Day Ten, Nine of Swords, "Cruelty"

 

My Inference:

While other decks might dance around the theme, Crowley presents it unambiguously in the title: "Cruelty". There is no subtlety in the image, which plainly depicts nine swords dripping with blood. Drops of something else — tears, maybe? — flow in the background, evenly-spaced, as if their propagation was systematic and intentional. The image is capped by the Martian astrological symbol, implying that cruel energy is inherently masculine. For some reason I can't intuit, the sword lengths vary in a way that creates an arc with their tips. This may be a warning against indulging our cruel impulses, or it might remind us that the world, being shaped by men of ambition, is a cruel place.

Ziegler:

"Cruelty directed at yourself...Destructive accusations made by parents or teachers in your childhood continue...to affect you. But now you, yourself, have taken over the role of accuser."

For Ziegler, the Nine of Swords is a warning against self-condemnation. He further suggests drawing another card "to see how life will look when you accept yourself as you are"; but since we skeptics aren't interested in prophecy, we can simply place value in the idea of self-acceptance. We can determine how different life would be by meditating on possibilities. 

Rider-Waite:

The Nine of Swords is among the darkest cards in the Rider-Waite deck. Meanings include desolation, despair, failure, etc. Even reversed meanings are related thematically to fear of failure: suspicion, doubt, shame, etc. Their image of a woman weeping in her bed still agrees a little with Ziegler in that feelings of shame and doubt are inwardly directed.

Combined Reading:

Our fears and self-doubts gradually tear us down. Self-reflection and criticism are a double-edged sword; they can drive us to improve, or they can paralyze us. Use a "sword of discernment" to clarify whether our negative self-assessments are productive or destructive. 

Day Nine, Ten of Disks, "Wealth"

 

My Inference:

As one might expect from a card labeled "wealth", a pile of currency is depicted. In the foreground are ten gold and green coins organized in the pattern of the Sephiroth. I'm unfamiliar with the symbols, but they seem to be arranged by category, with astrological symbols at the crest, followed by Hebrew lettering, then esoteric geometric designs. Yellow and green are colors that convey a more organic than arcane vibe. The use of Kabbalistic designs suggest that we are to seek wealth in spirit, more so than material wealth. We might infer that if we live in accordance with our nature and principles, a "true" prosperity follows.

Ziegler:

The astrological signs are Mercurial, signifying communication. "The origins of any type of wealth lie in human consciousness". 

Ziegler agrees that "Mercury in Virgo represents an overflowing on spiritual, emotional, and physical levels", but goes on to warn that "These riches must be shared (communicated) if they are to remain valuable." He warns against hoarding, as it's a sign of fear and "poverty mentality".

Rider-Waite:

The traditional interpretation is more straightforward: Family/generational wealth, riches, etc. More divinatory — a portent of wealth, rather than an admonition to put wealth to generous use.

Combined Reading:

In this series, we're not interested in divination, only meditations. The Ten of Disks invites us to define for ourselves what makes us rich: internal blessings like talents, ideas, compassion, and strength, or things by which we are surrounded, like companions, resources, and safety. Then we must contemplate one step further, asking ourselves how we can spread the wealth we possess with others.