnings are waiting for us. Something must die for something new to be born. The circle of life. The mountains in the distance illustrate that a long journey has come to an end and the time has come to start something new.
General Meaning of Ten of Swords
Ten of Swords card describes a person who feels stuck in something, unable to move forward and end the situation that no longer serves his/hers needs. Ten of swords shows up when the Seeker has decided to end the suffering by taking responsibility for his actions and consequences. Ten of swords shows up when the Seeker has accepted his/hers reality and is ready to move on. The time has come to face the truth.
Ten of swords as a person indicates someone who feels beaten up, used and abused by circumstances, and they cannot see an end to this situation that is destroying them. This is a person who suffers the consequences of their actions and cannot be saved from his/her own life. Ten of swords people are very sensitive and fragile and they try to blame everybody else but themselves for what has happened. They end up being very unpleasant and bitter people, and their only desire is to get revenge on others. Sometimes Ten of swords shows up when the Seeker is trying to escape responsibility.
Ten of swords as a personality type is someone who desperately needs to get away from the world.
In a general Tarot reading Ten of Swords card is all about conflict, which is unavoidable. To face conflicts in a good way, there is a need to have clarity in mind. The question is: what is the best way to deal with this conflict? Many a times we fail to see the positive end of the conflict and fail to have a positive outcome. Sometimes people try to avoid the conflict and do not let people know about it in an open way. This is a difficult way to handle.
Ten of Swords indicates that the things that you have been experiencing for a long time, may not turn out as you wish them to be. Maybe a relationship is ending, a job is not working and things are not going the way you wanted them to. You should realize that the conflict can be a positive thing if it will help you get rid of the old and make things fresh and new again. Ten of Swords shows you how you can avoid the worst scenario in the conflict, but no one can really predict what happens next. One can only hope for the best and do all they can in the best way possible.
You have fought a significant battle as well as succeeded, if you’ve pulled Ten of Swords card in a positive position that describes advantage or strength in a general Tarot reading. You have survived a tremendous struggle. To see the Ten of Swords upright is to say that you have achieved a personal goal that has been particularly hard to endure. In the end, you were able to reach your final destination.
Now is a wonderful time to rest and take care of yourself. The Ten of Swords has a positive message: “I have survived despite all efforts to conquer, defeat, and lose me.” This card in the Minor Arcana is a message that you have done more than you ever thought possible. You have finally arrived at the conclusion that you cannot take on any more negativity by battling and fighting with the sword. Your battle has been fought and lost, and you are now ready to take a break and rest, to accept things as they are for now. You can only overcome these situations by accepting them and the lessons they have taught you. You do not need to waste your time or energy on any more battles. You have had enough.
Ten of Swords card in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position calls you to look at your situation with a fresh perspective and take a new, more honest, and clearer view. Although this card can represent sadness, despair, and grief, it can also show the positive side of facing an obstacle, letting it go, and moving on. When we are faced with obstacles, we can either have a hard time letting go and moving on or we can give up and never move forward. The Ten of Swords encourages us to do the latter, just as this woman does here.
The Ten of Swords in the upright position is the card of letting go. Just as the woman does, you may be ready to let go of something that was destroying you. You may have been in a fight with your loved one for a long time, or you may have invested a lot of time, energy and resources in a project that has failed you. Or, alternatively, there may be a friend or colleague that has betrayed you and you are giving them a piece of your mind. This is the time to move on.
Ten of Swords in the Context of Love and Relationships
In a love and relationships Tarot reading Ten of Swords card describes a relationship in which both partners are suffering from sickness. The relationship has become cold, and communication has completely stopped. If one of the partners is not recovering from past wounds, this card shows up and describes a relationship that is being completely destroyed.
The 10 of Swords tarot love meaning describes a relationship with an old ailment. Ten of swords is not a good omen when it comes to love because it may suggest that you might face a relapse in your love life. There is a possibility that you might feel all the symptoms of the past ailment again on your side. Ten of swords tarot card signifies that despite the sadness, you will learn that you are not the only person who has been suffering from the ailment, and you are not the only person who has recovered from it either.
Ten of Swords in the Context of Career
If you’ve pulled Ten of Swords after asking your deck about career questions, it is because you have been hurt at work. The Ten of Swords often appears when someone has inflicted suffering on you due to a lack of concern. This can take many forms, but there is a strong lesson to take home: don’t let someone or something make you feel bad about yourself. If you look hard enough, you will find someone or something who is responsible for the pain that you feel. Accept responsibility for your feelings, and take comfort knowing that you will make it through this chapter of your life. If it helps, consider taking a trip away (vacation, a friend’s place) to get your head straight.
Ten of Swords in the Context of Finances
You may have already suffered a significant loss, if you’ve pulled Ten of Swords in reading about your finances. If your investments or property are gone, there isn’t much you can do to fix this. Just remember, you shouldn’t have been reckless or careless with your money. It’s time to learn your lesson. Regardless of the fact that you are hurting, this also serves as a reminder to you to take care of your finances and be careful in making the most important money decisions you can. If you cannot afford to lose any more money, make sure to be more conservative on other aspects of your life too.
Ten of Swords in the Context of Health
Ten of Swords Tarot card shows that you will get through this time but you have to put all your attention on yourself. If you have questions about health, take care of your health and try to take good care of yourself as much as possible.
Ten of Swords Card Through Spirituality and Self-Development
Ten of Swords calls you to release the past and move forward. You have experienced deep pain and sorrow, and now you are ready to release it all and create a new life. You’re taking your power back again and saying NO to what was once your life. You’ll need to let go of the pain to be able to re-enter the world and participate with new vigor.
In a spirituality and self-development Tarot reading, The Ten of Swords (Upright) often appears when you have lost your position in the world. Someone or something has inflicted you with deep emotional pain, and you feel as if there is nothing left for you. You have been stripped of your power and given no choice but to accept your loss. It is time to release the pain and move on. You will need to leave the old life behind, but it will take some time and healing before you can re-enter the world.
Is Ten of Swords Yes or No Card?
When you’re asking Tarot yes or no question, and you’ve pulled Ten of Swords, then this card means a clear no. This card represents lingering regret and a loss of will power. It does indicate that you have suffered a major setback that you’ll need to recover from, but for now, it is better to leave things where they are for now and avoid moving ahead.
Ten of Swords as a Person
If you’ve pulled Ten of Swords as a person, a card describes a person who is ready to bury her mistakes to start her life over again. She understands that the past no longer serves her and is ready to start anew. It’s up to you whether you’ll accept her help or reject it.
The Ten of Swords stands for endings, endings that are connected to the past. Ten of swords also represents misery or grief. If this card shows up in an upright position, it means that you have reached the end. It is time to let go as you are prepared to start your life over again, without the baggage of the past. Ten of swords often shows up when a person is ready to admit that they have a problem they can’t fix alone, and they need help from others. This is a card of release, a time where pain subsides, and in time, joy and happiness replace the old.
The Ten of Swords indicates that you are nearing the end of a difficult situation. The conflict and pain has reached a point where you are weary of the battle.
When you draw Ten of Swords and you want to know more about emotional description of a card as a person, what picture does it draw in your mind? How can Ten of Swords be interpreted as a personality type? Ten of Swords tarot card represents deep and painful emotions. Sometimes this card shows up when the seeker has been stabbed in the heart by someone she or he trusted deeply. In other cases, it shows up when the seeker is dealing with loss and/or devastation without ever wanting to let go. Ten of swords often shows up in a Tarot reading when the Seeker is depressed and/or feels suicidal. Ten of swords represents a situation when the Seeker must face the depths of their being, whether it is pain, sorrow, rejection, and/or devastation, and how strong they are despite the circumstances. This is a card that is hard to see through, even for someone who knows the seeker very well. Ten of swords shows up in a reading as a reminder that we all face darkness, and we all feel pain.
Ten of Swords as a Feeling
This card indicates that you are going through a painful life transition that is causing you pain and suffering. If you’ve pulled Ten of Swords as a feeling, you might be experiencing a relationship breakdown, a work loss, or any other type of hurt that is leaving you feeling as if you have just lost your best friend. Though this event was a shock to your system, you are learning how to deal with this, as it has revealed to you who you are truly meant to be.
The Ten of Swords indicates that you have felt the effects of failure before, and this time is no different. There is no way to avoid this suffering; the only way to live life fully is to take the risks, as they will either work or ruin you. You may feel as if you have done all you can, and the only option left for you is to run away and not look back.
However, if this card appears, try to remember that the Ten of Swords is not meant to be a sign of defeat. Instead, this is a sign of realization, of putting defeat soon behind you.
What Is Ten of Swords Card as a Positive Card, Strength, and Advantage?
Ten of Swords symbolizes overcoming difficult circumstances when it appears in a positive Tarot position, or as strength and advantage. Your confidence right now must be rock-solid and unshakable. You’re prepared to take a stand for yourself and ensure that what is yours, is your own. You know you can be independent, and you are taking advantage of this knowledge.
The Ten of Swords in a reading may also be advising you to accept defeat. You are being forced to accept that your situation can’t be changed. It’s a terrible feeling to feel as though you’ve fought valiantly, but have been crushed under a heavy weight. There is simply nothing you can do to stop the force that is bearing down on you.
The Ten of Swords indicates that you are fighting against the inevitable and that you will likely fail. The good news? You have come to the end of your rope. You have invested all you can and now you understand that there is nothing left to fight for. It is better to close the door and move on.
Ten of Swords as an Obstacle
Ten of Swords card calls you to look at a situation from a positive perspective, when pulled in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position. Like the ten swords, you have managed to destroy the ten swords. With grace and courage, you have freed yourself from the pain you were in.
The Ten of Swords in obstacle or negative position represents healing and coming out on the other side. You are in the process of getting over a big loss, letting go of the past, and recovering emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You also learn to deal with the consequences of your decisions and to live with the consequences of your actions. The upside of loss and pain is that through overcoming them, you become a better person. You may have had to learn the hard way, but what you have gained from this experience is priceless.
When the Ten of Swords appears in a reading, it is usually a sign that you have come down from the high you were on and are finally ready to start living your lives again. Maybe you are not aware of that yet, but the realization is just around the corner. You have been so occupied with sadness that you have forgotten how to enjoy life and the world around you.
Ten of Swords Card as a Future Outcome
Ten of Swords card in a future outcome Tarot spread position tells you that you are on the verge of failure and the end of a bad situation. Ten of swords indicate that you are ready to face the harsh reality of your situation. If you have struggled and fought hard for your position and now people are doubting your capabilities, this card is a signal that now is the right time for you to give up. If you want to move forward, you must give up your old life and habits. Let go of what you have done in the past and start a new one. If you continue down this path, the darkness will make it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you’re still feeling strong, prepare for the worst. You will need to fight, but soon you will reach a final end. A lot of your time spent fighting, crying, and suffering will be for nothing and you must prepare yourself for it. Although you can feel that you have given everything you have, this person will soon be gone. You must prepare yourself for it now.
Drawing Ten of Swords in the future position also suggests that you may need to face recent problems because you will still be dealing with the grief and pain from these issues. Ten of Swords can mean that you still have a lot of emotional energy and experience intense feelings of sadness and despair following a significant tragedy. A great way to dissipate those emotions is to bury them deep within you and take action. This Minor Arcana card is a stark reminder that we must learn to accept things that we cannot change. If you have passed through a breakup or another significant separation, the Ten of Swords is a card of mourning, regret, and bitterness. It can also represent a particularly dark night of the soul.
In a reading where Ten of Swords appears in the upright position, you may be unable to escape from your past and your regrets over the mistakes you’ve made in your life. The Ten of Swords may indicate that you are finding it difficult to let go and accept the conclusion of a personal conflict or relationship, and you may wish for it to continue. If that’s the case, you should try to let go of your attachments to keep moving forward.
Ten of Swords Card as a Prediction of When an Event Will Occur
Ten of Swords card in the reading signals that there is a possibility of unexpected things happening, especially if your question is when will something happen. But if you take the initiative, you will change the course of events. Ten of Swords indicates that someone close to you might go through a difficult time. If it is you, prepare yourself for an unexpected issue. In the worst case, it can even be because of someone you know. If so, be prepared for a fight. Remember that this situation is temporary and you will overcome it. You should always stand for the truth and justice, no matter how painful it may be. This makes the difference for a good cause.
Ten of Swords tarot card denotes deep anger and resentment the seeker is holding towards others who have wronged them in the past.