DEFENSIVENENSS PERSERVERANCE STAMINA
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DEFENDING YOURSELF assuming ill will expecting the worst taking extra precautions being paranoid feeling wary and guarded protecting others remembering past attacks Reversed Early Phase: You may become wary. You may need to defend yourself. Someone may start getting paranoid. The atmosphere may become guarded. Protection may be necessary. Late Phase: You're no longer defensive. The need to be guarded is ending. There's less chance of an attack now. The mood of paranoia is decreasing. Extra precautions are no longer required. |
PERSEVERING persisting despite all setbacks refusing to take “no” for an answer seeing something through to the end getting knocked down, then standing up keeping your resolve trying repeatedly Reversed Early Phase: Your resolve may grow. You may get more committed. People may show more determination. You may decide to keep going. Multiple attempts may become necessary. Late Phase: Commitment is weakening. You're not trying as hard now. Your resolve is fading. You got knocked down and don't want to get up again. The effort no longer seems worth it. |
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continuing despite fatigue holding fast drawing on hidden reserves holding together through force of will demonstrating physical strength keeping up the pace |
Reversed Early Phase: Your strength may return. It may get easier to keep up the pace. You may develop more stamina. You may need to hold fast. A test of staying power may be coming up. Late Phase: Your energy is decreasing. Your strength is wearing out. It's no longer possible to keep going. Your endurance is not what it was. You're letting up a bit. The test of your staying power is ending. |
Description
The figure on the Nine of Wands has definitely been through tough times. His head and arm are bandaged, and he's leaning on a “crutch.” This fighter has seen some battles, but he's still standing! He's hurt, but he's not down. When we have had a bad experience, we feel weary and battle-scarred. Even if we aren't hurt physically, our psyches are wounded. Our openness, innocence, and trust are gone, replaced by wary defensiveness.
In readings, the Nine of Wands can be a warning that you must proceed carefully. Keep a watchful eye because there is the possibility that you will be hurt. Life's lessons can be hard sometimes, especially when hopes have been dashed. It is natural to feel defensive at such times, but try to avoid becoming bitter. What wounded you is also a source of strength.
Strength is the other aspect of the Nine of Wands. This fighter is tough. He has the physical stamina and the inner drive to persist despite all setbacks. In The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an android from the future who never gives up. In the end he is nothing but a wire framework with glowing eyes, but he still keeps coming—dragging himself along the floor to his goal. This is the spirit of the Nine of Wands (without the evil intent!). This card tells you to keep going no matter what. Even if everyone and everything seems to be against you right now, don't give up. Within you are the hidden reserves you need to prevail.
Some Possible Opposing Cards
Three of Cups—friendship, trusting someone
Six of Cups—innocence, believing the best
Eight of Cups—weariness, fatigue
Some Possible Reinforcing Cards
Strength—endurance, resolve, heart
Seven of Wands—defending a position, holding out
Two of Swords—being defensive, closing yourself off
Eight of Pentacles—persistence
