Nine of Swords in the 5-Card Spread with the Rider Waite Tarot

Nine of Swords as second card : Challenge / Obstacle
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

In contrast, the Nine of Swords reveals a refusal to see the real source of anxiety, or, conversely, a tendency to exaggerate fears to the point of becoming trapped in a vicious circle of mental self-flagellation.

The consultant may be caught up in obsessive ruminations or endless regrets, unable to move on.

He or she may also avoid facing the root causes of their pain, preferring to wallow in paralysing guilt rather than taking concrete steps to free themselves.

The Nine of Swords in opposition can also signal emotional nightmares that have no objective basis, indicating the need to bring consciousness back to the real present rather than to a negative imaginary world.

This opposition invites us to face what frightens us, to stop torturing ourselves unnecessarily, and to dare to ask for support if necessary. The mental shadow must be acknowledged, not fed.

Nine of Swords as third card : Advice
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

As advice, the Nine of Swords invites you to face your fears with clarity, to stop harbouring solitary anxieties, and to dare to put your inner pain into words.

It is time to break out of mental isolation, to share your concerns with someone you trust, or to give yourself permission to cry and release what is weighing you down. This card also advises you to sort out which fears are rational and which are just figments of your imagination.

It is essential to be kind to yourself, not to exacerbate your suffering with harsh judgements, and to remember that anxiety is not who you are.

The Nine of Swords also recommends taking concrete steps, even simple ones, to regain control of your daily life and calm your mind. It is by welcoming your dark nights with compassion that you will gradually rediscover your inner light.

Nine of Swords as fourth card : Outcome
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

In the outcome position, the Nine of Swords indicates that without working on your fears, you risk remaining trapped in a cycle of self-perpetuating mental suffering.

The consultant may continue to ruminate, feel guilty, and anticipate the worst, without ever finding peace. This could manifest as persistent insomnia, anxiety attacks, or deeper emotional isolation.

However, this outcome is not inevitable: it highlights an urgent need for inner healing, for putting the pain into words, and for realising that most of the burden is mentally constructed.

If the client agrees to face their shadows and bring their anxieties to light instead of letting them grow in the darkness, then liberation is possible.

This result is a salutary warning: it is time to stop suffering alone and strive for inner reconciliation.