Nine of Wands
resilience · the last stretch · on guard · reserve strength
Card art: Pamela Colman Smith, 1909, for A. E. Waite. Public domain.
The suit of Wands
In a few words
- resilience
- the last stretch
- on guard
- reserve strength
Bandaged but standing, wands at your back. You have been through it, and you have strength left.
Upright
- Everything
- Bandaged but standing, wands at your back. You have been through it, and you have strength left.
- Love
- Guarded after a hurt. Let the wall down a little; not everyone is the last person.
- Work
- Almost there. One more push, and do not drop your guard yet.
- Money
- Reserves are holding. Protect them through this last stretch.
- Myself
- Resilience. You are tougher than the last round proved.
The card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, the person will meet an onslaught boldly; and his build shews that he may prove a formidable antagonist. With this main significance there are all its possible adjuncts—delay, suspension, adjournment.The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), p. 180
Reversed
- Everything
- Worn out, paranoid, or refusing help at the very end. Put the stick down for an hour.
- Love
- Walls so high nobody gets in. Fear of the old wound running the new story.
- Work
- Burnout near the finish. Delegate, or rest before the last mile.
- Money
- Stubbornly holding a position that is draining you. Reassess.
- Myself
- Stubbornness dressed as strength. Rest is also strength.
Obstacles, adversity, calamity.The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), p. 180
The card, as Waite described it
The figure leans upon his staff and has an expectant look, as if awaiting an enemy. Behind are eight other staves—erect, in orderly disposition, like a palisade.The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), p. 180
The plain-word meanings on this page were written for ShreeJyoti and are still under review.