Nine of Wands as a Person (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Nine of Wands is the card of resilience, persistence, courage, and boundaries. The card shows an injured man clutching a wand. He looks anxious and weary. He’s already been through a lot, but he is very close to reaching his goal.  

The Nine of Wands reminds us that challenges are a part of life and every relationship. Nothing is perfectly good or perfectly bad. Everything has its own challenges. Our endurance and persistence shows the strength of our character. Additionally, this card also reminds us that healthy boundaries are necessary for successful relationships. 

Upright Nine of Wands as a Person

If the Nine of Wands appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is tired and weary. Because this is a Minor Arcana card, this is not a “perpetual” or permanent state this person lives in. They were likely going through something at the time you drew this card. It is astrologically associated with the Moon in Sagittarius. Because the Moon carries feminine energy and Sagittarius is a masculine sign, this card carries a combined dynamic of active/assertive as well as passive/receptive energy. We all have a little bit of both energies expressed in a balanced way, regardless of which gender we identify as.

For physical characteristics, the Nine of Wands as a person represents someone who dresses defensively. They dress for the purpose of hiding their insecurities or to literally defend themselves in some way. This person may be dealing with past traumas from bullying, abuse, or even exposure to toxic media standards. They may protect certain body parts from the unwanted gaze of others due to insecurity, or they may dress down to avoid unwanted attention. In numerology the Number 9 signifies being “almost there” as well as being alone in some capacity, be it independence, isolation, self-satisfaction. This person may not be living up to their full potential because of their emotional inability to fully express themselves.

For emotional characteristics, the Nine of Wands as a person represents someone who is not the most optimistic. Much like the Seven of Wands, the Nine of Wands personifies someone with a chip on their shoulder. But unlike the Seven of Wands who is just defensive most of the time, the Nine of Wands also looks over their shoulder with paranoia. They may have attachment or abandonment issues, which could lead to emotional neediness. They become extremely insecure when they feel like they’re about to lose you. If you’re romantically involved with this person, they may be extremely protective or possessive of you, depending on your relationship’s dynamics. This person may fear you potentially leaving them for somebody else. They could be threatened by a specific ex of yours, or just competition in general.

For careers, the Nine of Wands can represent someone who works as a defender in some capacity. They may be required to always be on call, or think on their feet at their job in their line of work. This could be somebody in the military, a first responder, or even a contestant in an unscripted reality show. This is one of the most resilient and persistent people you will ever meet in business. They literally never give up. However, unlike the Magician who simply has a strong belief in magic and a positive attitude of manifestation, a Nine of Wands person might be motivated by some form of childhood trauma or experience. The only issue with this person is that they will have a tendency to get burnt out, which they register as a failure. They need to learn how to trust again, and receive rather than chase.

The Nine of Wands as a person represents someone who makes you feel exhausted. It can be tiring to be around someone who is weary, tired, and constantly on the defensive. Remember, energy can be infectious, and it can rub off on other people. If the energy attached to the person you’re inquiring about is strong enough to show up in a Tarot reading, don’t be surprised if it affects you in person. If you’re doing a reading about yourself, this may warn against spiritual attacks. Remember, the Wands suit often represents the spiritual, so it’s always important to consider what may be occurring in the 5D.

Reversed Nine of Wands as a Person

If the Nine of Wands reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person feels defeated. This may indicate somebody has lost all hope, and so they stopped trying altogether. They believe they have nothing to lose. Because this is a Minor Arcana card, some of these traits will not be inherent aspects of their identity. If they are behaving unfavorably, they might just be going through a temporary phase. It may be a behavioral pattern that they can still unlearn, if they choose to. Good or bad, nobody is perfect, and people can use their free will to change for the better.

For physical characteristics, the Nine of Wands reversed as a person represents someone who, like the upright Nine of Wands, dresses in a way with the intention of somehow shielding themselves from perceived threats. However, they take this coping mechanism to an unhealthy extreme. For example, they might end up wearing clothes that are inappropriate for the weather, therefore endangering themselves. They would really benefit from the guidance of a qualified mental health professional. You may find that they also overcompensate for perceived inadequacies. When it comes to physical activities, this could be the type of person who wears themselves down working out to the point of making themselves sick.

For emotional characteristics, the Nine of Wands reversed as a person represents someone who is emotionally defensive and passive at the same time. The combination of the Moon and Sagittarius energy indicates that this is somebody who will not make a move or attack unless provoked. Alternatively, this may represent somebody who is on guard and defensive, even though no one is actually attacking them. For example, this person could be overly paranoid and believe that everyone is out there to get them, when those fears don’t reflect reality. They may need to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. 

For careers, the Nine of Wands reversed can represent someone who works in a field where persistence and determination are necessary, but they lack the gumption or drive to succeed. They may work in a highly competitive field. They underestimate the level of hard work that’s required to make it. They may be in a Wands-ruled industry (anything creative, artistic, physical, spiritual, public). This could range from entertainment, professional sports, spirituality, or starting any type of business in a competitive market. Alternatively, they may work in security or the military. However, they don’t pay attention on the job, often endangering people in their charge. Drawing this card in a career reading may point to giving up too soon. 

The Nine of Wands reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel drained or unsafe. If you are romantically involved with this person, they may be healing from a past toxic relationship. You may find they have their guard up. Dealing with an overly defensive person who hasn’t finished dealing with their own issues can be draining. As much as you may want to help this person, it’s not up to you for this person to heal. If this is a caretaker, a guardian, or somebody professionally assigned to protect you, like a bodyguard or security staff, you may feel like this person isn’t taking your safety seriously. 

Conclusion

For love readings, the Nine of Wands represents resilience and boundaries. Both of these qualities are necessary for any successful relationship. Even if they may not lead to the most fun conversations, they are necessary for success. The Nine of Wands reminds us that great relationships are built on the persistence of the everyday, not just big ideas or fleeting feelings of desire. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.