Nine of Wands in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Nine of Wands Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Fire
The Nine of Wands is a card of resistance, protection and tenacity, often in a context of fatigue or prolonged combat. It shows that you are in the home stretch of a trying process: you have suffered, you have held on, and you are still holding on. It’s the card of the survivor, the guardian, the person who doesn’t give up despite the wounds. It also evokes the vigilance, sometimes excessive, that comes from being wounded. You may be distrustful and defensive, but deep down, you have the resources to finish what you’ve started. It’s a card that encourages you to stand your ground without locking yourself in, to remain determined while preparing for the moment when it’s time to release the pressure. The Nine of Wands reminds you that victory is close, but that it still requires a little courage, a little faith, and a lot of lucidity.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Nine of Wands readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Nine of Wands
In the sentimental sphere, the Nine of Wands reflects a relationship that has been through a lot. There have been wounds, disillusionment, perhaps even betrayal, but both of you are holding on, cautious and determined to preserve the bond. The card does not indicate a break-up, but rather a persistent mistrust, a fear of being hurt again. If you are in a relationship, it may indicate that you or your partner are on the defensive, in protective mode. To regain harmony, you’ll need to slowly rebuild trust. If you are single, this card shows that you are still carrying emotional scars from the past. You want to love, but you’re afraid of exposing yourself. The Nine of Wands invites you not to give up on love, but to move forward with awareness, without locking yourself into a permanent defensive posture. Your wounds make you stronger, not less worthy of love.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Nine of Wands
At work, the Nine of Wands signals accumulated fatigue, increased vigilance, but also incredible inner strength. You’ve already come a long way, and even if you’re exhausted, you’re still on your feet. This is a card of resilience and courage, showing that despite pressure, criticism or past failures, you’re not giving up. It can appear when you feel you need to protect your position, your project or your reputation in the face of a threat. If you’re on the verge of giving up, this card tells you: hold on a little longer, the end of the tunnel is not far off. It can also mean that you are too defensive at work, distrustful or over-solicited, which is affecting your well-being. The advice here is twofold: persevere, but take care of your limits so you don’t burn yourself out.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Nine of Wands
In material and financial terms, the Nine of Wands evokes a tense but stable situation, in which you have had to show prudence and tenacity. You may be in a phase where you are protecting your assets, after experiencing setbacks, unexpected expenses or periods of instability. You’re now on your guard, alert to the slightest expense, ready to face the situation. This can lead to a certain amount of anxiety, but it can also strengthen your ability to deal with the unexpected. This card reminds you that your efforts are not in vain, but that you must avoid paranoia or an obsession with control. If you’re waiting for a financial outcome (help, a sale, an answer), it may be close at hand, provided you hold out a little longer. The Nine of Wands congratulates you on your resilience, and encourages you to continue defending what you’ve built.
Family reading
with the card Nine of Wands
In the family context, the Nine of Wands reflects a protective dynamic, sometimes to the detriment of openness. You or someone close to you may be in a position of constant surveillance, for fear that an already fragile balance will be upset again. This may be the result of past events: conflicts, break-ups, losses or family secrets. This is a card of deep loyalty, but also of emotional fatigue. You want to keep the peace, but you’re on edge. It invites us to ask ourselves: am I really protecting, or am I freezing into a mistrust that prevents the bonds from flowing smoothly? You may also feel alone in having to ‘hold’ the family structure together. The advice is to take a step back, rest if you need to, and accept that you don’t have to carry everything alone. Family love is strengthened when it flows freely, not when it is defended in silence.
Spiritual reading
with the card Nine of Wands
Spiritually, the Nine of Wands represents a state of inner wakefulness, an awareness sharpened by life experiences. You’ve been through trials, perhaps even dark nights of the soul, but you’ve learned to stand tall in the storm. This card speaks of spiritual resilience: a deep faith that is no longer easily shaken, but that can also stiffen if it lacks gentleness. You may be too defensive, wanting to protect your spiritual path from any outside intrusion. This vigilance is legitimate, but be careful not to close the door on anything that could enrich you. The Nine of Wands invites you to strike a balance between openness and discernment: remaining faithful to your light, while welcoming new teachings with confidence. Spiritual maturity also means knowing when to lay down your arms and listen.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Nine of Wands and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Nine of Wands according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Nine of Wands in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
