Sagittarius in the 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 (this year, 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.  

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Druid Craft Tarot

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!

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 many Waite-Smith-based decks, we see a figure fighting an unseen foe. He appears to be defending his territory, drawing on the resources he has at hand – a wand, representing his inner courage and integrity.  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.

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Thoth Tarot

The Thoth, as usual, shows this differently but the message is the same.  The symbolism in the card, with the Sun and Moon at either end of the large wand, represents the strength that comes from the joining of the conscious (Sun) and the unconscious (Moon) – another link back to Temperance and the idea of blending or combining energies.  When we see the Moon in the sky, it’s only because it’s reflecting the light of the Sun. Similarly here, 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.

Nine of Wands (trimmed):

© Shadowscapes Tarot

The Shadowscapes’ Nine of Wands seems to echo this idea.  We see nine sentinels, guarding against the unknown – whatever’s lurking in the abyss below (the unconscious).  The creators of the deck talk of ‘vigilance’ – keeping watch, defending our dreams and aspirations through our inner strength (and perhaps our outer strength too) against whatever might challenge us.

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

Shadowscapes Tarot created by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn

Thoth Tarot created by Aleister Crowley, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

The strength of Fire - Margarete Petersen’s Nine of Flames

For once I can see a similarity between Margarete Petersen’s image and the RWS-based decks. A figure rests his head on one hand and – although it might be my imagination – I see his other hand on his head! A fire rages in the background – more focused than in previous cards, more reminiscent of the Ace’s flame. 

 

Nine of Flames (trimmed): © Margarete Petersen Tarot

I can also make out a faint outline of a feline, but nowhere near as defined as in the Six, Seven, and Eight. It’s as if the energies of the previous cards have been internalized (for want of a better word) in the Nine – which could be seen as inner strength, my usual take on this card - using our internal resources to keep on keeping on, and perhaps defending what we hold dear. Margarete Petersen calls this the ‘fire of healing and maturing’; having learned how to handle fire through experience we can now ignite and direct the fire ourselves. 

Astrologically, there’s a link to the Sun in Sagittarius - Fire and Fire!. The Sun rules Leo, the lion, which we often see in traditional RWS-versions of Strength.  The Sun also suggests a sense of the individual; here in the Nine of Wands the focus is using our strength to stand up for what we belief in - and perhaps holding a more optimistic philosophical view of the world (through Sagittarius and its ruler Jupiter).  

Fire rages within,

Creating and destroying:
Strength controls passion.

Margarete Petersen Tarot, AGM-URANIA, 2004. www.tarotworld.com