Ten of Swords
Welcome to season 8 of this podcast, where I am talking all about the Suit of Swords!
I’m going through each card in the suit, one per episode.
What we explore in this episode:
The Ten of Swords as a card of painful endings, transformation, and burnout
Symbolism across decks: devastation, martyrdom, dark clouds, overgiving, surrender
How fear, self-sacrifice, and unmet expectations can shape suffering
The wisdom, healing, and integration at the end of a hard chapter
Ten of Swords
Pictures from the decks I talked about today :
In this episode, we reflect on the weight and wisdom of the Ten of Swords. This card is often seen as one of the darkest in the deck. It depicts collapse, pain, and betrayal, but it’s also about what happens after—the depth beneath the devastation. It shows us the consequences of giving too much, staying too long, or carrying wounds that aren’t fully ours.
The Ten of Swords is where something ends, not because you failed, but because it couldn’t go on. In that ending, there is a chance to reclaim yourself. To stop the cycle. This card asks: Where are you still overextending to prove you’re enough? What identity have you outgrown? And are you ready to stop surviving and start healing?
If you haven't listened to my other seasons yet, go check them out!
Season 1 - Tarot basics
Seasons 2 & 3 - Major Arcana and 4 suits
Season 4 - Tarot in Pop Culture
Season 5 - Tarot Spreads
Season 6 - Suit of Wands
Season 7 - Suit of Pentacles
From The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracle by Fen Inkwright, I pulled The Guide (reversed). This card carries the energy of Inheritance and Collection. It reminds us that even through painful endings, we gather wisdom. We inherit stories—some helpful, some not. It acknowledges how exhausting it’s been to keep going, especially when others haven’t supported you, but also celebrates your resilience. You've come through the fire, trust that you now have the capacity to face what's next.
Reflective prompts on this card:
What wisdom have I collected through this ending or transformation?
How can I honor what I’ve learned without letting it define me?
Where can I pause and make space before moving on to the next thing?
Ways to Connect & Support
Patreon: For monthly hangouts, tarot Q&As, individual readings, and behind-the-scenes peeks, join the Every Day Tarot Patreon family.
Newsletter: Get my FREE 2025 5-Card Tarot Spread PDF + weekly musings, event invites, and magic straight to your inbox.
Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup: If you’re local to the Greater Puget Sound area I’d love to see you at one of my Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup group events where we all bring some of our favorite decks and play around with tarot and oracle decks together.
If you’re NOT local to my area, you can join me for a VIRTUAL tarot card creation event on Friday June 20th at 5pm Pacific Daylight Time. I’ll give you a list of recommended supplies, we’ll meet online, and I’ll walk you through the process of creating your own cards. Get the date on your calendar now and be on the lookout for the signup page coming soon!
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