The number nine is the number of the wisdom of the Moon.  It is also a mathematically magical number - its square root is three and the sum of any number multiplied by nine equals nine when added together (e.g.. 9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9).  Nines also represent attainment, integration, completion and bringing things to an end.  Nines are about the natural flow of things and things proceeding smoothly.  Swords represent the growth of the conscious mind; developing our thoughts, ideas and system of beliefs.  Swords are about acting on our philosophy of life.  The suit of Swords is associated with reason, thought, logic, will, courage, verbal skill, matters pertaining to the mind, communication and the element of air.  

"Your lifestyle or daily schedule is proceeding smoothly.  You can really and flexibly adjust it when changes are needed without losing sight of your priorities.  Verbal or written communication is flowing smoothly and clearly." - Gail Fairfield

Nightmares, inner demons, thinks that keep me up in the middle of the night.  I completely understand that feeling.  Lately I haven't been sleeping well.  I seem to fall asleep for a few hours and then I wake up and can't get back to sleep for two hours.  I'll sleep for another 3 hours or so, then I'm up again for 2 hours.  I finally fall into a deep sleep around noon and wake up around 4:00.  It makes it impossible to get anything useful accomplished.  Sometimes I don't even wake up in enough time to hit the post office (which closes at 5:00).  Why?

Well I don't think I need to look far to figure out the reasons I'm having this problem.  From the generic - the economy, politics, etc.  Just the shape of the world today is enough to give a lot of folks sleepless nights.  On a more personal level you can take your pick - not having a job, school, the situation with my mom-in-law, of reasons why I can't sleep at night.  Of course the bottom line is that none of these things need to be permanent.  My mom-in-law's condition is the one over which I hold the  least amount of control and the one which will probably have the saddest outcome.  Even with that I hope for the best.

I think the biggest challenge to me right now is to actually create a list of priorities.  I have been sort of coasting for too long; going with the flow.  This is not serving me well and will not help me move towards my ultimate goals.  Then again there are days when I have no idea what my ultimate goals actually are.  That's not really true either.  I know where I want to find myself, I'm just not always clear what path I wish to take in order to arrive at that goal.  Maybe what I really need to consider is that things I keep seeing as problems, challenges, "nightmares" do not need to be such.  They only acquire that power over my life if I allow them to do so.  I am the ultimate creator of my own fate.  I may find myself caught in situations over which I have no control and no input but I can control how I chose to deal with these situations.  It's time to open my eyes, let in some light and decide to push those nightmares away.