The Nine of Swords is the card of extreme stress, nightmares and negative influences. It is also a card of painful endings. The Five of Swords indicates conflicts, hostility, defeat and dishonor. The energy of the Five of Swords is very disruptive and it manifests as chaotic energies and people acting out of self-interest. The combination of the Nine of Swords and the Five of Swords in a tarot reading generally suggests a situation of extreme mental anguish that is likely to cause conflict and discord.
The elements of the cards are Air (Nine of Swords) and Air (Five of Swords). Air with air tend to reinforce each other's qualities and themes, such as intellect, communication, logic, and mental clarity. In this case, we have two rather difficult swords cards. This combination suggests a challenging and emotionally charged situation that requires you to be mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and actions. You may need to confront your fears and insecurities, seek support and guidance, and be prepared to stand up for yourself and assert your boundaries if necessary.