Situation As It Is 

Nine of Swords 

Briefly: An amount of inner tension that needs to find an outlet.

Full Meaning: When you draw this card you are experience a huge amount of inner tension that needs to find an outlet. The card depicts hands tied with rope, and that can represent how you may be feeling deep inside. You could feel you are in a stranglehold situation in various areas of your life and it may seem insurmountable at this time. However, this is quite a temporary state of affairs. All you really have to do is decide what it is that you really want to do about your life and current situation, and then start the wheels in motion to bring it about. This card is also about thoughts and how your thinking is strongly affecting your actions. If your thoughts are depressed, then you may find that you don't quite know just yet how to change anything. All is not lost. You just need to try to alter your thinking slightly and soon you will gain a new perspective. It is just a matter of a little time to allow the thought process to really sink in and then you can take the required action to do what it is necessary to change your life. The amount of time required may also very well correspond with the number nine, e.g. nine days or nine weeks or in the ninth month of September may somehow be relevant. Whatever you do, don't allow other people to make your decisions at this point in time, for you may be very misled and later regret whatever action you took that was not your own true wish.

Course of Action to be Taken 

Eight of Swords 

Briefly: A difficult situation to deal with.

Full Meaning: This can be a difficult situation to deal with. There may be restrictions in your life that you would like to be freed from. It is also a mentally stressful occasion that requires clarity of thinking and forethought to resolve. If you keep your wits about you and refuse to be depressed you will manage to sail through this time with flying colours and be amazed at your strength of will when you have come out of the other end of the fog and retrospectively look back on how well you handled yourself and the dilemma you had faced.
Endurance is the key to coping right now and your decisions may have far-reaching consequences. You will find you have matured throughout the process of dealing with your problems. You may have to let go of relationships and friendships and this will prove to be an unburdening for you and allow you the freedom to pursue your own goals.
Do not be dismayed by these goodbyes, for they are a necessary part of your new path to follow, unhindered by a lifestyle that had cramped your style and your latent talents.
Now you will start to blossom and to produce good works in whatever field you focus on right now. Allow flexibility in your thinking for fresh ideas and ways of doing things will open new doorways to your true destiny

New Situation that Will Evolve 

The Hierophant 

Briefly: A man of wisdom and vast experience of life. A guiding light in the dark, a kind and inspiring man you can call on for guidance and advice.

Full Meaning:

This major arcana card is one of a little mystery. The man pictured looks like he knows all the answers. He is clothed in regal attire suggestive of a link with royalty. He looks too like a religious man, perhaps a priest, and the sceptre in his hand is a symbol of mastery and possibly also magic.

He appears to be an elderly man, a man of wisdom and vast experience of life. He seems like a guiding light in the dark. If this card represents you, then you are quite likely at the stage in your life where everything is under control. You have walked the rocky road of life and have mastered the techniques to reach a time of achievement and satisfaction. You may have reached all your previous goals and can now sit back and perhaps rest on your laurels if that is what you choose to do. It is a time of equilibrium, balance and serenity. The troubles of the world are behind you, and now you can take the time out to rest without too many challenges ahead.

If this card represents someone in your life, you obviously look up to this person with great respect. He may have been, and still is, you best friend, your mentor, your confidante. He is a kind and inspiring man and you may have called on him for guidance and advice, which he gave with compassion and willingness. He may even be a spiritual guru who showed you the way when it was dark or in your hour of greatest need. He would have aided you in finding your path in life or gave hints of the mysteries that can often be hidden even from those who search for the meaning of life so compellingly. He is the keeper of the knowledge of life and will share it with those who seek it. He is the eternal philosopher and seeker of truth.

The keys can often be symbolic of new keys coming into your life, such as new house keys or car keys. It can also show you to be aware of where you leave your keys as you may find that you accidently misplace them, which can prove to be very inconvenient. As keys can represent a new direction you are about to take in life, this may suggest that the time is ripe to make significant life changes right now or in the very near future. This card can also represent marriage.