Nine of Swords Clarified By The Empress as Thoughts?

SweetSiren

As a disclaimer, I'm resurrecting this thread as there has already been solid input.

Given my personal situation, I'm apt to think this combination means someone doesn't know how to handle another really caring about them. They might be the type to laugh things off and not take their own troubles very seriously. So, the other person's presence might give them anxiety and make them doubt their own approach to life's troubles.

Empress is a card about nurturing, intentional care to help things grow. They might be confused as to how to show the other that they care.