The Nines show us that we’re nearing the end of a cycle except for one last trial. You’ve been met with challenges and success, but can you bear the weight of it? Can you accept what is to come?

Qualities of the Nine

You’re almost out of breath on your final sprint but the finish line is in sight. However, there’s one last hurdle before you reach it. The Nines signify what you’ve poured your hopes and dreams and effort into, and now, the end is nigh. You’re about to hit the culmination point, and the appearance of the Nines is asking you to consider looking back and reflecting on the journey that’s gotten you to this point.

Much experience and wisdom has been gained throughout, and so the themes of each suit can point to what area of life you should reflect on. Perhaps there’s still wishes of material success to meet emotional needs, the desire to persevere for one’s resolute ideals, a lingering worry about things not working out, or the feeling may be you have not “achieved enough.” These are some of the metaphorical hurdles represented in each suit.

This number in the tarot asks for deep self-reflection and conscientiousness. Acknowledging how far you’ve come can open the door to the vibrant panorama that is the Tens. Some common themes in the Nines are maturity, solitude, self-reflection, past experiences, longevity, and final hurdles.

Numerology of Nine

In numerology, the number nine embodies completion. It represents the end of the numerological cycle and signals that as the previous door closes, a new one opens. Inner wisdom and compassion are hallmarks of this number because it uses its past experiences to derive empathy and knowledge.

The number nine also has to do with self-mastery and achieving high spiritual consciousness. In other words, nine is about the perfect integration between the physical body and the soul body. Below, are some cultural examples of the number nine’s symbolism.

In Norse Mythology, Odin hung on the World Tree for nine days and nine nights (Fun fact: this is the cultural reference for The Hanged Man). Plus, the World Tree known as Yggdrasil has nine realms. This story symbolizes the power of spiritual growth through stillness and solitude. In Ancient Egypt, there are nine major gods and goddesses, illustrating the completeness and wholeness of the number nine. Buddhism, especially the Nichiren sect, has the nine levels of consciousness believed to encompass a person’s life experience. Additionally, this experience is represented in a person’s body and mind, further emphasizing this idea that nine is a spiritual number.

Major Arcana: The Hermit and The Moon

The Hermit is the ninth major arcana, and this card is about spiritual enlightenment. It’s about seeking answers in solitude and using your inner compass as a guide as represented by the lantern. This is your soul-searching card, which is very appropriate for the number nine.

The Moon (XVIII) is the card of fear and the subconscious. The card represents illusions, animal instinct, and anxiety — it represents all the things we cannot see and all the things we cannot control. The only cure for the issues listed is listening to one’s intuition.

These two cards are quite solemn on their own: The Hermit is lonesome on their own rocky path, while the animals in the Moon card are barking at and bathing in this strange moonlight. There’s an eeriness to each of the cards as well, representing the feeling that perhaps you are at the precipice of something different but you just haven’t encountered it yet. This ties into the feeling of the nines; the inkling of a turning point.

The spiritual and subconscious feelings of the number nine are depicted well in the meaning of these cards. Intuition is king and relying on it is your best bet to getting through a tough situation. The traditional image of the Hermit shows the Star of Solomon which is an emblem of wisdom. When you fear the future, these cards indicate that your past experiences have prepared you for what’s to come.

Keywords for the Nines in Tarot

Upright meanings:

• Spiritual consciousness or fulfillment
• Solitude
• Independence
• Final obstacles
• Perseverance, persevering or the result of perseverance
• Self-reflection
• The ending of a cycle and the sign of a new one

Reversed meanings:

• Giving up early
• Not letting go of the past
• Not ready to move on
• Ruminations
• Fearing solitude
• Diminishing one’s own accomplishments

Nines in Tarot Overview

Nine of Wands

You’re almost at the finish line! However, there are some final obstacles in your way. What do you do? The Nine of Wands is a test of courage and determination. Things have been tough, but are you going to see things through? This is reminder to push through even when it gets really hard. This is also a card of enforcing boundaries.

Nine of Cups

This card is often the “wish” card, signifying that your wish will be granted soon. I also see this as the spiritual enlightenment card, or what one feels is spiritual enlightenment. There is a sense of materialism associated with this card, so it’s important to be mindful that the satisfaction is from the emotional fulfillment, not just the items acquired. But overall, this card is about abundance and being content with what you have manifested.

Nine of Swords

The Nine of Swords is about anxieties and fears we’re carrying within our minds and bodies. When it shows up in a reading, it’s reminding us that the boogeymen are just a part of our imaginations, nothing more. We might be exacerbating a problem we have in our daily lives, so it’s important to look at what is causing these issues. On the other hand, it could signify that we’re having poor sleep and need to get on a better schedule. There may also be a message in your dreams to pay attention to at this time.

Nine of Pentacles

This card shows that your labor has finally given fruit and it’s time to enjoy! Through discipline and self-confidence, you’ve created a stable foundation for your material wealth and comfort. This is also a period to acknowledge your success and your independent ability to create a life for yourself. There’s also a sense of aesthetic with this card, and it may be a sign to invest in beauty or beautifying something. Doing things for the pleasure and luxury of it is a hallmark of this card.

Deck used: Tarot of the Witch’s Garden by Sasha Graham