The INDIAN TAROTS – Ten of Swords

The Ten of Swords marks the end of the numbered card in the swords suit. Naturally, therefore, the card is about endings. It depicts a dead man in a battlefield; maybe this is a depiction of the lost lives in Kashmir riots that are caused by religious and political tension. Rather than harping on the lost, however, the card encourages us to focus on the peace, glory, and rest that comes with endings.

A red cloth covers a part of the figure’s body. Like in most tarot cards, the color red symbolizes passion and zeal. The cloth is a representation of the figure’s strength and courage in the battle he has fought. The figure is making the hand gesture for Vitarka Mudra, which is related to consciousness and knowledge. This further iterates the glory underneath the macabre scene. The lost life wants everyone to become conscious.

The darken sky is a reflection of the darken room in the Nine of Swords. It is the dark night of the soul played out in reality. The sky illustrates the atmosphere of the macabre found in the card. Juxtaposing the darken sky is the rising morning underneath it. The yellow sky represents the hoped-for enlightenment depicted in the Nine of Swords. The morning further iterates the hidden glory underneath the figure’s death. Beyond the figure’s body is a vast water body, like the Daal Lake in Kashmir valley. Unlike oceans, the water is still without any hint of waves. The stillness of the water directly relates to the stillness of the body. Indirectly though, the water hints at a level of peace that the figure must be feeling now that he has died.

Upright meaning

This card often represents betrayal, endings, and hitting rock bottom. It suggests that you may be experiencing a painful loss or a sense of defeat, and that you may need to accept that something has come to an end. The card encourages you to find a way to pick up the pieces and to move forward.

Reverse meaning

This card can indicate healing, recovery, or a new beginning. You may be finding ways to heal from past wounds or to start over in a new direction. The card suggests that you may need to focus on finding hope and positivity in your life.