(Thanks Alannah!)

http://www.templeilluminatus.com/photo/portrait-of-robert-louis-ste...

9 of Swords (The Nightmare has you...or do you have the nightmare?)

I did a little research on this one...about how Fenrir, son of Loki, we be free and devour Odin on the day of Ragnarock, only to have Vidar avenge his father and kill Fenrir, right?

The 9 of Swords often speaks of nightmares plaguing your sleep, taking control of your thoughts and life. But there is a Shadow slant that is quite positive....face your enemy head on instead of running.

The original painting suggests Odin will be the one to try and stop Fenrir, even though the wolf and his family would one day be responsible for the destruction of the world (according to the prophecy). Even though Odin may know that his "nightmare" of dying to the wolf, Fenrir, may happen...he also knows that Fenrir will be killed "followed by a rebirth of the Earth reemerging from the sea...and the 7 sons of the dead Aesir will return to Asgard and rule the universe". That sounds like taking control of your own life, on your own terms, and facing your fears head on to me ! 

Odin was a bad-ass ! And bad-ass guys like Odin don't sit around and wait to be devoured....they jump right in the mouth of the beast and say "You might take me down...but I'll take you down with me ! I hope I make you choke !"

That's the spirit of Shadowing the 9 of Swords...take your fears....and stick them up their asses ! Don't let another day go by where you are fearful of failing...how do you know you will fail...you haven't even tried to succeed first !

-Eric MLT