Symbolism & Imagery:
The traditional imagery of the Nine of Swords Tarot Card is pretty striking and emotive. We can see a person sitting upright in bed with their head in their hands. They are clearly in distress and look as if they have just woken up from a pretty awful nightmare. Or, perhaps anxiety and stress are keeping them up at night. Unfortunately, most people on earth have been in this situation. We all are prone to nightmares, anxiety, and pain that affects our sleep.
It is clearly dark outside, with nine swords hanging above the sleeping person’s bed. I always think that they make the person look as if they are in prison, the swords keeping them trapped in their bedroom.
It is interesting that the person’s quilt is brightly colored. I think that it suggests that not all is lost and that there still is some hope. The person still has comfort there, even though they have covered their eyes and cannot see it right now.