Nine of Wands
Redoubt
“I get knocked down, but I get up again.”
Tubthumping, Chumbawamba
Nine of Wands at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Nine of Wands represents guarded endurance after experience has made caution necessary.
| Upright | resilience, vigilance, a final defence, experience under pressure, recovery while continuing |
|---|---|
| Reversed | exhaustion, hypervigilance, expecting attack, inflexibility, depleted reserves |
| Linked card | Ten of Wands |
| Soundtrack | midnight sun by Nilüfer Yanya Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Resilience
- Vigilance
- A final defence
- Experience under pressure
- Recovery while continuing
- Preparedness
- Healthy caution
- Persistence after setbacks
- Protecting progress
- Refusing to abandon the last stage
Reversed meanings
- Exhaustion
- Hypervigilance
- Expecting attack
- Inflexibility
- Depleted reserves
- Old wounds directing the present
- Unnecessary suspicion
- A delayed finish
- Inability to rest
- Giving up near completion
Nine of Wands in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Relationship energy: Preparedness. Reversed: Old wounds directing the present. |
| Career | Work: Healthy caution; persistence after setbacks. Warning: Unnecessary suspicion. |
| Money | Financial theme: Protecting progress. Warning: Inability to rest. |
| Feelings | Upright: A final defence. Reversed: Expecting attack. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Refusing to abandon the last stage. Watch for: Giving up near completion. |
| Outcome | Potential: Recovery while continuing. Obstacle: Depleted reserves. |
| Yes or no | Yes, but endurance and recovery are both necessary. |
Symbols in Nine of Wands
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The bandaged head | Past conflict has left visible knowledge and injury. |
| The row of wands | A boundary has been constructed from previous effort. |
| The watchful stance | Attention remains fixed on a threat that may or may not return. |
| The single held wand | The figure still has agency despite fatigue. |
A. E. Waite's original description
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.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
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.
Reversed:
Obstacles, adversity, calamity.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Eight of Wands
- Next card: Ten of Wands
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
