A woman sits up in her bed, with her head in her hands. She is evidently deeply unhappy – possibly suffering from insomnia, extreme anxiety, possibly guilt. She is in darkness. Nine Swords seem to hover in the air – possibly they are mounted on a wall.
Her quilt shows designs of the Zodiac symbols, along with red roses. The roses signify passion.
The theme is dejection and despair. Something is troubling this woman during the night. It could be nightmares; it could be a guilty conscience.
Her agony is more mental or spiritual than physical. The Swords do not pierce her, as they do in Three of Swords and Ten of Swords. They hover threateningly, which perhaps may be even worse. At least in the Ten of Swords, the worst has happened. It’s over; the only way now is up.
Not so with the Nine of Swords. She doesn’t know what awaits her.
Author Rachel Pollack suggests that this woman is one of the 36 Righteous “Men” of Kabbalah. We’ll have to update that to Righteous Persons. According to this idea, there are 36 Righteous People who are unknown, but whose righteousness sustains the world.
Pollack doesn’t say how she arrived at this idea; I don’t see it myself. However, I greatly respect her knowledge and insights into Tarot, so I don’t dismiss the idea out of hand.
One feature of the idea of the 36 Righteous People is that they are anonymous; no one knows who they are. They might be the pizza delivery guy a Fool, or even a derelict. We never know who they are, but they keep the world going…
Even if this idea seems far-fetched, it suggests that we view others with respect. Maybe they’re not one of the 36 – but maybe they are. In any case, better to treat everyone with some kindness and consideration. You just never know…