Ten of Swords as a Woman (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 Woman

If the Ten of Swords appears in a Tarot spread as a woman, that means that this person is at a point of significant loss or betrayal, often feeling completely defeated. Her aura feels heavy, almost as if she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. The atmosphere around her is suffused with a sense of finality, as though a chapter in her life has closed, leaving her in the aftermath.

For physical characteristics, the Ten of Swords as a woman represents someone who is visibly defeated, with slumped shoulders, a hushed voice, a limp handshake, and a scent of burnt-out embers. Her shoulders sag as though bearing an invisible burden, making her appear smaller and more vulnerable. Her voice, once filled with confidence or hope, has been reduced to a mere whisper, tinged with sorrow. Even her handshake feels weak, as if her energy has been sapped. Her natural scent has shifted, now reminding you of embers after a fire has burnt out, symbolizing her current burnt-out state.

For emotional characteristics, the Ten of Swords as a woman represents someone who is emotionally exhausted, feeling like she’s hit rock bottom. There is a pervasive gloom that hangs over her, as if she’s steeped in a sadness she can’t shake off. Every word she speaks, every gesture she makes, seems to emanate from a place of deep despair or resignation.

Astrologically, the Ten of Swords as a woman represents someone who is likely to have challenging Pluto or Saturn aspects, particularly in signs like Scorpio or Capricorn, indicating transformative but painful experiences. She may be undergoing a Pluto transit that’s dredging up deep-seated issues for transformation, or a Saturn return that’s forcing her to confront the hard realities of her life. The Scorpio influence might make these experiences intensely emotional, while Capricorn might add an extra layer of harsh lessons or responsibilities.

For careers, the Ten of Swords can represent a woman who works as a bankruptcy lawyer, an emergency responder, or a palliative care nurse. These are careers that often involve dealing with crises, loss, or end-of-life situations, aligning with her current emotional state. Her job likely exposes her to the harsher realities of life on a regular basis, which might be contributing to her emotional fatigue and sense of defeat.

The Ten of Swords as a woman represents someone who makes you feel compelled to lend support but also cautious of the heavy emotional weight she carries. When you interact with her, you may feel a mixture of empathy and apprehension, drawn by her vulnerability but wary of being consumed by her emotional intensity. The air around her feels thick, laden with a kind of sadness that calls out for understanding, yet warns you to tread carefully.

Reversed Ten of Swords as a Woman

If the Ten of Swords reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a woman, that means that this person is beginning to recover from a downfall, seeing the first rays of light after a period of darkness. There is a subtle shift in her energy, like the first light of dawn breaking through a long, dark night. She exudes an air of cautious optimism, as though she’s just beginning to believe that things might eventually be okay.

For physical characteristics, the Ten of Swords reversed as a woman represents someone who is starting to regain her posture, her voice carrying a hint of strength, her touch firming up, and her scent like that of fresh soil after rain. Her once slumped shoulders seem to be gradually lifting, as if she is slowly unburdening herself. Her voice, once hushed and weary, now holds a tinge of newfound strength, and her handshake, once limp, is starting to firm up. Even her scent has changed, now reminiscent of the earthy aroma that follows a refreshing rain, symbolizing renewal and growth.

For emotional characteristics, the Ten of Swords reversed as a woman represents someone who is starting to find resilience and strength in her struggles, though still bearing the scars. There’s a newfound determination in her eyes, even if they still hold the weight of past ordeals. She seems more grounded, like someone who has faced the worst and emerged with a fragile but growing sense of inner strength.

Astrologically, the Ten of Swords reversed as a woman represents someone who is experiencing healing transits to Pluto or Saturn, offering her a chance for renewal and transformation. Pluto’s regenerative energy may be triggering a profound inner transformation, while favorable Saturn aspects could be helping her rebuild the structures of her life. These celestial influences might be found in signs that encourage growth and transformation, such as Scorpio, or those that provide solid foundations, like Capricorn.

For careers, the Ten of Swords reversed can represent a woman who works as a recovery coach, a motivational speaker specializing in overcoming setbacks, or a turnaround consultant. These are roles that require her to harness her own experiences with failure and recovery, offering her unique insights into the process of turning things around. Her job may serve as a platform for her own healing, as well as a source of inspiration for others going through similar trials.

The Ten of Swords reversed as a woman represents someone who makes you feel encouraged by her resilience and hopeful for her future, yet cautious about the fragility of her newfound strength. When you interact with her, you might feel inspired by her journey and the steps she’s taken towards recovery. However, there’s still a lingering caution, a sense that her newfound strength is tender and still needs nurturing to fully blossom.

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.