I’ve written interpretations for every card in the Wild Unknown Tarot. As the box of the deck states, there are no rights or wrongs. These are simply my perspectives on the tarot card meanings. I hope you find them useful!
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Nine of Wands :: Wild Unknown Tarot
Creator’s Keywords: inner strength, stamina
Carrie’s Keywords: protection, stamina

Nine of Wands Tarot Card Meanings in the Wild Unknown

 
A stack of wands starts at the bottom of the card, narrowing as it leads upwards. Each wand gets smaller than the last, giving the effect of a stairway or a narrowing tunnel. The wands are unruly, branches jutting about. A yellow crescent moon is suspended at the pinnacle.

The wands are noticeably thicker here than in any of the previous cards in the suit. In fact, they look almost like logs! They are sturdy, they are solid and fixed. These are wands that are built to survive a stomping.

The rest of the card is lined with vertical black lines which ascend into peaks of blue and purple. It is rare to see vertical lines in the Wild Unknown. They add to the solid, protective feel of the card; providing a steady energy. Blue and purple are colors of knowledge and spirituality, suggesting that this protection serves a higher purpose. I sometimes associate this card with energetic protection. Guarding your inner energy from outer intrusion is an art.

The wands here could be viewed as a staircase, ascending towards the moon. Or they could be a sort of fortress surrounding the moon. Are the wands trying to entice someone to climb their way up to the moon, or are they trying to protect the moon from intruders? Either way, they seem to serve as an enduring support system.

Nine of Wands Tarot Card Meanings in General

 

There is an old proverb which says “fall down seven times, get up eight.” In some ways the Nine of Wands is an echo of that sentiment. In the Waite-Smith tarot, this card shows a human figure standing in front of a makeshift fence. He has a bandage around his forehead, and his body posture is tense. He looks like he’s already been through some interesting ordeals, and now he braces himself for what is to come. Meanwhile The Spacious Tarot shows a delicate rose protected by thorns and wands.

Although no tarot card is entirely “positive” or “negative,” the Nine of Wands is particularly ambivalent. Sometimes this card shows the benefits of energy protection, the good that comes from watching out for what matters to you. But sometimes this card shows the way that being on-guard can be exhausting. As such, this card is often a reminder to check in with your own energy. You may sense that you need to buckle down and keep pressing forward – or you may find it is time to redirect your energy.

In a reading

 

Sometimes you will see this card when you are being called to draw on your reserves of stamina. Remember that you are strong. You are capable of handing whatever life throws your way. At the same time, it is also important to protect your energy.

Continuing on even when life has knocked you down is admirable, but it can also lead to weariness. As the saying goes, you’re not sprinting, you’re running a marathon. This means you need to ensure that you persevere for the long haul. Know that you do not need to be super human. Do what you can, but make sure your energy is fortified and protected all the while.

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