Readings
Two Cards
If you are trying to make a very important decision in your life and you don’t know which path to follow, if you are really doubtful about the consequences the crossroads tarot spread will help you to find your way.
Nine of Wands
Upright
Resilience, courage, persistence, test of faith, boundaries
The Nine of Wands comes as a symbol that even in the face of difficulty, you stay strong. You may be on the point of fatigue, but you are flexible, determined, and eager to do what it takes to make to the finish line.
This card may also show up when you feel damaged and beaten, having experienced big struggles. The Nine of Wands invites you to trust that this is only a test of your ‘courage’ and flexibility, and understand that every time you win an obstacle, you are getting more powerful. See this Nine as a promise that you will ultimately benefit if you maintain your posture.
Even if you desire to give up, this is your ultimate challenge before you attain your goal, so don’t let go of your hopes when you are so near to making them a truth.
On a more positive sign, you have people who help you. The Nine of Wands calls you to find your cheerleaders, those who will guard you against the ongoing difficulties and encourage you. Even if others doubt you, you have many more people who support your plan.
Get open on what you need in this state to be victorious and then talk those requirements to other people. On the same note, be aware that too many boundaries will block others from getting close to you. Bring your awareness to your proactively using boundaries to protect your energy.
Reversed
Inner resources, struggle, overwhelm, defensive, paranoia
The reversed Nine of Wands suggests that you are trying to keep going towards your purpose. The difficulties on your path are harsh, hitting you continuously. You may be ready to give up. Just know that you are very close to completing this difficulty. Gather your internal sources – your resilience, courage, motivation, and mindset and keep going.
The reversed Nine of Wands can also show up when you feel overwhelmed by your duties or lack the assistance of people around you. Know this is a temporary delay and make sure you do not take on any other responsibilities at this phase until you have more power over your concerns.
Finally, the reversed Nine of Wands can indicate paranoia, weakness, and anxiety that everyone is out to harm you. You may think you are under attack by the same group of people. Frequently, this is a hint of anxiety from inside you rather than a real external danger. Try to concentrate on your own play and don’t worry about what other people are thinking or speaking about you.
Queen of Swords
Upright
Independent, unbiased judgement, clear boundaries, direct communication
The Queen of Swords combines the mental clarity and intellectual power of the suit of Swords with the maturity and receptiveness of the Queen. You have the gift of being able to use your intellect and unbiased judgement while also remaining flexible and open to receive input from other sources. As you lead from the head and not the heart, you are better able to discern situations without the influence of emotion or sentimentality. You may believe that empathy or compassion towards others will distract you from the task at hand. Instead, you prefer to know the how, what, why, where, when and who of everything to help you make sense of your environment and better understand others. It is not that you do not care about others, but you connect with other people through an intellectual understanding rather than an emotional one.
The Queen of Swords notes that you are a truth-seeker. You are open to hearing the thoughts and opinions of others, but ultimately, you filter that information to decipher what is true and what is not. When interacting with others, you will not tolerate mistruths or excessive ‘fluff’. You prefer to get to the heart of the matter without engaging in too much chit-chat or gossip.
The Queen of Swords suggests that you have an innate ability to tell it like it is. You are a quick thinker and highly perceptive, piercing through the noise and confusion to get straight to the point. There is no ‘beating about the bush,’ or ‘softening’ of your comments, opinions and thoughts. You are upfront and honest in your views, and you expect the same from others. For this reason, many people respect your opinion and come to you for advice when they need clarity.
As a determined, independent and resilient person, you have established clear boundaries, and you are quick to call out someone who crosses them. People do not mess with you, not because you threaten them or inflict violence, but because you set expectations up front about how you want to be treated. Some people might be intimidated by you, but once they get past your tough exterior and develop a sense of trust and respect, they see your softer side.
Reversed
Overly-emotional, easily influenced, bitchy, cold-hearted
The Queen of Swords reversed points out that you may allow your emotions to get the better of you as you put your heart before your head. You may be emotionally involved in a particular issue, and it could be distorting your perception of the situation at hand. You need to use your head a bit more to understand what is happening and read the signals more accurately. Take an objective look at what’s going on and decide what you need to do next.
The reversed Queen of Swords suggests that your relationships are clouding your usually clear vision. You are allowing others to dominate you and negatively affect your ability to make decisions. You hesitate to pursue your plans because you don’t want to rock the boat or disrupt your relationships with others. At the end of the day, however, you need to be more hard-edged, confident and assertive to be successful. Sharp analysis, objectivity, and careful consideration of (but not necessarily choosing) the alternatives are essential right now.
At times, the reversed Queen of Swords can come across as cold-hearted, resentful and bitchy, particularly if she is devoid of any emotion or compassion for others. This card may represent a part of yourself or someone else you are trying to deal with. You may be putting others off-side and losing your supporter base, isolating yourself from others and being seen as narrow-minded, intolerant and mean.