Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands is the ninth card in the suit of Wands. It usually stands for obstacles, delay, suspense, adversity, slowness, misfortune, or trouble.
General description
In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, Pamela Coleman Smith depicts the Nine of Wands as a figure leaning upon his staff with an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind the figure are eight other wands in orderly disposition, like a palisade. The card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, the person will meet an onslaught boldly.
Divinatory meaning
The Nine of Wands seems strangely veiled. It is at least strange to find only malefic expressions of the coordination of the element Air and the principle of mind with the house of Sagittarius.
The card must have to do with prophecy, fortune-telling, teaching, conducting, guiding and the persons of guides, teachers, masters. It gives the notion of traveling and far-reaching schemes, the faculty of speaking foreign languages and of writing, but it is true, that the persons indicated by this card find their strength in opposition and very often therefore are in search of some convenient opponent or opposing force.
It means intellectual chasing, sport, hunting, journalism and the raising of spirits, that are not easily to be got rid of afterwards.
If reversed, the card can mean: Obstacles, adversity, or calamity. Generally speaking, a bad card.
| Tarot Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | The Fool • The Magician • The High Priestess • The Empress • The Emperor • The Hierophant • The Lovers • The Chariot • Strength • The Hermit • Wheel of Fortune • Justice • The Hanged Man • Death • Temperance • The Devil • The Tower • The Star • The Moon • The Sun • Judgement • The World | |
| Minor Arcana | Pentacles | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King |
| Wands | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Cups | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Swords | Ace • Two • Three • Four • Five • Six • Seven • Eight • Nine • Ten • Page • Knight • Queen • King | |
| Decks | Visconti-Sforza Tarot • Tarot of Marseilles • Rider-Waite Tarot • Thoth Tarot • Occult Tarot • Angel Tarot • Vlad Dracula Tarot • Hieronymus Bosch Tarot | |