Surrender -The Ten of Swords
“He’s dead, Jim.” I quote Google Chrome. Chrome quotes Star Trek.
Today I draw this card. I wince when I see it. Ouch. Deadness. I had hoped for a uplifting message before I create a presentation for high school students about Reiki. (Obviously now I am writing this post.)
Almost every morning I shuffle and pick a Tarot card to help focus my day. Aside from the Major Arcana (i.e. The Magician, Fool, Lovers, Hermit, Tower), there are four suits like the playing card. The sword represents air, communication, thinking, cutting through confusion. It is my least favorite because it’s a weapon, unlike the others: the coins (earth, physical realm), wands (fire, growth), and cups (water, emotions). While I appreciate thinking and communicating, the sharp object connotes someone getting hurt.
He’s dead, Jim.
In Ten of Swords, the black sky and metal pieces weigh on the figure on the ground. Worries and piercing thoughts, perhaps? Yes, I have got those. Dealing with a recent fall, creating a new lesson, my teenager’s excuses for staying up late (therefore late for school), a broken stove, friends going through life crisis… Poverty, floods, government shutdown and nuke leaking into the ocean. That’s my short list. This can be a runaway train.
Resonate with the good in everything, I tell myself. I am on the mend; I have an outline for the class on Reiki; my son got to school on time today; a part was ordered for the stove; I help buddies with Reiki. I have some control. As for the larger angst in the world, I do my best to influence those. I send lovingkindness to the sun, earth, air, water, every tree, and bees. Everyday. I spread ideas to improve our environment, food source, and help each other.
On this card there is dawn -an emerging bright yellow sky, a vista with mountains and blue water. If I were the downed, stabbed guy, I might as well enjoy the view. Sounds paradoxical, but I get that surrender and see the big picture is the message for today. When the chips (swords) are down, acknowledge them, and relax.
Energetically, I’m to meet the ground and chill, in a different way from my last post.
This card is from Universal Waite Deck. I love its vibrant colors and traditional drawings. A good beginner deck.
If you like art history and Tarot, you’d enjoy reading and learning from The Ultimate Guide to the Rider Waite Tarot. It explains the symbolism of almost every detail on each card on the popular deck.
Let’s end with some chuckles. Clips of “He’s dead, Jim.” from Star Trek
10 Responses
Your Tarot perspective is a whole new window for me, Sue-thanks for enlightening us on how your interpretation evolved!
It’s fun to free-associate while looking at the drawing. What resonates flows up and pushes me to make meaning of it/life. I highly recommend the process 🙂
Hi Sue:
I enjoyed your article on the Ten of Swords, “The True Death” card, compared to the “Death Card” which we usually deem “Transfiguration” or “Death of Ego” for the person being read. I liked your humorous introduction from Star Trek, and you insights are both refreshing and reveal a very deep and wise knowledge of both the Waite Deck and of Tarot interpretation. I think you hit this one “dead” on the nail…this card in this position really is shouting out to the person being read, “Let go, stop your headlong pursuits, surrender!” And we understand that “Surrender” can be that Dark Night of the Soul, or merely a release of our resistance to spirit and grace. It is from these moments of total egolessness and effortlessness that faith and real knowledge are reborn. Very nice! 🙂
Hi Bob,
Thanks so much for being here!! It is always wonderful to hear resonance from fellow truth-seekers. It is quite apt to liken the man on the ground experiencing Dark Night of the Soul. The struggle and gloom has won, and what else is left? Actually a lot -a beautiful vista and hope. I love that -release the resistance become egoless and reborn.
Consider seeing Swords as Words with the “S” in front of it. So while air/swords/blades can be seen as cutting through things, they can also be seen as the vibration of the muses that expire us into action. If someone gets hurt, sometimes its necessary for healing. Much like how a surgeon uses a scalpel or a laser.
The 10 assessment is very interesting. fire and air can sometimes be seen as trial and tribulation that leads to the development of something new. Think volcanoes and islands.
I think I will git on your runaway train to resonate with the good in everything. Because ultimately 10 is the end of a cycle as the circle spirals forward and starts over at one. This is one reason why in numerology we reduce everything to below 10. Just wait until we start figuring out base 8 or base 20 mathematics. This could all change.
As a person whose life path is a 10 or a 1, I always see the 10 of swords as being the tools to create, sculpt or forge the world from the position of the Magus/Magician 1 position. Considering 1 is supposed to be the mastery of all of the elements and possibilities.
Consider that the 10 is pretty intense in fire and air yet accomplished in cups or coins. But the higher the number, the less the power and impact. This is one reason the Tarot starts at ZERO as no human can be this number.
Thank you for sharing SUE! You are amazing. I so value you for just being yourself. XO
JD -Thank you so much for your insightful analysis of 10 and s-words. I really like the s-word perspective. The word is my sword, actually, Mercury in first house. I am a 2-8/10- 1 birth path. I get the intensity and feel blessed with the creativity of the Magician. The lone ranger at times too, i.e. I post a surreal picture and want to talk about swords on the back.
So happy to have you on the runway with me to resonate with the positive. I love the wise company!
I’m just going to have to try to enjoy the view from the ground. Good perspective, Sue… <3
I am not used to being down, even though I’ve had major downers. Adding this perspective to my pocket is really helpful. Thank you Amy!
This is so interesting, Sue. I especially “resonate with the good in everything” and of course looking at the big picture. It’s amazing how looking at the whole can change our point of view. Thanks so much.
You are welcome. Perspective is an intriguing trick… Once we see things a certain way, it’s hard to let go; or it’s easy to accept after we change how we see. It’s like finding the fulcrum, then decide which way to lean. Thank you for stopping by!
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