Well, I've had it. 
The pandemic has reached the worst it has ever been. I wish I could say it's the worst it'll ever get, but honestly I thought that was four months ago. And six months before that. And six months before that. So really, who knows? On this date in time, the Omicron virus is spreading so rapidly that an hour ago my kids' school sent a notice that they were moving back to remote learning, effective immediately. They made it 80 days into the 21-22 school year before they had to call it. They just don't have the staffing. Everyone has the virus.

On the plus side, I'm now in two kinds of therapy - talk and medical! I have been prescribed panic attack medication, anti-anxiety medication, anti-depressant medication, and the latest: ADHD medication. I am FLYING HIGH. It's great.

It is both these ups and downs that the reversed Nine of Swords represents. It is either intense fear and giving up (the viral worst!) or it could be a light at the end of a difficult tunnel (my new meds!) Or it's both! 

Don't mind me, I'm going to mow down on some potato chips and rewatch Groundhog day, because right now I feel like I'm reliving the past 700 days over and over and over again. 

Upright, the Nine of Swords is a card of anxiety, pain, and nightmares.

Reversed, it is often about seeing the light at the end of a tunnel, being able to let go of some of the anxiety and negativity, and taking help when it is offered.

However, in rare instances it might be even worse than its upright meaning, and could represent extreme night terrors or a complete nervous breakdown.
 
Questions answered by the reversed Nine of Swords:
Who? A guilty person 
What? A bad dream
Where? At the therapist’s office; at recovery
When? The first week of June; When the light at the end of the tunnel becomes apparent; nine days
Why? “Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.” ~Steve Maraboli
Yes or No? No. Do not start serious things now

The reversed Nine of Swords as:
…an action?

• Practice coping mechanisms
• Accept or ask for help
• Write in a journal

 
…a place in your house?

• A chair in the bedroom
• The light in a dark closet

 
…a place in your city?

• A tunnel
• A bookstore

• A recovery center
• A self-help group

…a place in the world?

• The Portland Underground
• Montreal, Canada
• Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland
• Spain 

…something to eat?

• Salty food
• Coffee
• Tapas
• Honey

…something to clean?

• The attic
• A dark drawer or cabinet

 
…where to find the missing item?

• In your bed
• Under the furniture

 
…a color? White, Yellow
 
…a movie theme? Learning to cope; accepting help

• Groundhog Day
• The Incredibles

 
…a new career?

• Early shift work
• Tunnel or cave maintenance
• Psychoanalysis

 
The reversed Nine of Swords
Before any card: Severe anxiety associated with (card)
After any card: Nightmares, Being frightened

Need to journal your worst nightmares? Pick up a copy of the Applied Divination Journal. With spaces for drawing, writing, and a helpful daily quote, this journal is... oh, what the hell. It's a blank journal. Just do whatever. I give up today.

​The Nine of Swords is a card of anxiety, pain, and nightmares. While not the worst card in the deck, it is nevertheless foreboding and very rarely divines anything positive. The person in this card is agony and loss personified.

It is a difficult challenge to find practical and simple answers to a card so involved with matters inside the head - but I will try not to get too Nine of Swords about it. Clear and annotated meanings do exist for this card.
 
Questions answered by Nine of Swords:
Who? The most anxious person 
What? A nightmare
Where? Your dreams
When? The first week of June; Nine hours; Anxious moments
Why? Situations we do not deal with right away can haunt us later
Yes or No? Oh gosh, no. No no no
 
Nine of Swords
​Before any card: Severe anxiety associated with (card)
After any card: Anxiety, nightmares, being frightened

The Nine of Swords as:
...an action?

• Record your dreams and nightmares
• Buy a new pillow or comforter
• Talk to a therapist

 
...a place in your house?

• The bed
• A frightening location, like a cluttered cabinet or a dark basement that gives you the heebie-jeebies

 
...a place in your city?

• A house of horrors
• A war memorial
• The couch at a therapist's office

 
...a place in the world?

• Czech Republic
• Switzerland 
• Liverpool
• Transylvania

...something to eat?

• Biscuits
• Spicy food
• Dark chocolate
• A gelatin salad

 ...something to clean?

• The basement
• A storage area that overwhelms you

 
...where to find the missing item?

• A place of nightmares
• A messy storage area

 
...a color? Black, blue
 
...a movie theme? fear, anxiety, insomnia

• Any horror film
• Spirited Away

 
...a new career?

• Mental health therapist
• Third-shift work
• Dream interpreter
• Barista

Nine of Swords combinations
With Hanged Man: A great sacrifice leads to anxiety and hopelessness.
With Ten of Wands: Taking on too much responsibility is a nightmare.
With Knight of Cups: A sensitive lover feels anxiety about a relationship.
With Three of Swords: Grief is overwhelming and unlivable. Seek therapy.
With Queen of Pentacles: An anxious mother or parent.