TEN OF SWORDS

• BOTTOMING OUT
• VICTIM MENTALITY
• MARTYRDOM

• Actions
• Opposing Cards
• Reinforcing Cards
• Description

ACTIONS

• BOTTOMING OUT
• having nowhere to go but up
• knowing it's darkest before the dawn
• being at the lowest point
• feeling things can't get worse
• preparing for an upturn
• reaching the pits

• VICTIM MENTALITY
• bemoaning your fate
• feeling powerless
• seeing life as hostile
• suffering from an attack
• wondering "Why me?"
• feeling self-pity
• being on the receiving end

• MARTYRDOM
• putting your own interests last
• being self-deprecating
• feeling like a doormat
• taking a back seat
• letting others go first
• sacrificing

OPPOSING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Chariot - self-assertion, power, victory
• Two of Wands - power, self-confidence
• Six of Wands - self-promotion, being on top of the world
• Nine of Cups - satisfaction, happy with conditions

REINFORCING CARDS: Some Possibilities

• Hanged Man - sacrifice, martyrdom
• Eight of Swords - victim mentality, powerlessness

DESCRIPTION

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? Perhaps this gentleman's suffering - though sincere - is exaggerated as well.

One meaning of the Ten of Swords is hitting rock bottom. When one disaster follows another, we feel devastated at first, but eventually we throw up our hands and laugh. It's so bad, it's funny! In films, the hero says, "What else could possibly go wrong?" and we know that's a signal for the bucket of water to fall on his 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. I picture the man lifting his head and saying, "You think you've got it bad...a cut on the finger. Then he drops his head back down with a sigh. When we're in victim mentality, we think everything is horrible, hopeless and impossibly unfair.

• TAROT CARDS
• TAROT CARDS: SWORDS
• Tarot cards, swords: ace of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: two of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: three of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: four of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: five of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: six of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: seven of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: eight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: nine of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: ten of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: page of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: knight of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: queen of swords;
• Tarot cards, swords: king of swords;