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Above all things, know thyself.
The Rider-Waite-Smith nine of Wands, depicts an injured man leaning on a leafy (fertile) staff/Wand as if awaiting further attacks from some enemy. Around him (or her) are the other eight wands/staffs formed in a palisade of protection. All this imagery signifies strength in opposition, for although previously injured, when attacked again this one will meet the attack with force. Along with this primary meaning, there are also the possible adjuncts that come with it, including delay, suspension, and adjournment.
Archeon Tarot- Nine of Wands
RWS-9 of Wands
The Nine of Wands — Strength Through Vigilance
Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot
The Rider–Waite–Smith Nine of Wands depicts a wounded warrior who, despite injury and fatigue, stands his ground. Behind him, eight wands form a palisade of defense—his past trials solidified into experience. He leans upon a single living, leafy wand, suggesting that his will remains fertile and alive.
This image speaks of perseverance through adversity, of strength born from experience rather than innocence. The warrior’s wounds are his wisdom; each scar a glyph of resilience. He stands alert yet not broken—vigilant, self-aware, and prepared for whatever may come
Archeon Tarot- Nine of Wands
Archeon Tarot
The Archeon Tarot Nine of Wands carries a similar yet more mystical gravity. Here the warrior stands upon elevated ground, a position of spiritual vantage. Nine staffs surround him, forming a fiery wall of containment—energy mastered through vigilance. Above his head rises a Full Red Moon, crowning him in the luminous fire of intuition.
This Moon is not merely decorative—it signifies the Anima, the inner feminine Muse, the intuitive strength that crowns the rational warrior below. Thus, this warrior’s dominance is not born of aggression but of sacred union: the fusion of instinct and intellect, intuition and will.
Hermetic and Qabalistic Insight
Both cards resonate with the Moon in Sagittarius, an astrological pairing of great potency. Here the mutable Moon—symbol of emotional rhythm and receptivity—enters the domain of the Archer, whose fiery arrow seeks truth, freedom, and expansion. This marriage produces a Soul that refuses to yield to confinement. The inner call is always toward the horizon of liberation, even when wounds and memories attempt to anchor the psyche to old battles.
On the Tree of Life, this corresponds to Yesod (the Moon) in Atziluth (the Archetypal World of Fire). The Sephirah of Foundation, normally associated with the subconscious and dream world, here blazes within the element of Fire—emotion transmuted into will. The result is the disciplined sentinel of the Soul: one who guards the flame of consciousness within the fortress of experience.
Fire and Sexual Strength
Fire is Ardor. Every Wand in the deck represents this living current of generative will—the very erotic pulse of Spirit.
The phallic wands, crowned with green leaves remind us that true power arises when sexual vitality is consciously directed, not squandered.
Thus, this card does not merely symbolize endurance in battle, but the containment of desire within focus—the orgasm held in poise, the will disciplined into creative potency.
When the Anima (Moon) and Animus (Sun) act in harmony, we witness solar reasoning illuminated by lunar intuition—the perfect equilibrium of masculine focus and feminine depth. This union gives birth to the true “Strength” implied by this card: not resistance alone, but luminous endurance.
Keynotes
Keywords: Vigilance · Defense · Limit · Attention · Endurance · Ardor
Astrology: Moon in Sagittarius
Qabalah: Yesod in Atziluth
Element: Fire
Esoteric Title: Lord of Great Strength
Light Aspect
Steadfast courage after trial
Emotional discipline and watchfulness
Strength drawn from spiritual alignment
The sacred marriage of intuition and will
Maintaining passion through endurance
Shadow Aspect (or inverted card)
Paranoia masquerading as prudence
Fatigue mistaken for vigilance
Clinging to defensive postures
Overcontrol of emotional expression
Fear of vulnerability after battle
Hermetic Commentary
Both the RWS and Archeon warriors stand within the Circle of Fire—one behind a palisade, one upon a mountain. Each depicts a moment of poised will, when the soul refuses to break beneath the weight of its own experiences.
Here, Strength is not aggression but the calm power of containment. The Fire burns steadily, not explosively.
It is the Tantric Fire of self-possession—Will illuminated by Love.
Thus, the Nine of Wands reminds the Initiate:
“Guard your flame, but let it shine.
For the true warrior defends not from fear,
but from reverence for the light within.”
The Moon in Sagittarius in astrology is believed to influence emotional tendencies and behaviors in alignment with the traits associated with the Sagittarius zodiac sign. Here are some characteristics of the Moon in the house of Sagittarius:
Optimistic Emotions: Individuals with the Moon in Sagittarius often have an optimistic and positive approach to their emotions. They tend to see the brighter side of life and are generally cheerful.
Adventurous Nature: Emotional fulfillment for these individuals often comes through exploration and adventure. They may seek excitement and new experiences to satisfy their emotional needs.
Freedom-Loving: Moon in Sagittarius individuals value their freedom and independence in emotional matters. They may feel constrained by too much routine or restrictions, preferring a more open and flexible approach.
Philosophical Reflection: Emotional responses are often influenced by a philosophical perspective. These individuals may reflect on their feelings, seeking deeper meanings and understanding the emotional aspects of life.
Direct Communication: They tend to express their emotions openly and directly. Honest communication is important to them, and they may find it challenging to navigate around indirect or subtle expressions of feelings.
Generosity and Empathy: Moon in Sagittarius individuals are generally generous and empathetic. They may feel emotionally fulfilled when helping others or engaging in acts of kindness.
Restless Energy: There can be a sense of restlessness in their emotional nature, leading them to seek variety and change. Routine may feel confining, and they may need constant mental and emotional stimulation.
It's important to note that the complete astrological profile involves considering the positions of other planets, the Ascendant, and more. Individual birth charts provide a more detailed and accurate analysis of an individual's personality and emotional tendencies.
The Nine of Wands — Strength Through Vigilance
The Discipline of the Inner Fire
This card also warns of the necessity of controlling one’s interests and impulses, for if one does not, there can arise dangerous instability. The same flame that lights the sacred lamp can also ignite destruction when unfocused.
The Nine of Wands speaks to a consciousness under pressure — a mind aware of the explosive potential within the self. It is the moment of poise between mastery and eruption.
What is of paramount importance is to remember that even the most seemingly “balanced” individuals harbor primitive, subconscious instincts—the raw, untamed forces of survival that dwell within the depths of Yesod, the Moon’s sphere. These elemental drives, when denied or repressed, become the very monsters that burst forth unbidden.
Hence, the true Adept does not seek to destroy or deny these energies but to acknowledge and transmute them. Awareness is the first act of containment. By understanding that these instincts exist within the “survival mind” of the subconscious, one becomes equipped to navigate the theatre of masks and illusions that constitutes ordinary human life.
In the world of appearances, where personas masquerade as souls, the vigilant one learns to remain awake within the dream—neither suppressing nor indulging the inner fire, but directing it consciously. This is the alchemy of the Wands: the forging of Will from raw desire.
Hermetic Reflection
From the Hermetic view, this is the trial of the Fire of Yesod—the lunar volcano that feeds the personality. It is not evil, only elemental. The Magus learns to stand guard at the threshold of their own subconscious gates, knowing that every eruption is a signal of untended fire within.
Therefore, the Nine of Wands becomes not only a card of defense but of spiritual regulation, the art of keeping inner equilibrium while surrounded by psychic turbulence.
It teaches:
“Do not fear your own fire—learn its rhythm.
For the vigilant heart commands the storm by listening to its thunder.”
The Reversal of Vision — Spirit Descending Into Form
All this sleight of hand, from invisible to visible, reveals that humanity perceives the Universe through a reversed lens—an inverted reflection of the Divine Image rather than the Original Face. Our perception is filtered through the mirror of Malkuth, the Kingdom, where everything appears upside-down, as if Spirit were trying to climb upward to reclaim its lost divinity. In truth, it is the Divine descending, condensing, and crystallizing Its awareness into form.
We are not mortals aspiring to become divine; we are Spirit becoming intimate with Its own creation. The Infinite is not striving to be more spiritual—it already is pure Spirit. Instead, it yearns to experience the miracle of embodiment, to feel its light reflected through flesh, heartbeat, and sensation.
From the Hermetic standpoint, the process we call “incarnation” is Spirit’s self-embrace—the descent of Kether’s brilliance through the Sephirothic lightning flash into the density of Malkuth. The so-called “fall” of consciousness is not a tragedy but a creative condensation, a deliberate alchemical act. The Universal Divine Creative compresses Its own self-aware data into human image, just as a prism condenses white light into color.
Therefore, every human being is not a pilgrim striving to reach the heavens, but a living experiment of the heavens grounding themselves in matter. Spirit’s true ecstasy is not detachment but participation—its bliss is intimacy with creation.
When we awaken to this realization, the illusion of struggle dissolves: the warrior of the Nine of Wands no longer defends Spirit from matter but becomes the sentinel of their union. The palisade of wands transforms into the Circle of Integration, where Divine Fire burns consciously within the vessel of the human.
Here the strength of your manifestation is realized, when your meditations raise you to the level of Tiphareth (You Solar Self/Soul) and you find out that you are the one being meditated into existence. Therefore, the Truth of Strength is revealed in "Above all things, Know thyself".
"I AM Spirit, seeking intimacy with all creation"'; Hence, "enfleshenment" is the true understanding of the Hero's/Heroine's journey of Self-Awareness. Intimacy requires sensuality and that is what the body gives "Spirit"; However, in the body's brain/subconscious is a deep fear of its own death and is often suffering from a "mind virus", a social egregore, that encourages self-destruction.
Of this, the spirit must be aware, and not suppress it, but acknowledge it and adopt the subconscious with the love of wisdom and understanding and the Truth of Transformation. Unless we are in control of mind and body, our spirit will not be present in this world, nor will it be whole. This lack of spiritual presence is shown in lack of Will power over the mind and body.
In gematria, the number 9 holds significant symbolic and mystical meanings. Gematria is an alphanumeric code where each letter of the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a numerical value. This system is used in Kabbalistic/Qabalistic studies to uncover deeper meanings in words, phrases, and texts. Here are some key characteristics and interpretations of the number 9 in gematria:
Completion and Fulfillment:
- The number 9 is often associated with completion and fulfillment. In the decimal system, it is the last single-digit number, symbolizing the end of a cycle. This completion is seen as a prelude to a new beginning, a concept deeply rooted in mystical traditions.
Truth and Light:
- The Hebrew word "אמת" (Emet), meaning "truth," has a gematria value of 9 (Aleph = 1, Mem = 40, Tav = 400; 1 + 40 + 400 = 441; 4 + 4 + 1 = 9). Truth is seen as an eternal and unchanging principle, and the number 9 symbolizes this constancy and clarity.
Spiritual Enlightenment:
- The number 9 is linked to spiritual enlightenment and the pursuit of higher knowledge. It represents the culmination of spiritual development and the attainment of wisdom. This is evident in various mystical traditions where the number 9 is associated with the highest levels of spiritual achievement.
Universal Influence:
- In Kabbalah/Qabalah, the number 9 is connected to the concept of universal influence. It represents the forces that shape and govern the universe. This is illustrated in the Sephiroth, particularly Yesod (Foundation), which is the 9th Sephira on the Tree of Life. Yesod acts as a channel through which divine energy flows into the physical world, bridging the spiritual and material realms.
Multiples of Nine:
- An interesting property of the number 9 is that any number multiplied by 9, when its digits are summed, reduces back to 9. For example, 9 × 3 = 27 (2 + 7 = 9), 9 × 4 = 36 (3 + 6 = 9). This characteristic reinforces the idea of 9 as a symbol of completeness and return.
Humanitarianism and Service:
- In numerology, the number 9 is often associated with humanitarianism, compassion, and selflessness. It is seen as a number that embodies the ideals of service to others and the betterment of humanity. This aligns with the Qabalistic view of 9 as a number of spiritual fulfillment and universal influence.
The Tetragrammaton (YHVH):
- The four letters of the Tetragrammaton (יהוה) correspond to numerical values: Yod (10), He (5), Vav (6), He (5). Adding these values (10 + 5 + 6 + 5) gives 26, which further reduces to 2 + 6 = 8, and 8 + 1 = 9. This connection to the divine name underscores the spiritual significance of the number 9.
In summary, the number 9 in gematria is a powerful symbol representing completion, truth, spiritual enlightenment, and universal influence. Its unique mathematical properties and associations with key Kabbalistic concepts underscore its importance in mystical and esoteric traditions.
You may find it confusing why Aleister Crowley and I use of the spelling "Qabalah" instead of the more common "Kabbalah" which reflects his particular approach and interpretation of this mystical tradition. Here are several reasons for his choice:
Different Traditions:
- The spelling "Kabbalah" is traditionally associated with the Jewish mystical tradition, focusing on the esoteric teachings found in texts such as the Zohar and the Sefer Yetzirah.
- "Cabala" often refers to Christian adaptations of Jewish Kabbalah, which emerged during the Renaissance and incorporated elements of Christian theology.
- "Qabalah" is often used by occultists, including those in the Hermetic tradition, to distinguish their practices and interpretations from the strictly Jewish or Christian forms. This spelling indicates a broader and more eclectic approach.
Thelemic and Hermetic Systems:
- Crowley was a prominent figure in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and later developed his own religious philosophy known as Thelema. The use of "Qabalah" aligns with the terminology and concepts within these esoteric systems, which often blend Kabbalistic teachings with other mystical, magical, and philosophical elements.
- By using "Qabalah," Crowley signaled that his work was part of the Hermetic and Thelemic traditions, which reinterpreted Kabbalistic principles in new and often innovative ways.
Personal Interpretation and Innovation:
- Crowley was known for his individualistic and sometimes idiosyncratic interpretations of mystical and magical systems. His use of "Qabalah" reflects his desire to present a unique and personalized understanding of these ancient teachings.
- This spelling emphasizes the distinctiveness of his approach, incorporating elements from a wide range of esoteric traditions, including Eastern philosophies, Western occultism, and his own revelations.
Phonetic and Symbolic Considerations:
- The letter "Q" in "Qabalah" might have been chosen for its phonetic qualities or symbolic associations. In the English alphabet, "Q" is a less common and more visually striking letter than "K" or "C," perhaps making it more suitable for representing a mystical and esoteric tradition.
- Crowley might have felt that "Qabalah" more accurately conveyed the esoteric nature of the teachings, suggesting a break from conventional interpretations and an invitation to explore deeper, hidden meanings.
Influence of the Golden Dawn:
- The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where Crowley received much of his training, used the spelling "Qabalah" in their teachings. This likely influenced Crowley's preference for this spelling, aligning his work with the Golden Dawn's practices and interpretations.
In summary, Aleister Crowley's use of "Qabalah" reflects his alignment with the Hermetic and Thelemic traditions, his desire to distinguish his interpretations from traditional Jewish and Christian forms, and his emphasis on a unique and personalized approach to these mystical teachings.
Hymn of Descent — The Vigil of the Living Flame
I am the Flame that descends,
not the smoke that rises.I am the Will that condenses Light
into form, into thought, into touch.Spirit does not flee the body;
Spirit becomes the body—
that it might feel Its own brilliance
pulse through the garden of stars.
The Universe does not look upward;
it gazes inward,
where every atom remembers Its name.
I am that remembrance.
I am the seed of Fire resting in matter,
the Heart that dreams the world awake.
Therefore, let my vigilance be joy,
not fear.
Let my defenses be awareness,
not armor.
For I am the Guardian of the Living Flame—
the Magus who stands between Spirit and Flesh,
keeping open the gate of union.
And as I breathe,
the Divine condenses into my breath;
the Infinite knows Itself
through the warmth of my being.
[Do you have questions about Western Hermetic Tarot or Qabalah? Just log onto EliChaGPT and ask. ]
When the 9 of Wands is thrown in a divination, it implies:
- Great strength, power, and recovery from sickness.
- A tremendous inner force that can't be shaken but fear and apprehension will try, without success.
- The illusion of doubt may rear its ugly head, but success will prevail.
- That with the Moon's influence, Illusion is always prevalent, such is the burden of imagination; However, there is such a great strength of Will present, as shown by the Sun as a driving force, that despite the strife and self-doubt, the querent will succeed in all endeavors.
- Imagination may be a burden when fear based, but if used properly, by balancing it with rational thought, it is so light a burden that it becomes pleasurable creativity.
- The Strength of the Fiery balance of Spirit and Body is all potential and has no known limits.
- To love the body as part of the Whole Spirit.
- Attending to the protection of what you created.
- Having a strong immune system.
If reversed, it implies:
- Physiological injuries.
- Contradictions.
- Suppressed sexual urges that come out as aggression and violence.
Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper!
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