The Nine of Wands is a card of strength and courage to carry on. You will likely need willpower and conviction to pull through a difficult time and look to your past for the answers you need.
The Nine of Wands Keywords
Upright Meanings | Reversed Meanings |
Courage, strength, resilience, conviction, the final hurdle, pressure, endurance, persistence, healing, hardship, challenges, obstacles. | Lack of willpower, powerlessness, instability, defeat, exhaustion, inconsistency, being at your limit, defensive, sensitive, giving up, surrender. |
Imagery & Symbolism
The direction of Face: The character in the Nine of Wands is looking to the left, which can be interpreted as looking back to the past for advice.
Mountains: In the background, mountains can be seen across the terrain, which indicates a coming of obstacles and challenges to be overcome.
Standing Wands: The eight wands standing up can be interpreted as a protective wall of defence, with the character standing in front, with one wand, to protect himself.
Injured Man: The character shows a bandage on his head, showing the obstacles, challenges, and battles he's had to overcome. Of course, he has taken a blow and is slowly healing from it.
Nine of Wands Tarot Card Meanings
UPRIGHT
The Nine of Wands appearing in a general reading will typically indicate that you are going through a difficult time and need to persevere for the time being to make it through. You need to embrace a character of strength and resilience, yet also take it slow as you move forward. It is a good idea to reflect on your past difficulties to assess how you will overcome the present challenges. At this time, the universe will be challenging your ability to overcome hurdles and push past your boundaries.
REVERSE
The Nine of Wands can suggest that you are overwhelmed by the pressure of your situation. There are too many hindrances and obstacles preventing you from moving forward, and you are too exhausted to carry on pummeling through them. You are near the end of this challenge but are at the point of surrendering and giving up. It is important during these times to take things slowly and rest, so you can incorporate your energy to move forward again.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
UPRIGHT
The Nine of Wands appearing in love or relationship-related tarot readings can indicate obstacles and challenges that are appearing in your relationship consecutively. It may feel that after overcoming one challenge more obstacles keep piling up which causes a hindrance in your relationship moving forward. You may feel as though your relationship is up against a wall, but this is actually a test to see if you can overcome your relationship together. Alternatively, the Nine of Wands can indicate going through a difficult process of self-development on your own accord.
REVERSE
The Nine of Wands can indicate feeling pressured and overwhelmed in a relationship whilst putting in extra effort to make it work. It may also be possible that the relationship is becoming one-sided, where one partner is putting in all the effort to make the relationship work, and the other isn't putting in any effort at all. It may be that the weight of the relationship is resting only on your shoulders.
CAREER, JOB & BUSINESS
UPRIGHT
The Nine of Wands appearing in a business, career, or job-related tarot reading can indicate you are nearing the end of a project or piece of work but are going through the last hurdle. You may be feeling exhausted, drained, and pressured to get work done. It is time for you to tap into your extra reserve of strength and willpower to be able to get through this. When supported with the Seven of Wands, this can suggest you are being targeted by your colleagues and co-workers for their opinions and beliefs.
REVERSE
The Nine of Wands can indicate being overwhelmed in your job or career, to the point that you are nearing burnout. It is important to take care of your health at this time, and take rest periods. You are nearing the end of your project but may need some extra support to overcome the last hurdle. It may benefit you to ask your support system at work for help when it comes to these challenging times.
FINANCES & MONEY
UPRIGHT
The Nine of Wands appearing in a financial-related tarot reading can indicate temporary financial issues become a burden. You need to hold out for the time being on any big financial purchases and are in a situation where you need to save money and be diligent. There could be an external economic situation influencing your finances, which is causing added pressure.
REVERSE
The Nine of Wands can indicate feeling overwhelmed by financial pressure but avoiding dedicating time to find solutions to the problem. This could be due to not wanting to confront the stress and burden of the situation and using avoidance as a form of escape from the stress. It is important to understand, that the situation won't be resolved unless you confront it and find solutions. Avoiding your financial problems will only prolong the burden further.
WELLNESS
UPRIGHT
The Nine of Wands appearing in a health-related reading can suggest feeling exhausted or burnt out from health difficulties. It is important to rest and recuperate your energy to help you overcome future hurdles. Do not give up at this time, as you are nearing the end of your difficulties.
REVERSE
The Nine of Wands can indicate surrendering to an illness or poor health. You may be suffering from burnout and exhaustion so you must take the rest you need to help you gain your energy back. It is important to seek help when you need it, as the Nine of Wands can also indicate suffering internally but being unable to keep it hidden much longer.
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