9 of Wands
Keywords & phrases
- Inner strength
- Resourcefulness
- Self-reliance
- Achievement
- Resilience
- Defensiveness
- Boundaries
- Unhealed wounds
Keywords & phrases
- Inner strength
- Resourcefulness
- Self-reliance
- Achievement
- Resilience
- Defensiveness
- Boundaries
- Trust issues
- Unhealed wounds
First impressions
The stance, the facial expression and the obvious wound portrayed in this card evoke a real sense of discomfort.
What is happening in the card?
A man with a bandaged head stands in front/behind a row of 8 stakes, or wands, arranged like a fence. He holds a 9th in front of him, perhaps for support or defence. He has the appearance of a wounded soldier on sentry duty.
His expression is wary, his watchful eyes are directed across his right shoulder as if on the lookout for imposters – enemies real or imagined.
Is this ‘wall’ that he has erected to keep people out or in?
How can we relate to this card?
We experience the energy of the 9 of Wands when we feel wounded or under attack. We put up our defences so that nothing and no one may pass. We stay strong.
The wounds may be old ones that have not healed over time.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so they say.
Elements, numbers, symbols & imagery
- Element of Fire 🜂 realm of passion, creativity and inspiration
- The number 9 – fulfilment, fruition, nearing completion. Also dreams, subconscious mind, connection
- Lush green landscape – fertile land with potential for growth in the distance
Emotions expressed
- Defensiveness
- Courage
- Strength
Other associations
Tree of life:
9th Sephira of Yesod– foundation, connection, intimacy, dreams, the unconscious mind – in the realm of Atzilut – the world of emanation, Spirit and intuition.
Thoth:
Strength, the Moon (feminine principle) in Sagittarius (mutable fire sign, adventurous, philosophical)
Golden Dawn title:
Lord of Great Strength
Major Arcana:
Associated with The Hermit IX and The Moon XVIII
Message & affirmations
Today, I let my ego step aside so that I may simply be a clear and perfect channel for the love, light and healing energy of the universe. Light is my guide.
“It is worth remembering that the time of greatest gain in terms of wisdom and inner strength is often that of greatest difficulty.”
~ Dalai Lama
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.”
~ Vincent van Gogh
“Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.”
~ Katherine Dunham, American dancer, choreographer, author & activist
My personal experiences of this card
The 9 of Wands is a powerful reminder that the wounds of the past and my ability to overcome them is what has made me who I am today. I am resilient.
However, too much strength and an inability to let my guard down may mean that I keep people out, at arm’s length. This creates a lack of intimacy.
Events, situations & readings
In a relationship spread:
In the 9 of Wands we may see an individual who has their guard up so high, their heart so strongly defended that they are unable to connect fully.
On the other hand it could be a warning to stand firm with your personal boundaries to protect yourself from further emotional harm.
Reversed:
Isolation, defensiveness, inability to connect. Lack of intimacy. Inability to let go of the past. Paranoia.
People & interaction with other cards
With The Hermit, the 9 of Wands encourages you to go within to find your inner strength. And when it appears with the Strength card, you are urged to draw on our strength and act with courage and compassion for ourselves and others.
The Ace of Cups encourages you to let down some of your defences and open your heart to relationships.
Questions, prompts & insights
Do you have old wounds that need to heal?
How can you let down some of your defences to allow for more greater intimacy in your relationship/s, while protecting your precious heart?
Are you aware of your deep inner strength? How can you drawn on that to face your current challenges?
Featured decks & credits:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.
The second image of the 9 of Wands is part of an ongoing AI art Tarot project by Still Small Voice Tarot.
Explore the Tarot deck with me
This is a work in progress, a project far from complete. I’m exploring traditional and personal meanings for the Tarot cards in a semi-orderly fashion. Please take a look by clicking on the cards below. Or you can pick a card to see what comes up for you today.
