Nine of Wands in the 5-Card Spread with the Rider Waite Tarot

Nine of Wands as second card : Challenge / Obstacle
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

In contrast, the Nine of Wands reveals excessive exhaustion, maladaptive mistrust, or a tendency to see adversity everywhere, even where there is none. The consultant may be defensive, overly protective, or refuse help for fear of being hurt again.

They may also be carrying the weight of the past, unable to move on, and reliving the same internal struggles over and over again.

This card can show fatigue that is no longer constructive, tension that prevents relaxation, fluidity, and openness.

The person seeking advice may be too entrenched in a position of resistance, no longer believing that peace or simplicity are possible.

Sometimes this can reflect unconscious self-sabotage: preparing for the worst, even when there is no justification for it.

This opposition invites us to question our internal defences, to see if they are still useful or if they have become a protective but limiting straitjacket. It asks the question: am I protecting myself… or am I depriving myself? The invitation here is to let down our guard a little, to trust again, or to give ourselves the right to rest.

Nine of Wands as third card : Advice
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

As advice, the Nine of Wands encourages you to hold on, not to give up now, even if you are feeling tired or doubtful. You are closer to your goal than you think. This card tells you that you have already been through so many trials, and that everything you have learned has made you prepared, strong and capable of facing whatever comes your way.

The advice is therefore to remain vigilant, but without becoming rigid: be strategic, not paranoid; cautious, but not closed off. It may be helpful to take a step back, re-evaluate what you are protecting, and recognise your physical and emotional limits. You are strong, yes, but you also have the right to be tired.

The Nine of Wands invites you to draw on your experience, trust your judgement, and find the right balance between defence and openness. This is not the time to let go of everything, but to consolidate what matters, resist intelligently, and prepare for a transition or the end of a cycle.

Nine of Wands as fourth card : Outcome
in the Rider Waite Smith 5-Card spread

In the outcome position, the Nine of Wands indicates that the consultant will manage to hold on, protect what is dear to them, and get through a demanding situation without losing their integrity.

However, this outcome will come at a significant emotional or psychological cost: a hard-won victory that leaves its mark. The person seeking advice will emerge from this ordeal stronger and wiser, but also more aware of their limitations and their need to recover.

This card can also herald the imminent end of a cycle, preceded by one last effort or challenge to overcome.

The outcome is therefore positive in essence, but calls for the human, emotional and physical dimensions of the experience not to be neglected. It is likely that the position achieved will stabilise, that the consultant will retain what they have gained or succeed in imposing their limits, but at the cost of intense personal commitment. This card says: yes, you will succeed — but afterwards, you will need to take care of yourself.