The Tarot of Eli, LLC-Minor Arcana: Thoth Tarot-9 of Swords-Cruelty & The Medieval Feathers Tarot-Nine of Swords

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Above all things, know thyself!

#9. In thought word and deed, I rest my life, from day to day, upon the sure foundation of eternal being.

If you find that you can't read the whole of this lengthy blog, you are practicing a programing of self-cruelty.

🜏 Thoth 9 of Swords — "Cruelty"

Yesod in Yetzirah — Mars in Gemini

The Nine of Swords is one of the most disturbing cards in the Thoth Tarot. The nine chipped, crooked blades drip with poisoned blood, a visual metaphor for thought turned venomous — for the intellect become an instrument of self-destruction. Mars, the planet of aggression and raw force, in the dual sign of Gemini produces a raging, restless energy without purpose or aim. This is the storm of the lower mind unrestrained, the intellect weaponized against itself.

Behind the swords, the chaotic tangle of jagged lines suggests a brain fractured by obsession and anxiety — a mind devouring itself through cruel narratives and parasitic beliefs. This is Yesod in Yetzirah, the astral foundation corrupted by distorted patterns, where formless thought becomes form — and that form is one of torment.

🜃 Psychological Cruelty — The "I Ain’t" Program

This card exposes the great danger of unmastered thought: its capacity to enslave the self. In its most degraded expression, the Nine of Swords is the voice of indoctrination that whispers, “I am not enough,” “I am broken,” “I am unworthy.” It is the I Ain’t program — the slave-driver archetype implanted in the psyche to sever the will from its divine source.

Modern culture feeds this program relentlessly. Through media hypnosis, rhythmic slogans, and carefully engineered pleasures and pains, our collective Yesod is conditioned to accept falsehood as truth and to reject the wisdom of the body. Mars in Gemini here is the industrial machine of distraction and division — an endless barrage of mental noise designed to scatter the twin pillars of thought.

This is cruelty not inflicted by external enemies, but by one’s own mind turned inward as an executioner.

🜂 Hermetic Insight — The Shadow of the Sword

On the Qabalistic Tree, the number 9 corresponds to Yesod, the Foundation — the astral womb through which all higher forces pass into manifestation. It is also the lunar sphere, the realm of dreams, illusions, and subconscious programs. When Mars (Geburah’s severity) enters this sphere through the mutable air of Gemini, it produces a storm of fragmented, hostile thought-forms that corrode the astral body from within.

The poisoned swords represent not only destructive ideas but the misuse of the Sword of Ruach — the discriminating faculty of the mind. In Qabalah, the sword is the weapon of the sephirah Geburah, meant to sever falsehood from truth. But when turned inward, that same blade cuts the very soul that wields it. Thus the cruelty of this card is self-inflicted Geburic severity — the sword of judgment turned against the self rather than ignorance.

🜄 The Alchemical Task — Transmuting Cruelty into Discernment

Though terrifying, the Nine of Swords is not without purpose. It is a mirror showing the magician the price of leaving the mind unguarded. It is the warning that every thought is a spell, and when repeated, becomes a reality.

The task here is to consciously reclaim the sword — to direct Mars’ force not toward self-flagellation but toward the severing of false narratives. Gemini’s dual nature must be reconciled: the mind must stop warring with itself and learn to serve the Will (Thelema).

• Meditative Practice: Observe the inner speech. Each time the mind utters “I am not,” replace it with the Hermetic affirmation: “I AM — and I choose.”

• Ritual Work: A purification rite in Yesod — perhaps invoking Luna’s light to wash away poisonous thought-forms — can help dissolve the astral cruelties that have taken root.

• Magical Weapon: The Sword must be honed, not to wound oneself, but to cut through illusion. When wielded rightly, the same mental force that once tormented becomes the sword of liberation.

🜁 Light and Shadow

• Shadow: Obsessive thought, anxiety, guilt, shame, indoctrination, self-hatred. The mind as tormentor.

• Light: Liberation through mental discipline. Severing falsehood. Awakening discernment. Reclaiming the Sword as a tool of Will.

In the end, the Nine of Swords is a stark initiation: the ordeal of confronting the mind’s cruelty and choosing to rise above it. Once mastered, the poisoned blades become instruments of clarity — and the cacophony of indoctrination is silenced by the still voice of the True Will.

Assigned to the 9 of Swords is Mars in the house of Geminin. In astrology, the position of Mars in a specific house can influence various aspects of an individual's life. When Mars is in the house of Gemini, it brings a dynamic and communicative energy to the person's personality. Here are some characteristics associated with Mars in the house of Gemini:

1. Energetic Communication: Mars in Gemini enhances verbal expression and communication skills. Individuals with this placement are often energetic speakers, quick thinkers, and may excel in debates or public speaking.

2. Intellectual Drive: There is a strong drive towards acquiring knowledge and information. These individuals may be intellectually curious, always seeking new ideas, and enjoy engaging in mentally stimulating activities.

3. Restlessness: Mars in Gemini can contribute to a restless and changeable nature. There may be a desire for variety and diversity, both in relationships and experiences. The person may get easily bored and seek constant mental stimulation.

4. Active Learning: Learning through practical experiences and hands-on activities is emphasized. Mars in Gemini individuals may thrive in environments that allow them to actively participate in the learning process.

5. Adaptability: These individuals are adaptable and flexible, able to quickly adjust to changing circumstances. They may enjoy challenges that require quick thinking and versatility.

6. Expressive Passion: Mars represents passion and drive, and in Gemini, this passion is expressed through words and ideas. The person may be passionate about sharing their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs with others.

7. Social Energy: Mars in Gemini individuals tend to be social and enjoy networking. They may be active in social circles, and their energy is often directed towards building connections and forming diverse relationships.

It's important to note that the overall interpretation of Mars in Gemini can vary depending on the entire birth chart, as well as other astrological factors and aspects. Individual experiences may differ, and these general characteristics provide a broad overview.

🜏 Cruelty — The House Divided Against Itself

Thoth 9 of Swords — Yesod in Yetzirah, Mars in Gemini

Cruelty is a house divided — a mind at war with its own dweller. The nine poisoned swords of this card do not merely point outward as weapons; they are turned inward, piercing the psyche with its own judgments. This is the tragedy of the human mind under indoctrination: the I AM of Divine Will split into “good” and “bad,” “worthy” and “unworthy,” and thus set against itself.

This inner division is not a natural state. It is engineered. It is the false binary seeded into Yesod by centuries of dogma, cultural hypnosis, and corporate sorcery. The moment we accept the lie that our body — the sacred vessel of Spirit — is “bad” unless clothed in designer fabric, or that our worth is measured by wealth and approval, we have allowed the Sword of Geburah to cut our soul in two.

🜃 The Indoctrinated House — The Egregore of Cruelty

Western Hermeticism names such collective psychic structures egregores — thought-forms sustained by the belief and worship of many. The Christianized egregore of “fallen flesh” and “original sin” has, for centuries, whispered that the naked human body is shameful, and only redeemable when hidden, controlled, or adorned by those who claim to speak for God.

In our age, this egregore has been refined into a global machine. Corporate magicians use the same principle of word as spell and image as sigil to imprint a new gospel: “You are not enough unless you buy.” The flesh is no longer called “sinful” — it is called “unfashionable,” “unfit,” “unworthy.” And so the same cruelty persists: the body is rejected, and the Will is severed from its temple.

This is Mars in Gemini at its most insidious — not a noble warrior’s blade, but a swarm of tiny cuts, a million divisive messages that fracture the psyche into consumer and consumed.

🜂 The House Reunited — Alchemy of Self-Acceptance

Yet the very nature of cruelty is that it cannot exist without duality. A house divided against itself can also be reunited — and the Nine of Swords reveals how. The poisoned swords, when recognized, can be melted down and reforged into the Sword of Truth. The magician’s task is to expose each indoctrinated idea to the light of the Ruach and say: This is not mine. This is not my Will.

The “bad body” narrative dissolves when we remember the Hermetic axiom: “That which is above is like that which is below.” Your flesh is not an obstacle to Spirit — it is Spirit in condensed form. Nakedness is not shame; it is the original vestment of the Divine. Money, fame, and status are not proof of worth; your worth was sealed in Tiphareth before you were born.

By reuniting the mind and the body — the “above” and the “below” — the cruelty of division gives way to the compassion of integration. The house becomes whole again, and the Will dwells within it as sovereign.

🜁 The Magical Formula of the 9 of Swords

• Qabalistic Sphere: Yesod (Foundation) — the astral matrix where thoughts become forms.

• World: Yetzirah — the formative world of mental patterns.

• Astrology: Mars in Gemini — aggression scattered into dualistic thought.

• Light Expression: Discernment, purification of mental poison, reclamation of Will.

• Shadow Expression: Self-hatred, internalized oppression, mental division, shame.

Ritual Key:
Stand naked before a mirror and declare aloud: “This is the Body of Spirit. This is the Temple of Will. Nothing in Heaven or Earth may divide me from myself.”
In that act, you unsheathe the true Sword — the one that cuts illusion from essence — and the house once divided becomes the House of I AM.

*Egregore

The term egregore (or egregor) originates from the Greek word "ἐγρήγορος" (egrégoros), meaning "watcher" or "awake." In modern esoteric traditions, particularly within Western occultism, Hermeticism, and some interpretations of mysticism, an egregore is a collective consciousness or thought form that emerges from the energy and focus of a group of people.

Key Aspects of an Egregore:

1. Collective Entity: An egregore represents a shared psychic energy or spirit that is formed when a group of individuals focus on a common goal, ideology, or purpose. This collective energy takes on a life of its own, independent of the individual members.

2. Self-Sustaining: Once created, an egregore can grow and maintain itself by continuously drawing power from the group’s emotional and mental focus. It can exert influence back on the individuals, reinforcing their shared beliefs or behaviors.

3. Positive and Negative Manifestations: Egregores can be constructive or destructive depending on the intentions and energy of the group. A positive egregore might be linked to shared goals like spiritual growth, social movements, or artistic collaboration, while a negative egregore can arise from fear, hatred, or toxic group dynamics.

4. Symbolic Representation: In occult traditions, egregores may be seen as invisible, symbolic entities or spiritual forces that serve to bind groups together—like religious congregations, political movements, or secret societies (e.g., the Freemasons).

5. Historical and Esoteric Origins: The concept can be linked to the Nephilim, the "Watchers" from ancient Jewish mysticism, who were considered a class of angels overseeing human affairs. In the context of modern esotericism, an egregore represents a blend of collective psychological energy and metaphysical principles.

Practical Application:

In metaphysics, working with egregores may involve rituals to either construct, feed, or dispel such entities, depending on their influence. Practitioners might use group meditation, rituals, or symbols to channel the energy of an egregore for a specific outcome. For example, in Western Hermeticism, an egregore could serve as a guiding or protective force for an order or magical tradition.

Log onto magickeli.com to find the Military Industrial Complex egregore banishing ritual.

In summary, an egregore is a thought-form or entity created by the collective consciousness of a group, country, religion and cult capable of influencing both the group and external reality. It is a central concept in understanding the metaphysical dynamics of group interactions and shared consciousness.

The "slave driver" program instituted by the Institutions of the Military Industrial Complex (Corporate egregore) cruelly whips you emotionally using word hypnosis and causing what we call "emotional pain" (an imagined concept) when you have gone outside the definitions installed and rules. Now you are divided, for as a whole self, you are Spirit-Mind-Body. Reject or ignore any one of the three, and you have lost all self-rule.

The cause of all your problems that occur in life are primarily the cause of the brain's cultural or environmental programs leaving you feeling powerless as your will falters in the face of assumed failure. You may even feel guilty and ashamed for your actions. For shame and embarrassment over mistakes made is part of the "slave driver" program and is often called "peer pressure". Truth is, we all make mistakes because we all must prove information by the in-form-action of it. Once it is proven to succeed in goal attainment, harm or nurture and not to succeed, we have acquired knowledge;

Everything is a failure until it isn't.

🜃 Cruelty as Improper Coding — Error and Correction

The human body is not to blame for this suffering. Sensation — the field of data our incarnate form receives — is not the enemy. In fact, sensation is the feedback loop of Spirit, informing us when the information we are using is erroneous. Emotional pain is the alarm bell that the coding is wrong — that the mental program running through the astral matrix is not aligned with the original blueprint of harmony.

This has nothing to do with self-worth or personal failure. It is the simple fact that the psyche is operating on false data. Sensation is not punishment — it is the compass pointing us back toward truth.

In this light, 50% of Wisdom is error, and the other 50% is the correction of that error. Cruelty, then, is not a sentence — it is a stage in the alchemical work. It shows us precisely where our information is corrupted so that we may rewrite it in alignment with Divine Will.

🜂 Persona and the Mask — The Great Cruel Joke

One of the deepest cruelties is mistaking the persona for the Self. “Persona” — Greek for mask — was never meant to define us. It is a tool, a costume worn by Spirit to act within the theatre of the world. But when the mask begins to dictate identity, the psyche forgets its Solar origin.

You are not the brain, nor the bundle of programs that together form a “personality.” Those are instruments. They are the subconscious interface between the immortal Psyche — the Soul — and the body. Your consciousness is not produced by the brain; it is seeded from the Supernal Triad — Will (Kether), Wisdom (Chokmah), and Understanding (Binah). The body and brain serve as transmitters, not creators, of that Light.

To let the mask define the Self is indeed a cruel joke, and one of the most insidious forms of indoctrination. The moment you accept the falsehood that you are your conditioning, you have surrendered your sovereignty. The Nine of Swords exposes this lie so you may reclaim the Throne of Will.

🜄 Reclaiming the House — Will Over Program

Here lies the supreme magical key of the Nine of Swords: Will can override the program.
Because Will is of Spirit — not of flesh — it stands above all conditioning. At any moment, you may choose to withdraw consent from a thought-form and rewrite the script. Mars’ blade, once poisoning the astral field, can be seized and wielded consciously to sever falsehood from truth.

This is the great alchemy of Cruelty: what begins as division ends as discernment. The poisoned swords become the sword of the Magus — no longer cutting the Self apart but cutting through illusion.

🜁 The Magical Formula of Cruelty

• Sphere: Yesod — the astral foundation, where mental programs form bodies.

• World: Yetzirah — the formative world of thought-form and pattern.

• Astrology: Mars in Gemini — scattered aggression, duality, mental warfare.

• Shadow: Anxiety, shame, self-rejection, indoctrination, cruel self-talk.

• Light: Correction of error, sovereignty of Will, discernment, reclamation of True Self.

Hermetic Practice:
In meditation, trace the origin of a cruel thought backward. Ask: “Who wrote this code?” If it did not arise from your conscious Will, it is not yours. Banish it. Speak aloud: “I am the Soul — not the mask. I am the Will — not the program. I am the I AM.”

Many of us can recover from cruel treatment by others, but we flounder around in self-pity when our own programing/coding is cruelly based on a foundation of "good/bad".

🜝 Medieval Feathers Tarot — “Cutting Through Falsehood”

The Medieval Feathers Tarot – Nine of Swords echoes the same theme of division and liberation but tells it through the language of courage and self-confrontation. Eight swords stand as veterans — they have seen every battle, faced every fear. But the new sword at the center trembles before the unknown. It must learn bravery, and here the Carolina Wren’s feather — a symbol of boldness far greater than its size — offers support and resolve.

This imagery speaks directly to the necessity of cutting away indoctrinated falsehoods of self-identity. You cannot wait for fears to disappear; they must be faced. The challenges before you will not resolve themselves. They are the swords that shape your mettle, and only by confronting them will you learn who you truly are.

If Reversed: You may be neglecting a task or project that requires your full commitment. Half-measures erode trust — especially trust in yourself. To abandon your own promise is to sharpen the swords against your own heart. Only by honoring your Word can you transform cruelty into strength.

🜞 Synthesis — From Cruelty to Clarity

Across both decks, the Nine of Swords is not a message of doom but a mirror of the mind’s most dangerous illusions:

• The illusion that sensation is punishment, rather than feedback.

• The illusion that persona is identity.

• The illusion that indoctrinated programs are the Self’s voice.

All of these must be faced and cut away.

Mars in Gemini gives us the sword — the power to sever. Yesod offers the field where new patterns can take root. Together, they demand that we stop using the blade against ourselves and start wielding it with precision. Cruelty, in this light, is not the end — it is the beginning of sovereignty.

Shadow: Shame, self-hatred, anxiety, indoctrination, division, mental poison.
Light: Discernment, correction, sovereignty, courage, liberation from falsehood.

Invoking the Ruach (רוּחַ) as the rational, analytical, and consciously directive aspect of the Soul can absolutely aid in the correction, transformation, and alchemical elevation of the fearful subconscious patterns represented by the Thoth 9 of Swords.

Understanding the Soul in 5 States (Western Hermetic Qabalah)

In the Western Hermetic model, the Soul is divided into five distinct layers (sometimes aligned with the Four Worlds plus a transcendent fifth). These are:

1. Nephesh (נפש) — the animal soul, instincts, desires, and subconscious urges.
2. Ruach (רוּחַ) — the rational mind, intellect, and self-reflective awareness.
3. Neshamah (נשמה) — the higher intuitive soul, divine inspiration.
4. Chiah (חיה) — the life-force, or primal will for divine connection.
5. Yechidah (יחידה) — the unified divine spark, total Oneness.

The 9 of Swords in the Thoth Tarot

The 9 of Swords, Cruelty, sits in Yesod in Yetzirah. This is the subconscious/emotional realm of Air, directly impacting the foundation of our psyche (Yesod). It is the realm where fearful thoughts coagulate into oppressive internal narratives — a psychological "Hell Realm" within the astral body. This card shows what happens when Nephesh dominates Ruach, and the intellect is twisted into serving fear rather than illuminating it. This creates the self-torture of distorted thinking patterns — fear feeding thought, and thought feeding fear.

Applying Ruach to Correct the Cruelty

The Ruach’s highest role is discrimination — the ability to separate truth from illusion, reality from projection. When a Magus activates Ruach to analyse and dissect the contents of subconscious fear, they are not simply thinking about fear. They are applying the Hermetic formula of Solve et Coagula — dissolving fear into its component thoughts, stripping them of emotional charge, and then reconstructing a new narrative aligned with Neshamah (the higher soul).

This is the rational mind acting as an exorcist, evoking the fearful thought-forms into consciousness and confronting them with rational, illuminated understanding. This is a Hermetic and Thelemic act of True Will, because Will is always directed by clear sight (Ruach). It transforms Nephesh’s fearful instincts into conscious self-mastery.

The Alchemical Process — Ruach as the Inner Mercury

Ruach corresponds to Air and Mercury (Kokab), meaning that language, symbol analysis, and naming are its primary weapons. This aligns beautifully with the process of interpreting the nightmares or cruel thoughts of the subconscious — through journaling, Tarot reading, dream interpretation, and verbal invocation. By naming the fear, we reframe it and remove its power. This is the classic binding of the demon in magical practice.

Tarot and Ruach as Corrective Tools

Since the Tarot itself is a symbolic language (the Alphabet of the Magi), it becomes a perfect Ruach tool to:

• Draw the subconscious into form (card pulls from the subconscious)
• Analyse its meaning using Hermetic correspondences (Kabbalistic, astrological, alchemical)
• Apply corrected symbolism to reprogram the subconscious (ritual spellwork, affirmations, symbolic meditation)

This is the Mystical Marriage of Ruach and Nephesh, creating the Philosopher’s Child — the purified Tipherethic Self, capable of higher divine communion.

Hermetic Practice Example

Here’s a practical structure using Thoth Tarot and the Ruach for correcting subconscious cruelty:

1. Divination to Unmask the Fear (Nephesh)
   • Perform a 3-card pull: Source of Fear (root), Current Impact, Higher Correction.
2. Rational Analysis (Ruach)
   • Use Qabalistic correspondences (Sephiroth, elements, astrology) to analytically decode the symbolism.
   • Journal about the irrational beliefs shown — What stories am I telling myself? What evidence supports or refutes this?
3. Ritual Reprogramming
   • Craft a corrective symbol, sigil, or mantra based on the Ruach insight.
   • Perform an evocation where the fear is called forth into a symbol (the 9 Swords themselves can be evoked into the circle), then transmuted with Divine Names of Mercury and Air (YHVH Elohim, Raphael).
   • Affirm the corrected narrative daily until the symbol fully anchors.

Final Note — Ruach Must Serve Neshamah

Ruach’s ultimate authority is not itself — it should take orders from Neshamah, the Higher Soul, which perceives divine truth directly. This prevents Ruach from becoming coldly analytical or trapped in rationalized fear. By invoking the Light of Tiphereth (Solar self-knowledge), Ruach acts as a beam of clarity, cutting through the fog of Nephesh and exposing the inner demon’s illusionary nature.

In short — working with Ruach to dissect and reconstruct the thought-forms behind the 9 of Swords is not only possible, it is part of the Hermetic path of Self-Initiation itself. This is the Work of Air — to clear the mists so the Sun (Higher Self) can shine through.

click on above button to find the Ritual of the Ruach: Unmasking and Transmuting the Inner Cruelty (9 of Swords)

9 is considered a number that denotes completion in Tarot and is also the number of the 9th Sephira Yesod-Foundation, on the Tree of Life. Yesod is on the middle pillar of the Tree of Life and thereby offers us the necessary insight to rectified the imbalances of the past energy disorders of Air/Intellect. This, however, does not rectify the degeneration of the energy as it continues down the Tree. In this position, all-actioned Mars can't stay balanced in the house of all-talk Gemini.

In gematria, the number 9 carries several characteristics and symbolic meanings, rooted in Jewish mysticism, numerology, and biblical traditions. Here are some of the key characteristics and implications of the number 9 in gematria:

1. Completion and Finality

• Cycle of Completion: The number 9 is often associated with the end of a cycle or a phase, representing completeness and fulfillment. It is seen as the last single-digit number, symbolizing the culmination of processes and the attainment of goals.
• Ultimate Fulfillment: It indicates a state of reaching the fullest potential or the final stage before a new beginning, aligning with the concept of transition and transformation.

2. Truth and Wisdom

• Embodiment of Truth: The number 9 is linked with truth and enlightenment. In Hebrew, the word for truth (אמת, "Emet") has a numerical value that reduces to 9, symbolizing the ultimate and unchanging nature of truth.
• Pursuit of Wisdom: It is often associated with deep wisdom and the pursuit of higher knowledge, reflecting a journey towards understanding profound truths.

3. Divine Attributes

• Spiritual Significance: In Kabbalistic/Qabalistic thought, the number 9 corresponds to the sephirah Yesod on the Tree of Life. Yesod represents the foundation and the channel through which divine energy flows into the physical world, highlighting the number's spiritual importance.
• Connection to the Divine: Yesod serves as the intermediary between the higher and lower realms, symbolizing the flow of spiritual insights into material existence.

4. Humanitarianism and Generosity

• Service to Others: The number 9 is often associated with humanitarianism, altruism, and a strong sense of duty towards others. Individuals influenced by this number are driven to help and uplift humanity.
• Compassion and Empathy: It embodies qualities of compassion, empathy, and a desire to contribute positively to the world, reflecting a selfless nature.

5. Biblical and Mystical References

• Biblical Symbolism: There are several instances in the Bible where the number 9 holds significance, such as the nine fruits of the Spirit in the New Testament and the nine beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. These references underscore its spiritual and moral importance.
• Mystical Interpretation: In Jewish mysticism, the number 9 is seen as a powerful and mystical number, often representing the hidden and esoteric aspects of the divine.

6. Mathematical Properties

• Intrinsic Patterns: The number 9 exhibits unique mathematical properties. For example, any number multiplied by 9, when its digits are summed, results in 9. This property symbolizes the idea of completeness and the cyclical nature of life.
• Self-Reflecting Nature: This characteristic of consistently reducing to itself highlights the number's self-reflecting and unchanging nature.

7. Hebrew Letters and Words

• Teth (ט): The Hebrew letter Teth corresponds to the number 9. It symbolizes goodness, concealment, and potential, often associated with the duality of good and evil.
• Transformation and Potential: Teth also represents the concept of transformation and the hidden potential within every individual and situation.

8. Dual Nature

• Good and Evil: The number 9, represented by the letter Teth, is often associated with the duality of good and evil. It signifies the potential for both positive and negative outcomes, depending on how one channels their energies and actions.
• Moral Choice: This dual nature underscores the importance of moral choices and the potential for transformation and redemption.

In summary, the number 9 in gematria is imbued with rich symbolism and profound meanings, encompassing themes of completion, truth, wisdom, spiritual significance, humanitarianism, and the intrinsic duality of existence.

As Crowley has stated, this card represents, "the character of the inquisitor" ("programed slave driver cruelty"); it seems intellectual but is operating in a rage that is without restraint. All this sounds just awful and terribly gloomy, yet it is the cultural foundation of "Divide and conquer" indoctrination technique that society has become so used to that we are unknowingly dividing our trinity of consciousness into subconscious, consciousness, and unconsciousness, making each counterproductive to the other, when all are really One Consciousness of 3 aspects: one Spirit- Mind-Body collective of Self. As we all know, a consciousness divided must fail to produce viable options.

Our consumerism society is based on "fanning the flames" of that primitive raging hunger of survival thinking that hides the mind virus parasite of antilife (mind virus) that resides in our subconscious to produce the "fanatical shopper" whose world is always lacking self-fulfillment and whose survival or happiness depends on the next media induced sale or the latest gadget or toy.

Here the survival mind is an absolute servant of indoctrinated fear-based survival thinking: a false ego, while the conscious is falsely seeking freedom from fear by accumulation and trying to outrun time. In the Hindu philosophy this is the realm of the Neti-Neti (Sanskrit for, “Not This-Not That") programed consciousness, which consumes unrelentingly, hoping for happiness in a future accumulation; a futile seeking of happiness at any cost; this is futile, because happiness isn't in accumulation nor resides in glutinous bellies of greed induced consumption. Happiness is a balance of inner and outer beauty and or a harmonious melody of the 5 aspects of Psyche, and our Self Trinity of Spirit (Will)-Mind (Thought) and Body (Emotions).

So, if one is programed to exist in a Neti-Neti world, there is only one result in the completion of the patriarchal-egregore sponsored greed of such hungry poisoned thought and that is the insanity of inner self-cruelty where the slave master in our brain is running from and/or torturing our heart and body. This is called psychosomatic illness. You might want to remember that you are not the Soma (body) you are the immortal Psyche (Solar Self-Soul) who is not bound by time but binds time into forms of self-reflections. Hence you are infinite Life and build "lifetimes". Lifetimes have a measured end for they are the motion of forms for the purpose of Energy Self-Awareness. Forms are created by information. Hence your lifetime depends on the information in your brain/subconscious.

Above all things, know thyself!

I Am the Will and the way; I own the day!

Thankfully, many of us have enough strength in or character to know that happiness, is not a thing, but rather a "balance of Mind, body and soul" and have found out that by treating other people with respect, (do unto another as you would have done to you) rather than someone we have to conquer for our own false sense of security, we have a happier presence on this earth. It is best to understand the truth of Self, for "everyone I see is another way to be me", is the truth of the Oneself; the I AM-that we all are the "selves" of.

Therefore, it can be said that the 9 of Swords is the state of consciousness that is called "wanna-be", where one is not alive/happy until they achieve some future possession or goal which only leads to the next "thing".

This mind virus parasite operated person is a corpse, a zombie, who lives only in yesterday’s emotions and uncertain futures, leaving the moment of now vacant of their presence. It's best to put this false concept of self in a grave to rest in peace.

This phenomenon of “walking corpse" is not a new thing that some Hollywood director dreamt- up as the latest horror thriller. Rather, you'll find this "living dead" concept in the two-thousand-year- old Gnostic Gospel of Thomas that is part of the Nag Hammadi Library. In paragraph 56, of the Gospel of Thomas, it is written, "Whoever has come to understand the World has found only a corpse, and whoever has found a corpse is superior to the world”.

If you can understand this Gnostic statement, you can understand the self-abuse of indoctrinated thoughts depicted on the 9 of Swords-Cruelty. Because the practice of "Self-inflicted cruelty" and/or lack of respect for yourself, and your body is going on in most human brains right now, most of us constantly belittle ourselves, to appease our dogma or indoctrination, i.e., our inner Pavlovian- slaver programing. Thereby leaving a hole in our emotional identity, that we think we can fill by stuffing ourselves with corporate sponsored garbage food, things, and/or seeking someone else to fulfill our lives. This is not you! As Spirit-Mind-Body, you are Whole, hence, no holes to fill.

Due to indoctrination and dogma, we have forgotten we are the Life of the body, for we are the Pure Energy of Spirit (Vital lifeforce), who makes the body breathe! We are also the Pure Mind of Existence, the I AM.... and then to add even more Divinity to this perceived duality, we are also the Supreme Body Image of the Divine Creative on Earth!

"There is a Buddhist axiom that declares, 'Life is Suffering,' but this rings true only within the confines of survival-centric thinking, where fear of pain and discomfort overshadow the joy of embracing existence as a spiritual journey: a dance of Spirit entwined with the essence of Life. Indeed, our existence is a rich tapestry of mental and sensory experiences, yet we often sabotage ourselves by succumbing to doubts about our inherent worth in a world dominated by patriarchal structures designed to diminish rather than uplift.

The 9 of Swords reminds us that viewing oneself through the lens of lack perpetuates the cycle of frantic consumerism perpetuated by multinational corporations and the military-industrial complex. However, pause and reflect! Before any human judgment, your Higher Self or Solar Psyche had already sanctioned your existence. Thus, the timeless wisdom of the Qabalistic axiom resonates: 'Above all things, Know thyself.' It's a straightforward concept: you were deemed worthy by the Divine to partake in the miracle of life as a paradigm of self-awareness. Your mere presence is testament to your inherent value, approved by the dual forces of the Divine Creative — the Goddess Creatrix and God-Creator. We embody the myriad facets of Divinity, serving as the billions of faces through which the Divine perceives Itself.

You are the Divine's response to its own question of "what am I", originating from the primordial 'I AM.' The essence of creation lies in the assumption of Self, to be realized through intentional action. Therefore, when confronted with the symbolism of the 9 of Swords, cease questioning your existence and embrace your role as the answer. Action becomes the embodiment of your fiery spirit and will, while reaction often stems from the primal fear of being consumed by a hostile universe. 'I Am' boldly queries, 'What am I?' — and you, in turn, are the resounding response: 'I AM Life!' Our self-conception is entirely subjective, so dare to envision expansively and claim your divine birthright."

Therefore, to avoid programed thinking, I run in my self-doubting brain/ego a loop of "get over yourself and get on with you for impeccability is what we do". This "we" is Spirit-Mind-Body. This mental loop just overrides the "pity pot" of self-defeating thought every time it comes online. But installing that software loop took determination, and plain old fashion "jackass” stubbornness and constant repetition as a meditation of seconds, done most minutes, until it becomes automatic daily operation. Don’t you think it’s time we programed our own atavistic Wet Ware? That is the real occult message of the 9 of Swords.

ABOVE ALL THINGS, KNOW THYSELF!

This can't be said enough! The Spirit and Psyche (Soul-I AM) cannot die, they dream themselves into being image. They are energy in its never-ending state of One Energy that cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed. So, own the body, enjoy it and dance with it. For it is the Organic spirit-based Organism of Earth that also transforms self-identity according to your observation of I AM. It is our "material image" molded by our inner thought-filled emotions.

Spirit and Mind have wish to sense Self, the I AM, (Both Spirit and Mind) has created the Body just for Sensual Presence: a presence so necessary to experience the dream of I AM: a dream that takes data into intimate experience, turning it into information that becomes in-form-action that now can be experienced as "I AM Sensation" and thereby, producing intimate knowledge.

Therefore, it behooves one to respect the body, love it and know the joy of Being Sensual, for you can't give to another what you don't have for yourself. Besides, there is no way to "know yourself", without a body. You are pure light and Spiritual will-to-be. You are the energy that makes the body breathe (Prana), the nervous system transfers that energy around the body, making it an electromagnetic operating biochemical device, and an artificial intelligence you call "ego" and a Personality both of which you create, they don't create you for you are Life and bodies are measured in Lifetimes.

You are also the Universal Constant called Transformation; never-ending change; as your knowledge grows through experiencing Self, I AM, and you transform Self- Image to the new sum of information.

There is always change, so there is always a way out of doubt, shame, fear, and embarrassment. In other words, there is always light, even in the darkest places; YOU Are the Light That makes darkness operate in your name of I AM! You create thoughts, they don't create you! You are the alchemy of creation in active sensual intimacy.

I Am the Power that analyses. The Alchemical process of analysis begins with putrefaction, then dissolution and from dissolution into solution, and solution into coagulation using the bright warm fiery intelligence of the Celestial Self!

When the 9/Nine of Swords is thrown during a reading, the Querent will be or has been experiencing:

• Illness, malice, cruelty, pain, despair, and suffering, in a period of 9 days, or 9 weeks or from self-cruelty thought processes in the past when nine years old.
• There is burden, want, oppression, as well as subtlety and craft.
• There is also lying to oneself or others because of an "inferiority complex".
• All this dysfunctional thought is from "self-belittlement" that is often so subtle that we don't even acknowledge it in ourselves. But the program is clever, as you will notice whenever you try to mentally or physically, step out of "comfort zones", you will be challenged with worry and rational explanations on why you should not take that step.  
• Fear as a guide to maturity.
• Feeling like a victim.
• Enslaved by their own thoughts.

If ill defined by the surrounding cards:

• Shame.
• Guilt.
• Terror.
• Infamy.
• Misery.
• Hate.
• Manipulation.
• There is no cause for concern changes for the better are coming. 

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