Nine of Wands Key Words#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed nine of wands card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, first a quick overview of the most important words connected to this Minor Arcana card.
Upright | Perseverance, stamina, courage |
Reversed | Stubbornness, no compromise, lack of trust |
Yes or No | Maybe |
Numerology | 9 |
Element | Fire |
Planet | Jupiter |
Astrological Sign | Sagittarius |
Nine of Wands Tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Nine of Wands tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism.
The image on the Nine of Wands Tarot card depicts a weary-looking man leaning against one of nine tall staffs. Standing upright behind him are the other eight wands which are placed in a fence-like position.
With a bandage around his head, the man appears to be injured. At best, he is exhausted from the battle he’s either engaged in or just finished.
Although battered and bruised, the look on his face is one of determination, not defeat.
Upright Nine of Wands Meaning#
The Upright Nine of Wands presses you to draw your strength to finish despite fatigue. There are some things that are difficult to bear, no matter how positive we try to be.
Chaos, confusion, heartbreak, and life’s ups and downs don’t have to throw us off balance. Even if we have no control over what life throws our way, our reactions are always of our own choosing.
If this card shows up, it can symbolize perseverance under pressure. Whether to continue, pause, or change course depends on the costs, evidence, and support available: not on a belief that the universe is testing you or that success is almost certain.
Money and Career Meaning#
If the nine of wands card appears in relation to a career or finances, things may be in limbo. Are you clashing with coworkers or facing a layoff? Does it seem like you can’t get ahead no matter how hard you try?
If so, compare the costs of continuing, changing course, or leaving; the card cannot establish which option will make the problem better or worse.
Instead, steady yourself and come up with a solid plan for moving forward. Do you need to go back to school or look for a new position? Should you come up with a new budget and tighten your spending?
Do what you need to do to make it through these rough times, keeping your resolve regardless of how difficult things may appear.
Love and Relationships Meaning#
Rocky romances are often connected to the Nine of Wands in a love context. If you are single at the moment, this situation may be one of the past and not the present.
Either way, the message is the same: negative or otherwise draining relationships can zap us of our energy. If this is the case for you, take a hard look at the friendship or romantic connection. Is it one that is worth saving?
At the end of the day, your relationship with yourself is the most important one you will ever have. You must defend your own well-being at all times. This may involve building a peaceful fence of protection to keep out others’ negative vibes.
Health and Spirituality Meaning#
Nothing weighs us down like worries about how things will all work out. Many times we put on a brave face for others, appearing to have it all together when on the inside, we are really falling apart.
Sure, we would love to be ‘balanced’ and ‘focused,’ but how can we in times like these? Here are a few suggestions:
- Practice affirmations: I will do my best, I will do even better tomorrow, I am capable.
- Focus only on what you can control: Your thoughts, your words, your actions.
- Remember that a lapse is not the same as relapse. One slip up does not mean you aren’t demonstrating self-control and good judgment.
If you are facing a physical hurdle rather than a mental one, consult a qualified clinician about appropriate treatment options. Ask questions and make a plan you understand with that clinician.
Reversed Nine of Wands Card Meaning#
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Nine of Wands tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
The Reversed Nine of Wands represents a situation that is a bit different than the one described by the upright meaning.
The Upright Nine of Wands symbolizes a battle caused by others in which you must stand firm. When flipped upside down, a modern reversed reading may ask whether your own stance contributes to the turmoil and whether compromise is possible.
It is human nature to shirk responsibility and pass the blame to others. In one of the most famous self-help books of all time, How to Win Friends and Influence People, author Dale Carnegie discusses this phenomenon.
He gives an example of some of the most famous murderers and gangsters in history going down, still believing that they were good guys who had done nothing wrong.
Although we should always stand up for what we think is right, stubbornness and pride only lead to resentment and frustration. If you can’t compromise and work through a situation, it might be time to remove yourself from it altogether.
Nine of Wands: Yes or No#
The Nine of Wands in a yes or no reading is a maybe, because the card shows strength that holds, but at a cost. If the question is about standing firm, review the evidence and consequences of that stance. For new ventures or relationships, the card’s maybe is an interpretive lean, not a reason to delay or a forecast of worry, exhaustion, or discontent.
Nine of Wands and Astrology#
The Nine of Wands is connected to the zodiac sign Sagittarius. Independence and the ability to do what they want are very important for people with this sign. They have a love for adventure and exploration and are considered outgoing. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the planet of religion, philosophy, spirituality, wealth, and progeny.
Important Nine of Wands Combinations#
Dilemma’s, feelings of abandonment, and resentment: when combined with other cards, the meaning of the Nine of Wands can slightly change. Below you can find the most important combinations of this Wands card.
The Nine of Wands and the Sun#
This combination suggests that whatever you are wrestling with has become a considerable part of your life. In fact, all your thoughts and decisions may be wrapped up in this dilemma.
The sun card can add clarity to the Nine of Wands theme of persistence. Doing what you can and accepting what you cannot control may help, but it is not the only way to address the situation or find peace.
The Nine of Wands and the Hermit#
Do you feel like you are fighting every battle alone? The Hermit and Nine of Wands connection suggest feelings of isolation and abandonment.
For example, someone going through a breakup or some other loss may feel they have no one to talk to. A person going through a rough time financially might feel as there is no one around to offer support.
As painful as this might be, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Hermit urges you to connect to your own higher self. Don’t allow your judgment to be clouded by the thoughts and opinions of others. Draw from hidden reservoirs deep within yourself and continue your path until your journey is complete.
The Nine of Wands and the Empress#
The Empress, when paired with the Nine of Wands, represents feelings of resentment. Lately, you may be feeling like someone is trying to take advantage of you. These types of emotions can cause significant damage if ignored and not dealt with.
As hard as it will be, you need to open up and express your feelings using ‘I statements’ such as “I feel…” or “I need…” It is important not to criticize or be on the attack.
Try to stand the other person’s point of view, and if you still feel uneasy about the situation, take a short break to recoup and gather your thoughts. After this, stand firm on how you really feel and stay true to yourself without assuming that every situation will resolve in your favor.
The Nine of Wands Tarot Card Inspiration#
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many beautiful decks out there! I can lose myself browsing and searching the web for beautiful tarot cards.
Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Nine of Wands tarot cards. If you drew a Nine of Wands tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!
Floh (Florence ) Pitot via Behance.net 
Modern Wat Tarot
The Nine of Wands in a Reading#
That’s all for the Nine of Wands meaning! Can’t get enough? If you have pulled the upright or reversed Nine of Wands card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life?
Our community loves to hear about spot-on readings so please take a minute to let us know in the comments below!
