Sagittarius in the Druidcraft Minor Arcana: The Nine of Wands

Today we move on to the Nine of Wands which, in the system I follow, corresponds to the first ten days of Sagittarius (2^nd-11^th December) and is linked to the Sun in Sagittarius.

Just to recap: Sagittarius is the mutable Fire sign, so we’re looking at transforming what’s been established into something else.  It combines a fiery passion and creativity with the expansiveness and benevolence of Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, to give us the visionary, the explorer, the philosopher.   

Here we have Sun in Sagittarius - Fire and Fire! Loads of creative energy at work – or should that be play?  That creativity is directed, through Sagittarius’ arrows, at things dreamed of and aspired to.  With the Sun involved, there’s also a sense of the individual; here, the focus is on beliefs and an optimistic philosophical view of the world(s).  Freedom is valued, as is honesty.  Fire and Fire combined with the mutable energy of Sagittarius suggests a warm and friendly, out-going, open spirit who loves to explore the far horizons!

Nine of Wands: Druidcraft (detail)

How is the Sun in Sagittarius reflected in the Nine of Wands?  This card is usually associated with the idea of strength, in particular inner strength. We can see this through the involvement of the Sun, which rules Leo...the lion, often featured in the Strength card. In the Druidcraft version of the Nine of Wands, we see a wounded figure standing behind a barrier of staves, using one of them to lean on. He appears to be protecting himself against something unseen.  

Traditional meaning for the Nine of Wands include emerging from a difficult period, bearing your ‘war wounds’ and on your guard against whatever might be coming next – perhaps fearing that battle might be worse than the last.  It can also represent achieving something but finding it hard to accept what’s been accomplished, as well as recovery from illness.  

In the Druidcraft’s Nine of Wands, the sun is on the horizon. I see it as a rising sun, the strength of the day coming to shine a light on the darkness that’s coming to an end.  Those Sagittarian dreams, visions, aspirations – whatever they might be – have been attacked but the figure, drawing on the strength of the Sun, refuses to let go or give in.

With the passing of the night, or darkness, what lies in our unconscious is brought into ‘the light of day’ by what’s in our conscious mind – once we see that unused potential, more of that fiery, creative Wands (and Sun) energy can be released, and whatever it is that’s ‘attacking’ our position can be overcome.  The strength required to recognise and then use that potential comes from within.

I also like the idea of vigilance in this card – keeping watch, defending our dreams and aspirations through our inner strength (and perhaps our outer strength too) against whatever might challenge us.

Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections