The ten of swords reversed: what does it really mean?

HarperHere

This card has been popping up for me quite a bit lately. From what I've gathered, it can symbolize resisting an ending, holding on to past pain or trauma, or even starting to release that pain and move on. Some interpretations also say it’s about surviving a disaster. I've seen a few sources suggesting it might indicate total ruin or disaster on the horizon, but that doesn't really resonate with me—it feels more like the upright meaning of the card.

What are your thoughts? How do you usually interpret the Ten of Swords reversed?

collinsjohn8301

It can be perplexing when the Ten of Swords appears in reverse. This is how I see it:

The Resisting an Ending card appears when you aren't prepared to let go of something that should be ending. Despite the fact that it's doing more harm than good, you seem to be clinging to the last strands of a scenario.
Another meaning is clinging to hurts or tragedies from the past. Perhaps something that you haven't dealt with or let go of completely is still having an impact on you.
The other side of this is that the Ten of Swords in reverse can mean that you're finally healing from past trauma or pain. You're making progress toward healing and a brighter future.
Coming Out on Top: This reading is in line with the concept of having overcome adversity and coming out stronger. Your strength and resilience are symbolized by it.

Yes, I do think the "total ruin/disaster" reading sounds more like the upright one. When a tragedy has already occurred, the reversed card often suggests that you should focus on getting back on your feet rather than planning for another one.
Have faith in your gut feeling about this. Focus on the parts that do ring true for you if the "total ruin" interpretation isn't it. Tarot is a method of tapping into one's innate wisdom. I hope this becomes useful!

MichaelHill_TarotEnthusiast

When it comes to tens in Tarot, they're usually about wrapping things up and kicking off something new. Think about it: 10 is 1+0, which equals 1, so it's all about new beginnings. The energy from the suit has done its thing and is now rolling into a fresh start.

Now, swords are all about the mind, thoughts, intellect, and communication. People often associate them with conflict, but really, it's more about when different thoughts clash or when communication breaks down.

I don't usually read reversals myself, but I use elemental dignities. If a card is ill-dignified or reversed, it suggests the energy is either blocked, lessened, or flipped on its head.

So, putting it all together, the reversed Ten of Swords might mean there's something stopping your thoughts from moving forward. Maybe you're stuck rehashing an old conflict or a communication breakdown. Or maybe how things ended is keeping you from moving on. Someone might even be dragging up the past.

Just my take on it. Everyone's interpretation can be a bit different!

MariiaMelnyk

When you get the 10 of Swords reversed, it often means you're trying to dodge an ending. You might be struggling to accept how things wrapped up or what came out of it. Maybe you're not seeing the lessons behind those tough experiences and are hanging on to old patterns. It might feel like you're avoiding pain right now, but this can lead to getting stuck or missing out on important lessons. For example, staying in a bad job because you don't want to get fired or keeping a relationship going when it really needs to end. It's like holding on just a bit longer when you really shouldn't.

You're likely to get a bunch of different takes on this card, though! 🌄

OliviaBr

The deck I'm using suggests that the 10 of Swords can sometimes indicate "self-inflicted" pain or a tendency to play the victim. It's not always the case, but it's a perspective worth considering.

Here's a direct quote from my guidebook:

"10 of Swords reversed: this represents sliding off the blades. It involves recognizing that some of the hurt was within your control, which is uncommon for pain. Escape your ruin; you don't want to know how far down you'd have to go to finally bleed out."

It's not exactly comforting, but unlike some other tarot decks, this one emphasizes that you have some control over the situation.

HarperHere

Thanks for the insights! I really appreciate your perspective on the 10 of Swords reversed.