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Nine is the last single-digit number, and as such, it signifies things like completion, fulfillment,
accomplishment, and the end of a cycle. It is when our past efforts pay off and when we reap what we have
sown (for better or for worse). This month we will look at the Nines in the Tarot’s Minor Arcana, and these
numerological considerations will provide a framework for that exploration.
On the Rider Waite Smith Tarot’s Nine of Wands, a wounded and seemingly fatigued man stands before a
wall of wands. Although he appears weary of fighting, we get the impression that he will if he has to, for he
has attained a deep reservoir of strength forged in past battles. One message that this card offers is that
maturity involves both the ability to fight when we must and the wisdom to avoid a fight when we can. On
the other hand, the barrier of wands standing behind this man says that maybe he has become defensive. In
that case, we can see the importance of being able to discern when something is a threat and when it is not.
Also, the value of the difficult experiences that forge our character lies in what we do with them. Do we
grow as a result and become stronger and wiser, or do we let our troubles embitter us so that we become
cynical, distrustful and quick to lash back at any perceived offense? This choice is ours to make.
Turning to the Nine of Cups, we find a more cheerful image. Here we see a grinning man sitting in front of
a table on which a row of cups are lined. This card shows someone basking in the glow of his achievements,
thus depicting traits like contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction. Implicitly, these characteristics all
depend upon appreciation. But while it is easy to appreciate success and good fortune when it befalls us
(although it still bears repeating that we should do so), it is the much harder practice of appreciating the
value of everything in our lives that brings us deep and lasting contentment. So a valuable piece of advice
in this card is to take time now and then to list some of our smaller and less-obvious blessings and give
thanks for them.
The poignant image of a woman sitting in bed with her head buried in her hands sets a somber tone for the
Nine of Swords. Above her looms a row of swords, like nine ominous Swords of Damocles, and the
connotations of worry, anxiety, and despair are obvious here. Sometimes when we find ourselves in the
midst of trouble and sorrow, we surrender to unreasonable fears, and then we get an oppressive feeling that
life is hopeless, much like what we see depicted in this card. In such circumstances the Nine of Swords is a
vivid illustration of a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "It is such a secret place, the land of tears." But
I also try to see this as the “Pandora card” wherein it says that although misfortunes have swarmed out of
their box, at the bottom of Pandora’s box there was hope, and this is true in our own lives as well. Hope
(which the quilt on the bed in this illustration can symbolize) is always waiting for us to let it out of the box,
and it is like a doorway to the magic of the Universe.
On the Nine of Pentacles we see a richly clad woman standing in the midst of a lush garden. She appears
successful and affluent, and we may infer that her good fortune is the result of qualities like discipline,
patience, and hard work. However, the depth of meaning in this card is revealed by more than just this
woman’s diligence and wealth. We also see that she is an integral part of the world she has created, and her
harmonious co-existence with her opulent surroundings creates a compelling statement. It urges us to
remember that our actions do more than change the world around us; they also define who we are. When
we strive to create a better world, we also improve ourselves, and through our efforts to improve ourselves,
we create a better world as well. The two efforts are intertwined and synergistic.
accomplishment, and the end of a cycle. It is when our past efforts pay off and when we reap what we have
sown (for better or for worse). This month we will look at the Nines in the Tarot’s Minor Arcana, and these
numerological considerations will provide a framework for that exploration.
On the Rider Waite Smith Tarot’s Nine of Wands, a wounded and seemingly fatigued man stands before a
wall of wands. Although he appears weary of fighting, we get the impression that he will if he has to, for he
has attained a deep reservoir of strength forged in past battles. One message that this card offers is that
maturity involves both the ability to fight when we must and the wisdom to avoid a fight when we can. On
the other hand, the barrier of wands standing behind this man says that maybe he has become defensive. In
that case, we can see the importance of being able to discern when something is a threat and when it is not.
Also, the value of the difficult experiences that forge our character lies in what we do with them. Do we
grow as a result and become stronger and wiser, or do we let our troubles embitter us so that we become
cynical, distrustful and quick to lash back at any perceived offense? This choice is ours to make.
Turning to the Nine of Cups, we find a more cheerful image. Here we see a grinning man sitting in front of
a table on which a row of cups are lined. This card shows someone basking in the glow of his achievements,
thus depicting traits like contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction. Implicitly, these characteristics all
depend upon appreciation. But while it is easy to appreciate success and good fortune when it befalls us
(although it still bears repeating that we should do so), it is the much harder practice of appreciating the
value of everything in our lives that brings us deep and lasting contentment. So a valuable piece of advice
in this card is to take time now and then to list some of our smaller and less-obvious blessings and give
thanks for them.
The poignant image of a woman sitting in bed with her head buried in her hands sets a somber tone for the
Nine of Swords. Above her looms a row of swords, like nine ominous Swords of Damocles, and the
connotations of worry, anxiety, and despair are obvious here. Sometimes when we find ourselves in the
midst of trouble and sorrow, we surrender to unreasonable fears, and then we get an oppressive feeling that
life is hopeless, much like what we see depicted in this card. In such circumstances the Nine of Swords is a
vivid illustration of a quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: "It is such a secret place, the land of tears." But
I also try to see this as the “Pandora card” wherein it says that although misfortunes have swarmed out of
their box, at the bottom of Pandora’s box there was hope, and this is true in our own lives as well. Hope
(which the quilt on the bed in this illustration can symbolize) is always waiting for us to let it out of the box,
and it is like a doorway to the magic of the Universe.
On the Nine of Pentacles we see a richly clad woman standing in the midst of a lush garden. She appears
successful and affluent, and we may infer that her good fortune is the result of qualities like discipline,
patience, and hard work. However, the depth of meaning in this card is revealed by more than just this
woman’s diligence and wealth. We also see that she is an integral part of the world she has created, and her
harmonious co-existence with her opulent surroundings creates a compelling statement. It urges us to
remember that our actions do more than change the world around us; they also define who we are. When
we strive to create a better world, we also improve ourselves, and through our efforts to improve ourselves,
we create a better world as well. The two efforts are intertwined and synergistic.
| This article is copyright © James Ricklef; all rights reserved. Please do not use anything without permission. To get permission, contact James, and explain what you intend to use it for. |
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