Ten of Swords Art and Meaning
A prostrate figure, pierced by all the swords belonging to the card.
About the Deck
Pivotal and canonical, this deck defined a new pattern that would be followed up to the present.
Provenance
Designed by A.E. Waite and Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. England, 1911.
Meaning of Ten of Swords from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck
Upright
Whatsoever is intimated by the design; also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation. It is not especially a card of violent death.
Reversed
Advantage, profit, success, favour, but none of these are permanent; also power and authority.
According to Many Schools of Thought
Papus's Divinatory Meanings
Uncertainty in the hatred.
A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings
Upright
Followed by Ace and King, imprisonment; for girl or wife, treason on the part of friends.
Reversed
Victory and consequent fortune for a soldier in war.
Mme. Le Normand's Divinatory Meanings
Inherited wealth. Business. Fortune. Journey on account of business. Travel.
S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings
Upright
Tears, Affliction, Grief, Sorrow
Reversed
Passing Success, Momentary Advantage.
P.R.S. Foli's Divinatory Meanings
Upright
Grief, loss of freedom
Reversed
passing trouble or illness.
Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings
good fortune in marriage; ill fortune at the gaming table. You will lose much money at gaming; at last you will give up the practice, and in ripe old age you will be blessed by the birth of a daughter, whom you will name Fortuna.