Ten of Swords as a Man (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Ten of Swords is the card of betrayal, ruin, failure, pain, loss, crisis, and endings. This card shows a man lying face down, apparently dead, with ten swords sticking out of his back. He has been stabbed to death. Though this is a dark scene, the sun is rising above the horizon, indicating that with one ending comes a new beginning.

The Ten of Swords reminds us that endings are natural in life. When one thing ends, it gives space for something else to begin. When one door closes, another opens. The end of one cycle is the beginning of another. The Ten of Swords reminds us that it is okay to release what is no longer serving us. 

Upright Ten of Swords as a Man

If the Ten of Swords appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is facing or has recently faced a devastating betrayal or ending, possibly of his own making. This person may give off a sense of finality, as if he has closed a significant chapter in his life, willingly or otherwise. The energy around him is likely to be heavy, suffused with an aura of melancholy or even despondency.

For physical characteristics, the Ten of Swords as a man represents someone who is physically drained, with a stooped posture; his voice might be resigned, his touch weak, and his scent stale, as if carrying the weight of defeat. His eyes may appear sunken, rimmed with fatigue or redness, as if he has been crying or has not slept in days. His voice could carry a note of exhaustion or surrender, lacking its usual timbre or strength. When you come in physical contact with him, you might notice that his grip is looser than usual, almost as if he’s let go of something significant. His scent might evoke neglected spaces—stale, closed-off rooms or old books, mirroring his internal emotional landscape.

For emotional characteristics, the Ten of Swords as a man represents someone who is feeling defeated, like he’s hit rock bottom. There’s an emotional flatness to him, a lack of enthusiasm or interest that suggests he feels as though all is lost. This is not a transient mood but a deeper, more pervasive state that has likely been brought on by significant life events, culminating in this moment of seeming despair.

Astrologically, the Ten of Swords as a man represents someone who is likely to have challenging Sun-Saturn or Sun-Pluto aspects, signifying difficult life lessons or betrayals. A harsh Sun-Saturn aspect could indicate limitations, setbacks, and lessons learned the hard way, perhaps contributing to his sense of defeat. A challenging Sun-Pluto aspect, on the other hand, might indicate transformative crises, power struggles, or betrayals that have marked his life profoundly.

For careers, the Ten of Swords can represent a man who works as a bankruptcy attorney, a palliative care nurse, or any role that deals with life’s harshest realities. These professions require him to confront the end of things, whether they are financial empires, or human lives, or dreams. But even in these roles, his demeanor is likely to be more somber than his colleagues’, as if he carries the weight of his own defeats into his professional life.

The Ten of Swords as a man represents someone who makes you feel pessimistic and wary of betrayal. The heavy energy that surrounds him can make interactions feel like a downer, pulling you into his world of despair and mistrust. You may find it hard to shake off the gloomy atmosphere long after you’ve parted ways, as if his emotional state lingers like a cloud.

Reversed Ten of Swords as a Man

If the Ten of Swords reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is starting to pick himself up from a devastating setback, betrayal, or defeat. While he may still carry the weight of past hardships, there is a sense that he is turning a corner, emerging from a place of darkness and despair. He likely emits an aura of tentative resilience, almost as if he is testing the waters before taking a full step forward.

For physical characteristics, the Ten of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is showing signs of recovery; his posture may be less slouched, his touch less fragile, and his scent might carry a whiff of renewal. His eyes may now reflect a flicker of hope, replacing the sunken, hollow gaze from before. His voice could have a newfound steadiness, no longer tinged by the resignation that once colored his words. His touch, which was once limp and weak, might feel firmer, suggesting an internal gathering of strength. The scent around him could be fresher, evoking new grass after a rain, hinting at personal transformation and renewal.

For emotional characteristics, the Ten of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is experiencing a resurgence of hope, however faint, that things can get better. While he may still be battling lingering doubts and fears, he is more open to the possibility of a brighter future. This emotional shift likely manifests in subtle changes in his demeanor, perhaps a hesitant smile or a less guarded conversational style, indicating a nascent belief in the potential for improvement.

Astrologically, the Ten of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who is likely experiencing the constructive aspects of a Saturn Return or transformative Pluto transits, indicating rebirth after hardship. A positive Saturn Return may have forced him to confront his limitations and learn valuable life lessons, setting the stage for a more authentic and meaningful life ahead. Beneficial Pluto transits could signal deep transformation and empowerment, providing him the psychological depth and resilience to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of his past trials.

For careers, the Ten of Swords reversed can represent a man who works as a rehabilitation counselor, a life coach, or in any profession focused on recovery and new beginnings. These roles suit him particularly well now, as his recent experiences have given him a unique perspective on hardship and recovery. He is likely to bring a deeply empathetic and genuinely hopeful outlook to his work, enriched by his own journey through the darker corridors of life.

The Ten of Swords reversed as a man represents someone who makes you feel a sense of cautious optimism for new beginnings. When you’re around him, you might sense a feeling of tentative hope in the air, as if he’s opening a window to let fresh breezes dispel the mustiness of a long-shut room. While there may still be wariness, his current state encourages you to believe in the possibility of healing and growth, not just for him but perhaps for yourself as well.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Ten of Swords represents endings. While endings can be sad, they also represent the potential for something new and better to take its place. With an ending comes release. We can start anew. This card is a reminder that it is okay for us to release what is no longer serving us. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.