kitsune,

my book on the tarot has a long description of the 9 of swords, that isn't all bad....

first it focusses on our own worry that we've done something wrong, not necessarily that we have, but that we feel we have...

it suggests using the card as a caution by trying to ensure that you are making the best choices.

The last line says "Even a small change can make all the difference"

And yes, it could only be noting a vulnerable spot in your life, or it could be a warning that the path you are on may be a difficult one.

My own experiences remind me that difficult times have helped me to expand my gift (photography), pay more attention to my intuition about people I meet, take better care of my own needs, and to reach out to people I trust...and I think they have made me a better and more compassionate person, even while still being more cautious in new circumstances.

whew.

Okay, that was a bit too wordy, I hope you don't mind!

Namaste,
~T~