Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands represents courage, persistence and resilience. The Figure in this Card looks as if he has been caught off guard. He looks startled and surprised by someone or something that has happened. He is expecting to be attacked at any moment and must be ready to defend himself. There is a sense of anxiety here and an expectation of trouble on the horizon. This may be new trouble or the return of troubles from the past. When referring to relationships, The Nine of Wands indicates that you are very wary of relationships and may indeed have been hurt in the past. It is time to start afresh and trust more.
Nine of Wands (Reversed)
When the Nine of Wands Reverses, we can see the soldier who continues to guard his fortress or post, poised and ready for attack, from an enemy that is never going to appear. You must retreat from the battle ground instead of making a last stand. You have no fight left in you or have decided that the battle is of no importance and a waste of time. You need to step back and view the situation for what it really is. In relationships, it takes two to tango and if you keep tangoing with the wrong people, people who do not dance to the same rhythm as you, then your are bound to get your toes trodden on. It is time to move on.