Thanks for the feedback, Deryn. I find myself switching back and forth when the option is there. Sometimes my reading capacity is at limit, and it's nice to have audio there in those cases. But overall, I prefer to read.
Thanks, a really helpful post. In the Wildwood deck the arrows suit is not so stark as the Rider Waite and the 10 swords has a quite unique take that seems to run contrary to usual interpretations and images. However, the card that I've repeatedly drawn this year is the 6 arrows, depicted as a swan boat upon calm waters, a ferryman, the full moon. I'm drawn to it very much because it seems to permit a period of collapse, letting the waters and the ferryman take me along for a a while during a v difficult transition period. I recoil from the blindfolded woman in the two arrows, who cannot see that the scales are unfairly weighted. It brings out frustrated indignation concerning the injustices within contemporary society and a feeling of powerlessness to act against the strong. As for the thinking function, I'm an academic so have to use it all the time, but its hard work as I am an INFJ. I find abstract thinking particularly difficult esp if its a philosophical paper that is full of jargon and assumed knowledge. I can do it, but it doesn't come naturally. Makes me sleepy!
I see the 10 of arrows in Wildwood, also called Instruction, does have quite a different take. How do you usually read it when it comes up?
INFJ's have the thinking function in the tertiary spot of the personality stack (from most differentiated to least, it goes: introverted intuition, extraverted feeling, introverted thinking, extraverted sensation). Despite being a less conscious tool, I do find there is an ability to utilize this cognitive function with a lot of success. For me, it's really dialed in to certain areas, like I can pull it out of the tool belt and wield it well. And then, suddenly, if I am out of my scope, forced into a too-rationalized discussion, I feel really overwhelmed. The nature of introverted functions is they tend to be more focused, depth over breath, and I find this to be true of my thinking.
I can't get along with it (10 arrows in wildwood) and tend to revert to the usually imagery from other decks. On the stack, sensation is def my worst - directional sense of a gadfly. Depth over breadth, that's interesting, hadn't considered it like that before. Thanks.
Although the arrow shares a sharpened point, is a piercing weapon, with the sword...I can't help but find a closer connection symbolically to the lance/javelin, and thus wands.
Perhaps it exists on a borderline between the two, as a tool of focus, quick motion, intensity, precision, deadly force.
As a tarot reader, when I pull the 10 of swords for someone, it is a similar reaction as the death card. I always say, “don’t worry, you are like the phoenix, rising from the ashes.” What is your take on this card?
I've always considered 10 of Swords to be a minor arcana equivalent to Death.
When it comes up in a reading, I'm always curious about where they are in the cycle. How are those wounds sitting with them? Is there a sense of readiness to transition out, to grasp the Ace of Swords and move forward? Do they feel stuck, still acutely wounded? Being able to rise from the ashes is contingent on some level of integration, understanding, consciousness around what has led to this point. That's where I think things can get stuck, if we haven't fully grasped the insight, feel ready to let go, and move on.
Here’s another twist on this card from the modern witch tarot - it’s a bonus card in the desk you can replace the 10 of swords in the deck if you want to. The only difference is the name of the card changed:
I like that it invites the reader to contemplate the hopefulness. I often find that beginner students or clients miss those aspects in the classic depiction, the dawning of the new day, the hand of benediction. It's subtle, so not so surprising. It's easy to get pulled into an overly negative or fearful interpretation when the card comes up.
TEN OF SWORDS: Everything is fine. It’s fine. Really. Sure, you’ve been completely pierced through with ten sharp swords, and you’re collapsed into a ball on the floor. You’re struggling, just trying to survive, as the weight grows ever heavier. You’re going through something truly soul-crushing and it feels like your world is ending. Every movement hurts, and sometimes only a meaningless distraction feels like it’ll help. But the pain will end, and you will come out stronger having survived it.
Did you listen to the voiceover for today's post? Do you prefer having the option to listen or read? Leave a comment and let me know!
I always prefer to read though if I accessed this site via a mobile I would probably listen more.
Thanks for the feedback, Deryn. I find myself switching back and forth when the option is there. Sometimes my reading capacity is at limit, and it's nice to have audio there in those cases. But overall, I prefer to read.
Thanks, a really helpful post. In the Wildwood deck the arrows suit is not so stark as the Rider Waite and the 10 swords has a quite unique take that seems to run contrary to usual interpretations and images. However, the card that I've repeatedly drawn this year is the 6 arrows, depicted as a swan boat upon calm waters, a ferryman, the full moon. I'm drawn to it very much because it seems to permit a period of collapse, letting the waters and the ferryman take me along for a a while during a v difficult transition period. I recoil from the blindfolded woman in the two arrows, who cannot see that the scales are unfairly weighted. It brings out frustrated indignation concerning the injustices within contemporary society and a feeling of powerlessness to act against the strong. As for the thinking function, I'm an academic so have to use it all the time, but its hard work as I am an INFJ. I find abstract thinking particularly difficult esp if its a philosophical paper that is full of jargon and assumed knowledge. I can do it, but it doesn't come naturally. Makes me sleepy!
I see the 10 of arrows in Wildwood, also called Instruction, does have quite a different take. How do you usually read it when it comes up?
INFJ's have the thinking function in the tertiary spot of the personality stack (from most differentiated to least, it goes: introverted intuition, extraverted feeling, introverted thinking, extraverted sensation). Despite being a less conscious tool, I do find there is an ability to utilize this cognitive function with a lot of success. For me, it's really dialed in to certain areas, like I can pull it out of the tool belt and wield it well. And then, suddenly, if I am out of my scope, forced into a too-rationalized discussion, I feel really overwhelmed. The nature of introverted functions is they tend to be more focused, depth over breath, and I find this to be true of my thinking.
I can't get along with it (10 arrows in wildwood) and tend to revert to the usually imagery from other decks. On the stack, sensation is def my worst - directional sense of a gadfly. Depth over breadth, that's interesting, hadn't considered it like that before. Thanks.
Although the arrow shares a sharpened point, is a piercing weapon, with the sword...I can't help but find a closer connection symbolically to the lance/javelin, and thus wands.
Perhaps it exists on a borderline between the two, as a tool of focus, quick motion, intensity, precision, deadly force.
As a tarot reader, when I pull the 10 of swords for someone, it is a similar reaction as the death card. I always say, “don’t worry, you are like the phoenix, rising from the ashes.” What is your take on this card?
I've always considered 10 of Swords to be a minor arcana equivalent to Death.
When it comes up in a reading, I'm always curious about where they are in the cycle. How are those wounds sitting with them? Is there a sense of readiness to transition out, to grasp the Ace of Swords and move forward? Do they feel stuck, still acutely wounded? Being able to rise from the ashes is contingent on some level of integration, understanding, consciousness around what has led to this point. That's where I think things can get stuck, if we haven't fully grasped the insight, feel ready to let go, and move on.
Here’s another twist on this card from the modern witch tarot - it’s a bonus card in the desk you can replace the 10 of swords in the deck if you want to. The only difference is the name of the card changed:
https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/lisasterle/ten-of-swords-everything-is-fine-modern-witch-tarot/
Hah!! This is a great re-imagining of the card.
Do you alter your interpretation with this card in anyway? I can see how the imagery and title could draw out different meaning.
I think it feels a little more hopeful with the card title change.
I like that it invites the reader to contemplate the hopefulness. I often find that beginner students or clients miss those aspects in the classic depiction, the dawning of the new day, the hand of benediction. It's subtle, so not so surprising. It's easy to get pulled into an overly negative or fearful interpretation when the card comes up.
the creator of the deck says this in the book:
TEN OF SWORDS: Everything is fine. It’s fine. Really. Sure, you’ve been completely pierced through with ten sharp swords, and you’re collapsed into a ball on the floor. You’re struggling, just trying to survive, as the weight grows ever heavier. You’re going through something truly soul-crushing and it feels like your world is ending. Every movement hurts, and sometimes only a meaningless distraction feels like it’ll help. But the pain will end, and you will come out stronger having survived it.