Tarot of the Month: Nine of Swords
Upright Meaning
The Nine of Swords is a card that represents fear and anxiety. It embodies stress, burdens, negative thoughts and unhappiness. The querent could be feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope amidst difficult situations or life in general. The Nine of Swords is a card of mental anguish, remorse, regret and despair. It can also represent loneliness, insomnia or nightmares.
Reversed Meaning
When the Nine of Swords is reversed it represents coming out of a dark period of one’s life. It signifies recovering from depression or mental illness, letting go of negative and pervasive thoughts, releasing stress and learning to manage one’s emotions. Alternatively, it can also mean a worsening mental health condition, based on the cards around it. It can also indicate gossip or overwhelming negativity by those around you whether it is in your personal life or your career. The Nine of Swords reversed is a card of night terrors, hallucinations or psychosis.
March Moon Phases and Star Signs
Mercury goes into Retrograde on February 25, 2026
Full Moon in Virgo on March 3, 2026 (6:38 AM EDT) TOTAL ECLIPSE
New Moon in Pisces on March 18, 2026 (6:23 PM EDT)
Mercury stations Direct on March 20, 2026
New Moons are most commonly known to represent new beginnings. It is ideal to perform any manifestation magic at this time because with each day after the new moon, the size of the moon increases until it is full. Witches that are known to work with darker energies refer to this moon as the Dark Moon and use this time to work with enemy retribution, justice and revenge magic.
Full Moons are the most well-known and easiest to spot since it is most visible in the night sky. Full moons typically last three days; the day before the full moon, the day of the full moon and the day after. This is when the moon reaches its most potent energy and is the perfect time for any type of magic that requires a lot of celestial power.
Total Lunar Eclipse occurs when the position of the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. This is also known as a Blood Moon, which it was named due to reddish hue of the moon’s shadow. Being that the Total Lunar Eclipse is in Virgo, this energy assists in endings and emotional release, which allows the opportunity for introspection, transformation and letting go.
Pisces Season (February 19 – March 20) – If your birthday falls earlier in the month of March, you are a Pisces. As a water sign, Pisces are known as a dreamer and healer of the zodiac. They are known to carry with them the energy of compassion, who love to imagine, dream and create art.
Aries Season (March 21 – April 19) – If your birthday falls towards the end of March, you are an Aries. The fiery nature of Aries is full of confidence and determination. Known as a trailblazer, Aries are known to be fighters that live fearlessly in order to put things into motion.
Mercury will be going into Retrograde on February 25th and will not become Direct until March 20th, 2026. When a planet goes into retrograde, it is a period of time when that planet is no longer facing Earth and therefore, its energies will no longer be affecting our everyday lives. It is normally seen as a time of rest, where the planet goes on vacation. Since Mercury is the planet of communication, it can affect everyday occurrences. Think ANY form of communication, including the tools we use on a day-to-day basis, including vehicles and electronics. When Mercury is out of sync, you can expect delays in plans or communication, experience unwanted communication, or electronics malfunctioning. It is also best not to get involved in new relationships or sign any contracts during this time period, since that energy will linger through the course of the agreement terms.
Welcome to a Land of Mystery where the darkness is not your friend. A place where in the shadows lurks the wild. Step forward and let the Mist of Secrets devour you, if you dare…
Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.
– Seamus Heaney
Spiritual Folktails 