The wand cards in the tarot deck are symbolised by the element Fire and rule the zodiac signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

In classic Rider Waite Smith tarot decks, this tarot card symbolises a stubborn defensive energy. The Nine of Wands shows a wounded man with a bandage on his head (the battle from the Seven of Wands) who is determined to defend his position now. There is something proud about him and something bordering on mad extremism. He is traumatised. What is he defending? He is all alone, he has received his wands but no one is there. Is it Don Quixote fighting windmills? His eyes look deeply disbelieving and he grips the staff tightly with both hands. I think of Gollum with his obsession with his ring. But when the Ego is wounded, as for this man, one becomes easily distrustful. He feels alone, vulnerable and his gain has come at a cost. What the man defends is his honor, his dignity, his pride.

Depending entirely on which tarot cards are drawn around the nine in staves, the card communicates differently.

This tarot card comes up in my layouts when you are stuck with an opinion, a decision, an approach and the question is whether it gives you advantages or disadvantages? You are in a position where you are not ready to compromise, you have been hurt and are not so easily led anymore. Here there is no mediation, no diplomacy, no middle road, no balance – and sometimes that is absolutely right. Sometimes that speaks of integrity.

All cards have their gifts and they are here to help us become aware. We must become whole and free from inner conflicts. Not until we have accepted ourselves 100% have we mastered the lessons of life.

Keywords for the card Nine of Wands: Defending, integrity, stubbornness, pride, Ego, inflexible, square, rigid, skeptical, blocked, lonely, strong, expensive victories, paranoia.