Nine of Swords

Artist: Atzin Montes Sosa

The opposite of the sun card. Using Aztec symbolism, personal connection to St. Catherine University, and elements of the Nine of Swords, the card emphasizes the tension between being stuck in one's mind and the possibility of finding enlightenment through union and self-realization. As Marmolejo notes in Red Tarot Connections, “fear, mental anguish, and intellectual turmoil” are central to the Nine of Swords, reflecting the emotional weight the character struggles to overcome (Christopher Marmolejo, Red Tarot, 348).

The Nine of Swords card embodies the duality of light and dark, represented by the sun and moon, symbolizing the interplay between contemplation and clarity. The nine Macuahuitls, or Aztec swords, convey intense inner conflict and the battles of the mind, reflecting the power that can come from overcoming internal struggles. The central figure, an Aztec woman in a traditional dress, sits on a stone bench etched with a wild cat and pyramid, representing untapped strength and resilience. Gazing down, her posture and expression show vulnerability and the weight of mental anguish. The circular Aztec-style window she faces symbolizes hidden knowledge and the barrier between her and the life-giving wisdom of the Dew Drop Fountain, inspired by St. Catherine University! This imagery connects with fear's theme of immobilization but suggests potential growth through introspection and empowerment.