Ten of Swords

Key meanings (Upright): Backstabbing, treachery, enmity, complaining, badmouthing, resentment, laziness, failure, disaster, breakdown, weariness, inability to cope, rock bottom, hitting a wall, dead end, breaking links, farewell

Key meaning (Reversed): Surviving tragedies, being saved, things getting better, avoiding ruin, pulling yourself together, learning from past adversity, worries coming true, being beyond help, rising beyond issues

Ten of Swords tarot card description

The Ten of Swords depicts a man lying flat on the ground with his face toward the dirt, making it one of the most arresting and foreboding cards on the deck. From his chest to his legs, he is draped in a scarlet robe. He may not have anticipated this fate when ten long swords were thrust into his back. The sky above him is black and overcast, representing the fear and pessimism connected with death, and there is a terrible silence in the air.

This card's unsettling stillness and finality are heightened by the quiet, waveless waters in front of him. The sun is rising in the east, and despite the darkness, the weather appears to be relatively calm. According to the Ten of Swords, one's life has reached its lowest point and cannot get any worse. The sun is rising at least in this situation. The light is rising on the horizon, bringing with it a renewed sense of optimism and potential despite the foreboding gloomy sky. Another consoling element is the serene sea in the distance.

It conveys the idea that even in the depths of despair, there may be tranquillity and peace. The Ten of Swords denotes a traumatic yet necessary conclusion. For instance, a relationship could end suddenly, your work could be eliminated, or a contract could be breached. This ending seems to have surprised and shocked everyone.

Ten of Swords (Upright)

Upright Ten of Swords tarot card meaning

The Ten of Swords is generally considered to be a terrible omen since it might signify enmity, backstabbing betrayal, badmouthing, complaining behind someone else's back, and bad behaviour. It is a Minor Arcana card that represents failure, disaster, collapse, severing links, farewells, and the death knell for a circumstance or relationship. It can represent mental breakdowns, persistent tiredness, exhaustion, and an inability to cope.

It can also mean reaching your lowest point, running into a brick wall, or coming to a dead end. The Ten of Swords can also represent someone who is extremely dramatic, attention-seeking, exaggerated, or playing the victim or martyr. It can also denote aggression, violence, and curses. The Ten of Swords portends some form of a huge catastrophe. It indicates that a powerful force that you may not have anticipated has come to affect you in your life. The character receives a backstab, which suggests that there has been a betrayal.

This tends to serve as a reminder that, despite our best efforts, there are some things that are beyond our control. In this case, the scenario is inevitable. The tragic conclusion of the suit of swords story makes it a potent metaphor. Despite the fact that the swords are a sign of intellect, intelligence, and of logic, we find the suit's conclusion to be a total defeat of the spirit.

Love and Relationship (Upright)

The Ten of Swords in a Love Tarot deck is not a good omen if you are in a relationship because it denotes breakups, divorce, separation, resentment, or breaking ties. You probably already know that the relationship is in serious problems if this card is related to a split. You must accept it, the Minor Arcana card is telling you. This card may also represent fidelity and betrayal. This card may also just suggest that you are becoming overly dramatic, vying for attention, or acting the victim in your relationship. If this is the case, failing to change your behaviour could be the last straw for the partnership.

The Ten of Swords warns you that you are in grave danger if you are in a toxic relationship. To preserve your survival and safety, you must act right away. The Ten of Swords can indicate that you are still in shock over your most recent split if you are single. Even if you are aware that the relationship was toxic and had reached its end, you still find it difficult to accept the breakup's finality on some level since you were not prepared for it to happen. You need to spend some time away from relationships to heal, rediscover who you are, and find out what truly makes you happy.

Finance (Upright)

The state of your finances can be dire. It's possible that you invested money in something that hasn't paid off, and you're currently suffering from losses. Make sure you stop paying any costs associated with this failed project, and instead, be resourceful. You may now benefit from avoiding danger. The Ten of Swords in a financial tarot card reading is not a positive omen because it can portend failure and ruin. As this is not the time to gamble, exercise extreme caution in your financial interactions and avoid taking unwarranted risks.

The Ten of Swords from the Minor Arcana deck of cards indicates financial ruin in a financial spread. You need to be careful with how you spend money right now. All that you have built can be destroyed by one poor financial decision. Before you make an investment, make sure you thoroughly investigate it. The last thing you want to do is jeopardise your way of life to make an unnecessary luxury purchase.

Career (Upright)

The Ten of Swords is not a positive omen in a career tarot reading; it may suggest that you have reached a professional dead end or that your time in your current position is coming to an end and you may be cutting ties. Keep your ears open and be alert for colleagues who may be trying to discredit you. It may also indicate that you will be the target of gossip, backstabbing, or complaining behind your back. Additionally, it can mean that you overdid yourself at work and pushed yourself to the point of collapse or weariness. You might be at a breaking point, and if so, you need to look out for your own needs because if you burn out, no one will benefit.

This Minor Arcana card is not one you want to draw if you're in business because it might represent disaster, failure, or the demise of a company. In the worst case scenario, your current job may be coming to an end right now because the ten of Swords represents endings and cutting links. Occasionally, this card may also indicate that you are dealing with office politics and feel defeated by them; perhaps coworkers have been circulating rumours. Alternately, you might have been exerting yourself excessively, driving yourself to exhaustion, and being compelled to take a break.

Health (Upright)

The Ten of Swords is not a good omen in a health Tarot reading since it suggests that you have reached a breaking point and need to stop and take care of your health. This card represents a variety of conditions, including chronic weariness, exhaustion, collapse, and even nervous breakdowns. When this shows up in your Tarot spread, you must prioritise your health. The swords in the picture, which stand in for acupuncture needles, allow this card to also simply suggest that you might benefit from acupuncture.

Getting the Ten of Swords (upright) in a health tarot card reading might not be a good sign as per the predictions. You must step back and assess your health, particularly your dietary practices. This card represents conditions including persistent weariness, exhaustion, and disintegration. You may have overworked yourself into a situation at work, too. It is best to take this card seriously and prioritise your health if you receive it in a tarot reading.

Ten of Swords (Reversed)

Reversed Ten of Swords tarot card meaning

The Ten of Swords reversed, in a general sense, might signify things becoming better, getting through the worst, surviving/being spared from tragedy, and avoiding devastation. It is a Minor Arcana reversed card that encourages self-sufficiency and the application of lessons from the past. It can represent something coming back from the verge of failure or death. It can also mean that the worst is yet to come and that there is nothing that can be done to stop it. It can also be a metaphor for complete failure, hopelessness, relapse, and difficulties returning. Any time we see the Ten of Swords, we experience strong emotions.

The card denotes the certainty of defeat whether it is upright or reversed. This catastrophe cannot be avoided; it has been a long time coming and has been the result of a protracted series of events. However, the reversal also brings with it the realisation that you have reached your breaking point and have nothing left to give. The relief that things can only get better and the cycle may restart also comes with it. However, you must start the release. You have a chance to make up for what has wronged you right now, but you have to put in the effort to escape on your own.

Even though what happened was horrific, everyone is accountable, the Ten of Swords in the reversed position can represent your life improving, conquering challenges, and forgiving people who have wronged you in the past. You have completed your sentence and have at last discovered a means to cope with your situation and escape the rut you are in. You are no longer battling the bad influences in your life. You've earned it, so rejoice and enjoy it right now!

Love and Relationship (Reversed)

If you are in a relationship, the Ten of Swords reversed in a love tarot card reading may imply that your relationship is about to fail or has already failed and is beyond saving. The Ten of Swords reversed may signal that you will leave an abusive relationship, but you should be careful that this card could also represent a drastic increase in the abuse. As remaining here could turn disastrous, you must find a safe place to be. If the Ten of Swords is reversed and you are single, it may mean that you are beginning to move past a painful breakup and the sorrow it brought about.

It means that you have grown significantly as a result of the adversity and have learned to overcome rage, hatred, or bitterness. Another possibility is that this Minor Arcana reversed card merely represents your relapse into complete dejection following the breakup and your inability or unwillingness to accept the result. Ahead, this card indicates that you might be on your road to healing, even though you may still have many scars from previous romantic hurts. If you are in a relationship, the links that once appeared to be irreparably broken between you and your partner may be repaired. In some situations, the relationship may have already ended, yet you were able to survive.

Finance (Reversed)

You might be headed for financial calamity, but according to the (reversed) Ten of Swords, you can stop it in its tracks by a mere hair's breadth. Getting back on your feet after a financial setback like bankruptcy or a divorce may be the goal for you right now. You might be headed for financial calamity, but according to the Reversed Ten of Swords, you can stop it in its tracks by a mere hair's breadth. Getting back on your feet after a financial setback like bankruptcy or a divorce may be the goal for you right now.

The Ten of Swords reversed in a financial tarot card reading can represent either being saved from complete financial devastation, such as bankruptcy, or absolute financial ruin. The accompanying cards should indicate which is applicable. You might have been in danger of becoming bankrupt, but you might have been able to avoid it just barely. You might also be getting back on solid ground after recovering from a loss of resources, such as bankruptcy or divorce.

Career (Reversed)

The Ten of Swords reversed in a career Tarot reading might mean that you have either cut ties with a job that was driving you to the point of collapse or that you have overcome the worst of the stress in your employment. Alternatively, it can mean that your miserable job is making you lose it. There may be other occupations out there that would be far healthier for you, so you should consider whether it is worthwhile. Reversed, this Minor Arcana card might signify a business that is either reviving or entirely crumbling if you are in business.

Your road to recovery from previous stresses has just begun. Perhaps you've moved jobs recently, or you've been fired from a position that gave you a lot of cause for annoyance, rage, and bitterness. Whatever had occurred, it's now past its worst. You can sigh with relief knowing that what is ahead will be simpler to handle. Instead, this card may indicate that your state of stress is getting worse and that, unless you take action to escape it, you are in danger of collapsing. You must decide whether the agony you are enduring is worth it for your mental health.

Health (Reversed)

The Ten of Swords reversed might suggest improved health and overcoming a terrible illness or disease in a health Tarot reading. Look to supporting cards for confirmation, as they can also indicate a near-death experience, an incapacity to survive, or strong suicide inclinations. If you're having trouble, get help! Numerous individuals and organisations are willing to assist you. The Ten of Swords reversed typically signifies that you have overcome previous challenges and have acquired lessons from them that you will apply to move ahead in life.

These experiences may have given you a great deal of wisdom and compassion for other people. On the other hand, this card from the Suit of Swords can mean that you're rejecting the teachings, which would keep you mired in a downward cycle. Your spirit guides are all around you and are kindly assisting you through this, so try to pick up on what they are saying. You might discover that astral projection comes naturally to you at this time because the Ten of Swords reversed can also suggest near-death and out-of-body experiences.

Ten of Swords: One Card Pull

When you need concise, to-the-point solutions, only one card is pulled. It is used for situations where you need definite, Yes-or-No replies. Therefore, getting a one-card pull is usually beneficial if you are going through a difficult scenario or are trapped in a bind. After the card has been shuffled, you can pick one from the deck. You will receive the appropriate response to your query. The outcomes of one Ten of Swords card pull are as follows:

Upright Position: The Ten of Swords is a "no" card. Unfortunately, the ten of Swords doesn't offer a solution because it primarily symbolises a sense of failure and treachery. When the ten of Swords appears in your tarot reading, accept what is advised.

Reversed Position: The Ten of Swords represent "no" when pulled in the reversed position. It offers a fresh start even though it implies that thoughts of failure are inevitable. The reversed Ten of Swords urges letting go in order to eventually seize the next fresh opportunities.

Ten of Swords Card for Timing

The Ten of Swords portends that a significant thought will be directed inward in order to address a challenge. This incident could happen in the coming hours or days. It would imply that whatever you desire or wonder about will manifest, but it will take time since an Air element indicates movement, and a swift one, if the query concerns the timing of an event. It would be difficult to say how soon that is because it may be the seasons of the signs of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius.

It would also be counted in months, or around the 10th, 19th, or 28th of a month. The best approach to take this is to keep in mind that whatever it is you're inquiring about will eventually happen, even if it happens quickly or doesn't last for very long. The greatest strategy for determining the time with the Suit of Swords is to always think at least one later.