Nine of Air, Nine of Swords

We've made it to the Nines!  Some of my favorite cards!

The Gaian Tarot Nines depict the qualities of mastery, solitude and wisdom (like that other #9, the Hermit) as seen through the elemental suits.

The RWS Nine of Swords is often called the "nightmare card."  In my own experience it has almost always represented deep grief.  In this image, we see a woman who is grieving, on a much deeper soul level than the distress of the 3 of Air.  Storm clouds billow behind her, mirroring her inner turmoil.  Yet she has gone to a sacred spot, and embraces a standing stone as if it were her mother.  She goes down deep into a trance state, letting her sorrow ground into the body of the earth.  And with her inner vision she sees the face of She Who Watches — the One who watches over her with love and compassion, always.

(Note:  She Who Watches is a petroglyph found near the Columbia River on the border of Washington and Oregon.)

Comments

[TarotByArwen]

I love this one, Joanna. Other things I felt when I looked at this were "stop sleepwalking.. be in the moment with intention even if the moment is full of anxieties."

This could be because I am in the middle of trying to coordinate a huge move and feel like I am trying to ignore what stresses me.

I can feel the smooth cold stone against my own cheek. Can't wait to hold this deck in my hands.

[Carolyn]

Hmm, this picture is so interesting. It actually looks to me like she is listening to the stone, listening for ... a new song. And I think song because the way that her hand is curved and reaching out, it almost looks like she is playing an invisible harp ... so is trying to pull forth from herself, from the natural world around her (seen in the stone), and from divine (seen in the wonderful petrolyph)a song of transformation, comfort, healing. This is a much more "active" card than in the RWS. It points to what we can do in such times of grief. To me it shows an active surrender to the forces beyond the self that allows for collaborative transformation of the whole. Wow, what a card!

[JulieZS]

A very powerful image that rings completely true to me. It reminds me very much of some of my experiences with the standing stones on our Avalon journey. Deep connection, surrender to what is real and true that we may not want to accept.

[joanna]

Arwen, mmm, "stop sleepwalking" -- love that. Carolyn, pulling forth a new song, yes. Love that too. Yes I try in all my cards (even the "negative" ones) to suggest a way out of whatever it is, that ails us. Even if that's just acceptance, as Julie says.

This particular standing stone is one in the Cottonwood Stone Circle at Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island. www.earthsanctuary.org One of my favorite places on the planet.

[Judy]

A powerful card. My whole body reacted to the images with grief.. but a gentle kind of grief. Thank you so much,Joanna,for placing something so solid to hang onto and something so etherial to feel the prescence of.. into my 'nightmares'. Judy

[Angelica]

All I can say is WOW! This card is so powerful!! Brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you.

[Shell]

It is a dreamy card with an edge to it. I like that. Even our darkest nightmares have something to heal us from. This card has that healing quality as well. Can't wait for the whole deck!!

[Steve Mills]

Wow really powerful image on this card. Really struck a chord with me, the essense of sorrow portrayed so beautifuly and truthfully.

I think I will explore a bit more of your work

[Indigene]

You have captured the true, raw and edgy emotion that is grief! You have to sit down and hold this, because you're drawn to do that when you see this image! Powerful.

www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

[joanna]

Judy, you are most welcome. Thank you, Angelica. "Dreamy with an edge" -- great description, Shell! thank you. Glad you like the card, Steve -- sounds like you are a new visitor? Welcome! Thanks also Indigene, I appreciate your words.

[Cynthia]

Oh my. I love this card that you've done. I broke into tears, which is a very good sign in my mind. Lovely and so evocative.

[James Wells]

Jumping Mother of Horus...just when I thought this deck couldn't get any better, out pops the Nine of Air. What a portal into the dark places of wisdom, Joanna. Brava!

[Rue]

Joanna--breathtaking!! I can FEEL this deck in my hands. Love, Rue

[joanna]

Cynthia, Rue -- oh thank you. James, you are hilarious!

[Derique]

Thank-you so much for all your work on these cards! I cannot wait until you finish so I may have them, physically, and not just emotionally. They offer so much more than being a mere divinatory tool, they offer a deep emotional healing and joy. This was my new moon card and it has offered much insight! Thanks again for doing all that you do and MORE! Bellisima!
Brightest Blessings. Peace, light & love!

[joanna]

Derique, thank you for your comment. I treasure it.

[Kate van Houten]

On receiving Joanna's joyous news of the signing the contract for publication of the full 78 cards plus book, I took a few minutes to review some of the cards I'd not spent time with. I wandered into the 9s, first drawn by the picture of Joanna, and then reviewing the others, going from bottom to top, ending with the 9 of Air.

This is such a clear image yet there are still depths to plumb. The woman looks familiar, and I, too, love that she has something solid to lean into and press against, being supported upright, standing on her own two feet in the grief.

Surrender and acceptance to pain is difficult, but rewardnging and liberating.

But what struck me is in my recent studies in Qigong learning that the lungs are associated with grief. Releasing Lung 1 for instance releases grief. Any qi work with the lung meridien, releases grief. Frees up the breath and breathing returns to normal. I'm still processing this information, along with the 9 of Air from your deck.

Lovely work, Joanna, and congrats on the contract!!