Nine of Wands Meaning in Tarot by Avia from Tarot Teachings

About Nine of Swords
Meaning in Tarot

I appreciate how the Morgan-Greer deck repeats its imagery in this card, and the six of wands. We observe the same rider, only now in the nine of wands he is older (a full grown beard) and wiser; a seasoned veteran back from the fields conflict.

The nine of wands has a stoic, stern quality to it. The set jaw of our hero denotes a true grit lacking in the previous cards. The bandages indicate the wounds of hard knocks; the brow is beaten, but the hero is certainly far from defeated.

On the contrary, our figure is stalwart and determined in his last stand to defend his freedom of creative expression. The erect rods at his back symbolize his virtuous ideals have held strong and true. They may also symbolize his supporters who have stood behind him through the battles along the way. Further, those rods indicate an impenetrable force of standards and a level of integrity that will not allow corruption.

Still standing on higher ground, our hero also finds himself on a smooth, steady foundation. No emotional overreacting, and no question as to his objective. No more diverging thoughts, and no more short cuts. Our figure been down that road and has no further need for the tang of disappointment that route offers.

Keywords standing tall in the nine of wands Tarot card meaning:

Realism
Veteran
Heroism
True grit
Protection
Patriotism
Reliability
Infallibility
Commitment
Virtuousness
Determination
Purpose-driven
Impenetrable forces
Defending the cause

Moreover, this card indicates power in solidarity (of thought and community). When we see the nine of wands in our readings we’ve committed to our cause and are prepared to honor it with remarkable courage. At this point, we’ve invested mammoth amounts of energy in our dreams and our self-development, there is no retreating now.

The flames of the wands (i.e., our burning desires) have been lit, flickered, faltered, extinguished and are now rekindled – blazing with more ferocity than ever before.

I particularly appreciate how our hero is facing east in the card. Iconically, eastward directions salute new beginnings as the dawn of a new day rises with the sun (in western symbology). The east is also and is associated with the grounded nature of the Taurus in astrological symbolism.

These references reinforce a renewed determination in wherewithal and wit. Also pay attention to the other cards in the spread. You will notice our nine of wands hero might be looking eastwardly to another card that may lend more meaning to the reading.

In the journey of wands, a cause was taken up with youthful verve. Winding to the end of our journey we have become a dauntless patriot, staunch in our firm believe that we shall surpass all odds to drive our cause to its conclusion.

Some stalwart symbols in the nine of wands Tarot card meaning:

Armor: Only in certain deck versions (like the Morgan-Greer shown in the center of the card trio above), the symbolic meanings of armor deal with protection, preparation, and strength. Most Tarot deck renditions depict all the knights in full armor (knights typically represents action and strength). The armor indicates a need to protect ourselves when engaging in activities referenced in a reading. Get more about armor meaning in the tarot here.

Mountains/Cliffs: Seen on many of the cards, mountain symbol meanings deal with triumph, challenge, attainment, and realization. Mountains also represent timelessness and an endurance that is infinite. When those mountains peak out of the cards into our attention, we may consider the vastness of our universe, and contemplate our place within it. We may also want to consider the heights to which we are climbing, and what the realization of our goals may mean for us and those around us. Get more about the symbolism of mountains in the tarot here.