January 12-18, 2026
Ten of Swords
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
Lao Tzu
When I pulled this card today, considering the precariousness of everything, I had to remind myself not to despair. Instead, let us make this battle-scarred teacher and gatekeeper welcome. Say hello this week to yet another Ten–the Ten of Swords.
For people with even the most casual exposure to the Tarot, this week’s card is one they never forget. One of the most grisly-looking cards, the Ten of Swords is often dreaded. Admittedly, it’s not the happiest of all the Tarot images. So this is not the time to loosen your Wheel of Fortune Year seatbelts. The ride is still likely to be hazardous.
And yet…
With this card’s arrival, we’ve now had three of the five Tens, all in a row. And if you stretch back to late October, it’s four. That’s all the Tens except for the Ten of Cups.
As you may know, the Tens of each suit are the overflowing of that suit’s energy. With the Cups, for instance, it is the overflow–the zenith and then some–of love, emotional harmony, and happiness. Wouldn’t that be lovely for a change?
In the Ten of Swords, we see over-the-top anguish that’s so characteristic of the Swords, so much so that it is almost ridiculous. One Sword is quite enough to kill someone. Ten swords, stuck in the back, no less… well, you might say, “overkill.”
But remember that Swords correspond to the Element of Air. They tell us about our thoughts. They address communication, attitude, intellect, information, choices, and our perceptions. Not our physical reality. They are the stories we tell ourselves about things.
So, as the legendary late Rachel Pollack has pointed out, “This card does not represent death, or even especially violence. It signifies more of a reaction to problems than the problems themselves.”
This image shows us how we might respond when we are profoundly wounded in some non-physical way, like cruel gossip, lies, cheating, or other harm that comes, not from literal swords or weapons, but from the damage of people’s perceptions.
We may decide that no one can have ever suffered as much. Here is complete, absolute despair. Overwhelmed with pain, we face the absolute death, dead as can be, of an idea, relationship, project, aspiration, or situation with which we have lived for quite some time. There can be no doubt, no revival, no spin, no restoration or repackaging. No fingers crossed behind our backs. This card tells us to let it go; it’s really, really over.
Only with that total surrender, painful as it may be, can you then receive the secret gift within this card.
For notice that, unlike other Swords cards with turbulent, stormy waters, the lake or river in the background is peaceful. And, in contrast with, for instance, the Nine, with its completely black background, here the storm here has passed and day is breaking.
Even more telling, the victim’s right hand is making a sign of benediction and peace. In the last throes of this brutal death, forgiveness is given, understanding is reached.
When we have no choice, the only way is through. It’s time to process and resolve what has come to a very difficult, possibly ignoble ending.
Astrological Timings and Repeat Visits
Besides this being yet another Ten message about endings that are heading into the next phase, it also seems like we get this card all the time. But that’s not the case.
It hasn’t come visiting since August of 2022, when, as internationally acclaimed news expert and astrology authority Elisabeth Grace reminds us:
Biden gave a speech about fascism on the rise in the US — ignored by all 4 TV networks because it was “too political” and the DOJ released a list of classified documents found in the Mar-a-Lago loo.
It was a ginormous data dump on an opposition between Mercury and Jupiter, which we have THIS WEEK, too.
In addition, we are headed into the dark of the Moon, with the New Moon in Capricorn arriving on Sunday. As Elisabeth has explained in the past, at “the end of the lunar cycle, with no light from the Moon.. it’s not unusual to feel listless or restless in these dark hours, sensing something new is just around the corner, but we can’t see it. Clandestine meetings and other activities you hope will fly under the radar are apt.”
Just like our Swords victim.
But she also notes that:
There are tons of contacts among the kids in the sandbox this week, and things will continue to move at a rapid pace. One contact that jumps out at me is Eris, the Goddess of Discord, which turns direct. With Eris at a virtual standstill, a desire to burn down the whole building after being denied a place at the table blares like a car horn.
Taking action on this desire runs high around Friday, as aggressive Mars squares Eris. This square activates patterns in [the Felon’s] horoscope, affecting matters involving written documents, court opinions, publishing, foreign affairs, and his professional status.
Typically this particular pattern does damage to him, but backing him into a corner is likely to make him only more vicious and reckless in response.
(Here’s a little more information about Eris, from another week that featured the Ten of Swords, back in 2021.)
Could it be that there is a big ending coming for the lies that so many have bought into regarding him? Will the MAGA bubble finally burst in time to save us all from complete chaos and even the collapse of our civilization? Will the unvarnished truth of who and what he is penetrate even the most diehard cult members?
I would love for this to be the gift from this Ten, wouldn’t you?
Although if or when this happens, The Felon’s followers are likely to feel as betrayed and crushed as the figure in this card. But, as the Tarot always reminds us, things are constantly working towards the ultimate good. May it be so.
For All of Us
In what way are you being asked to face a defeat, perhaps even a very unfair loss? Is there some area in your life where you feel utterly betrayed and vanquished? What in your life has got to go, and go now, because all the life in it is gone forever?
Painful as it may be, only by so doing will we ever be able to take the next step, which requires the forgiveness of ourselves and even those who would do us wrong.
This week, with a powerful New Moon arriving, a convergence of intense astrological energies, and a world full of perilous upheaval, we are invited to prepare for a rebirth. But this cannot happen until what has come before is truly, completely released.
At this darkest time, the dawn is nearby. Only from ashes can the Phoenix rise. What might you become if you weren’t stuck with the status quo?
There is light and peace on our horizon. We need only let go of what is already gone.
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