Western Tarot symbolism
Nine of Wands
The figure waits with an expectant look, as though an enemy may approach. The other staves form an orderly barrier, and the main reading calls the card strength in opposition. Delay and suspension accompany that interpretation, while the additional list summarises the card as generally unfavourable. The source thus preserves a tension between endurance and adverse circumstances.
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In the sources
The card account
LiteraryThe figure waits with an expectant look, as though an enemy may approach. The other staves form an orderly barrier, and the main reading calls the card strength in opposition.
Comparing the lists
LiteraryDelay and suspension accompany that interpretation, while the additional list summarises the card as generally unfavourable. The source thus preserves a tension between endurance and adverse circumstances.
Context & interpretation
The active library scan carries L. W. de Laurence’s name and reproduces material associated with A. E. Waite’s Tarot exposition. This entry follows that supplied edition’s card prose and supplementary lists. Historical divinatory assignments and period character labels are distinguished from the pictured symbolism and from independently supported judgements about people or future events.
Original passages
Source 1
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination
like a palisade. Divinalory Meanings: The card signifies strength in opposition. H attacked, the person will meet an onslaught boldly ; and his build shows thatOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Illustrated Key to the Tarot, supplied de Laurence edition; card description, active reader leaf 97
Exact supplied-edition extracted passage actually read; whitespace-normalised quotation anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Image descriptions attributed to printed prose; no new full-plate visual inspection asserted.
- Edition
- IMJ-0149-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0149-E001-P0097
- Original scan leaf
- 103
- Recorded leaf number
- 103
- Current Reader position
- 97
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Source 2
The Illustrated Key to the Tarot: The Veil of Divination
Nine.—Generally speaking, a bad card. Eight.—Domestic disputes for a married person. Seven.—A dark child. Six.—Servants may lose the confidence of their masters ; a young ladyOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Illustrated Key to the Tarot, supplied de Laurence edition; additional meanings, active reader leaf 150
Exact supplied-edition extracted passage actually read; whitespace-normalised quotation anchor and original-leaf mapping checked. Image descriptions attributed to printed prose; no new full-plate visual inspection asserted.
- Edition
- IMJ-0149-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0149-E001-P0150
- Original scan leaf
- 156
- Recorded leaf number
- 156
- Current Reader position
- 150
- Reader verification
- Matches the reviewed Reader
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Ace of Wands
A hand from a cloud presents the suit's single stout wand.
Shared source pageEight of Wands
Flying wands carry the numbered suit into an image of swift motion.
Shared source pageFive of Wands
Five youths brandish staves in a scene described as mock combat.
Shared source pageFour of Wands
A garland joins four foreground staves beside a bridge and a house.