Your Worst Nightmare

The Nine of Swords crops up when someone is worrying about something. Cards elsewhere in the spread may give a clue as to what the worry is about, but the worry itself needs to be addressed. The thing about nightmares is that things always seem worst in the wee small hours. Once daylight comes around, most fears are cut down to size. Whatever the subject's worry, once it is brought out into the light and discussed, that in itself may help to reduce the worry to more managable proportions.

I always find with this card that the worry is generally worse than the outcome. It indicates that the subject is worrying unnecessarily. It does not always mean a 100% happy outcome - but whatever the result it won't be as bad as the subject fears it will be.

Regarding health matters, most people's number one worry is cancer. When the Nine of Swords crops up it often means that there is a family history of cancer. It does not indicate that the subject already has the disease, merely that there is a predispostion towards it and that sensible precautions need to be taken.

Generally speaking, when the Nine of Swords enters a reading it is time for a combination of reassurance and digging deeper. Like the other 9's in the deck, it has an introspective energy. Look to the supporting cards for whether fears are justified or not.