The Nine of Swords is a card that comes up for those worrying, or feeling guilty or anxious. When I pull it in readings, however, it usually means for me to tell my client that they don't need to feel worried at all.
While there are most certainly certain situations where it's hard not to worry (a loved one is ill, you are at the beginning of sifting through a big change), those are times when it is important that you reach out to your support system.
Allow others who are already reaching out to help you. If you don't have anyone immediately around you, try to reach out to who you can, whether it's a professional of some sort, or a non-profit. There is someone who will help guide you through what you are feeling and be the life raft you need.
Oft times I pull this card when there is no need to worry at all, especially about relationships or about job situations. When we are worried where things are headed, that means we are forgetting to center and ground ourselves in such a way that we know we can handle anything.
When we are able to remember that we can handle anything and will figure out a way no matter what, we are able to be present in the moment and release the anxiety. Most times though, this card indicates that what you are worrying about isn't something you need to be worrying about at all, because things will work out. Regardless, it's important to take the time to remember your own fortitude.
If you still find you are being anxious, try to focus on practical tasks you have control over, while breathing. Then meditate if you can. Meditation, has a great galvanizing effect on negative emotions, no matter what is going on around you. Stilling your mind, and remembering that you are separate from your circumstances will actually help you when you step back in to deal with your circumstances.
The more we scatter ourselves when we feel nervous or anxious, the worse it feels, so do yourself a favor and take a moment to breathe. There are meditation apps, there are guided meditations on YouTube, there are guides where you can sit and cultivate the practice with yourself, but just taking any part of your day to put out the intention that you want to look after your own well-being, will go a long way.
Sometimes you feel anxiety for no reason. When you do, try to sit back and examine your life, and ask what you might be missing, or what you want to build up with yourself (and what you ideally want), and what you can do about it. If that doesn't give you a bit of forward motion away from your anxiety (and it takes leaning in to make things happen usually to alleviate it), then maybe talk to a professional.
Sometimes we have things that we have buried from our past lodged deep in our system that we need to process through talking it out, or writing it out, to understand and release and heal. There is no shame in it. Just look at it as the way forward to more clarity, and a more stable, empowered, effective you. And give it the same gravity as one might use when saying they are taking Tylenol for a headache. This practice, along with meditation, can take you a long way.
Also, on a very practical level, make sure that you are eating enough. And eating right. Sometimes certain foods, like sugar, or coffee can trigger anxiety. Sometimes not eating enough, or in a properly regimented way, allows our blood sugar to fall to the floor, and when that happens we aren't able to think clearly either, and usually makes things seem worse than they actually are.
Herbal supplements, such as ashwaghanda, help with stress and focus. Taking multivitamins may also help because some side effects of vitamin deficiency also involve anxiety (and depression...like B vitamin deficiencies). Foods rich in magnesium help calm your system down. So do nuts, legumes, avocado, greens. Foods that are rich in antioxidants help as well.
