This version of the Nine of Wands is so poignant. There is one last battle to face. The man is likely exhausted, battered (at least he appears so in other images). He cannot count on his physical strength and so he turns to his deity, the one who feeds his passion, his soul. On this power he must depend. It is all he has left.
The 9 of Swords is one we are all familiar with. While it can sometimes represent plain old insomnia, as a Swords card, it represents the sleeplessness caused by obsessive thinking. That hamster in a wheel in your brain running and running over the same paths, getting nowhere. Yeah, that’s this card.
In old texts, the 9 of Cups is called the Wish Card. Whenever it comes up, I squeal and get excited. I really do think of it as the Wish Card. It represents a full satisfaction with one’s life at that moment.
Next to the High Priestess, I see more female tarot readers identify with this card, the 9 of Pentacles. This image is a perfect picture of an accomplished, independent, successful woman. Not only has she achieved a lot, she doesn’t even look stressed. Hmmm. Maybe this should be my new Wish Card.
May I ask what deck this is, please ?
I really liked your description of the nines, I think of the number nine representing in each of these tarot cards self evaluation, final completion or ultimate goal and I see a deeper meaning to all of them linked to the Major Arcana Card the Hermit ‘Finding one’s own truth.’
Lovely deck to illustrate this number in the tarot sequence. 🙂
The 9 of pentacles,I also see as having plenty of money and luxurious comfort around.
The 9 of swords, I also see as having inspiration and answers to problems through the night to implement the next day or the next course of action.
The 9 of wands, I also see as having a bit of a rest from what you have so far achieved, and that the next step is a turning point.
The 9 cups, I also see as having lots of love around you and the emotional life should be good.
Well the 9 of Pents does look a little like you! Maybe it should be your wish card. … Whats a Wish Card? Maybe you could post a blog about that one?
9 of Wands … Just Awesome.
9 of Cups … Beautifal, and I normally hate this card, just my nails on the chalkboard card.
but the 9 of Swords, now that I saw sooo Differently.
The woman, to me does not look, well worried, fretful, like what you expect at all. I see the Central Sword as almost a crucifix, and her faith pushing her worries aside. (And I’m Pagan) Its an oddly hopeful card to me.
Blackbird, you are right…she (swords) does not look fretful. Hmmmm. And I usually make such a big deal out of reading the images and here, I just parroted my usual meaning. Lame. Thanks for pointing out that the image can really shift the meaning of the specific card.
I love that you think the 9 of Pents looks like me. It is the card I most identify with.
The Wish Card…this is something from old, traditional, fortune-telling meanings. Usually it is the 9 of Cups. With old fortune telling, a client was said to make a wish (silently) at the beginning of the reading. If the 9 of Cups showed up anywhere in the reading, it meant the wish would come true.
Patricia, Yes, I can see and have used similar meanings from time to time myself. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Helen, dear!
This is the Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti.
TY,
I miss guessed what your wish card would be, I was thinking more along the lines of a card you might put out on a small easle or something to represent your wish, so if your wishing for money, 10Pents, love 2 Cups, a new job 7 Pents; and so on; but a focus for your dream in the moment. Actually It gave me an Idea for a bit of Tarot Magick I’ll be doing tomorrow night.
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Still I like this idea very much, and I will have to work it into my in person readings. Blessings, BB.
A friend of mine calls the Nine of Cups the nooky card (as in sex) which I guess for some brings us back to the idea of the Wish card ;-D That being said, I have a tendency to look at the darker side of “light” cards, and the lighter side of “dark” cards, in which case there is the suggestion to be careful what you wish for!
I love the idea that in days of yore you made a wish at the start of the reading and if the Nine of Cups came up it would be granted – I’d never heard that before.
Thanks for the ever-interesting post!
There is an attraction between myself and a work colleague, I’m trying to figure out whether it was a sexual or spiritual attraction. Anyway I asked the cards whether I will end up having sex with this guy and I got the nine of cups!
I can see what people mean now when they say careful what you wish for!