“The moment of betrayal is the worst, the moment when you know beyond any doubt that you’ve been betrayed: that some other human being has wished you that much evil.”
– Margaret Atwood
Rock bottom, betrayal, painful ending, total mental collapse
Overview
The Bitter Taste of Betrayal
If only all ending could be happy and fulfilling, but if they were then victory wouldn’t be so inspiring. This is one of those endings, where you just got plain fucked, and there’s nothing you can do about it. People do shitty things sometimes, and karma will hold them accountable. Other times it’s a situation that’s supposed to go flawlessly. Then suddenly the tables that were supposed to be bolted to the floor, turn.
Symbolism
The card depicts a figure lying face down on the ground, seemingly lifeless or defeated, with ten long swords plunged deeply into their back. The blades are arranged in a row, piercing from the head down through the body, with blood pooling around the figure on the barren earth. A red cloak or cape partially covers the lower body, perhaps as a final mark of dignity. The sky above is dark and stormy, filled with ominous black clouds, emphasizing despair and finality. However, on the horizon, a calm body of water stretches out, and—crucially—a sun is rising (or sometimes interpreted as setting), casting a golden glow that signals the beginning of a new day despite the apparent ruin.
Meaning
Rock Bottom
This is the end of all ends. It’s also the chance to die and be born again. Someone has sabotaged you and everything that you were creating. They burned your kingdom to the ground and killed its King– You. There is bitter failure, the collapse of your empire. This is the end of a road with no outlet.
Betrayal
They say the difference between a random act of violence and a crime of passion is the number of bullets in the body. In this case it’s swords, but still the meaning stands. Someone has made you their target for betrayal based on their own bullshit. Every knife in the kitchen drawer has turned you into a chopping block and left you for dead. Like guns, knives need a commander to create fatal wounds.
Painful Ending
While it’s not a glorious ending, it sure is enlightening. There will be no closure, or recognition for hard work. You have been skewered with the knives of someone you never suspected, but at least they did it beneath a beautiful sunset. Don’t let the other parts of your life be influenced by the destruction of this one and you will undoubtedly come back stronger and more merciless as you’ve ever been.
Total Mental Collapse
It’s amazing you made it this far despite being continuously dishonored. It seems all that sacrifice was for nothing. Finally, after struggling to walk as long as you have, you fall. The sacrifice of a martyr this world is painful to look at, but so much more painful to experience.
It’s time to really dispose of the parasites, the adversaries who are going great lengths to remove you from the equation. Sever your ties, be the bigger man. Rise to your knees despite being paralyzed, and begin again.
Ten of Swords reversed
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
— George Elie
“Recovery, resilience, rising again, war is over
Overview
Gravity is a tricky thing. In the upright positioned, the swords in this victims back would be pinning him to the floor. In the reversed position they would be more like a bed of nails, or simply fall out all together. Visually, the mountains and sea turns into sky, and the black and yellow can be perceived as water. This is where the symbology of the release of betrayal comes from.
Meaning
War is Over
Right now you’re standing tall after discord tried to tackle you to the floor. This is a moment of realization of the capacity of your indomitable human will. Look around and see the cannon fodder, mourn the dead, but keep moving forward knowing that peace is beyond the horizon.
Reconciliation
The person who stabbed you has returned, and stumbled upon your corpse. At the time you were barely conscious and the weight of everything was crushing you. In a moment of pity, regret or grief they kneel beside you and remove the swords from your spinal column. They‘ll help you patch the wounds, and apologize for putting you near death. Whether you can keep them out of your line of sight ever again, is its own healing journey.
Resilience, rising again
Have you ever face-planted into bedrock? It leaves you the worst kind of breathless. The oh my god, I’m hyper aware of my organs, kind of shock that tenses your muscles as well as your insides. Your lungs struggle to expand, the suddenly awareness of your spleen nearly rupturing.It’s ok, it’s not vital anyways.
Take a moment to recover, then look up at the task at hand. Be prepared to lose your fingernails, but be brave. There’s something poetic about rising from rock bottom, despite of the blood and. mud that will be stuck under your finger nails (if you don’t lose them on the way up. It’s ok they’ll grow back). On the other side of this hell pit you will know strength you never could fathom before.
Resisting an ending
Despite all the pain and agony, you’re clinging to the past. There have been multiple opportunities to bow out and stop living in so much agony but you’ve simply kept persevering. There’s a difference between having strength to endure and making unwise decisions. Eventually if you don’t take your bow, you’ll be forced to your knees and slaughtered.
Start of a new Cycle
Once you inevitably move on from everything horrible happening to you, your new cycle will begin. Go forth this time and when you sense danger is near, keep your back to the wall. Learn from this experience and you’ll never have to re-live it again.
Below the Bottom
Did you know rock bottom had a basement? Well, you’re about to find it. You’ll also find the wine cellar, the old well and the catacombs beneath that if you don’t find the strength to stand today.
Said from experience.
