Are you ready for the culmination of your spiritual journey so far? A test of the lessons learned, a taste of the rewards to come? If you’ve just pulled a 9 in the Tarot, you’d better be!

　　Life comes at us fast. We might not always be prepared for the intensity of receiving a 9 in the Tarot, but if it’s here in your Tarot spread, one thing’s for sure — it’s ready for you. If you’re a bit stumped as to what exactly your particular 9 is trying to say, have no fear! It even might be less complicated than you think.

　　Today we’ll explore what the number 9 in the Tarot means — what blessings, trials, or difficulties it might have in store when you come to face one.

　　

What Does a 9 Represent in the Tarot?

If there is one thing that can be said for certain about the Universe, astrology, Tarot, and all the other wonders of the world, it’s that everything connects.

　　In September, the 9th month of the year, we celebrate Virgo season, who rules over The Hermit, which is… you guessed it! It’s the 9th card of the Major Arcana in the Tarot.

　　As The Hermit itself is about reflection and the collection of wisdom through self-realization and personal experience, it’s unsurprising that the number 9 in the Tarot has a large spiritual significance overall.

　　When you receive a 9, you thus may be ready to put all your previous efforts to the test before reaching the 10, which is often representative of a conclusion. Whether it’s a small taste of the rewards to come, a final trial before the real storm, or something else entirely that may catch you off guard, a 9 shows us what it really means to have everything connect.

　　Rest assured, you have the answers you need in order to get through it.

　　

Life Path 9

There are few who may understand and resonate with the frequency of a 9 more than those who actually fall under Life Path 9. These unique folks are born with an eye for interconnectedness and unity, and understand at a core level what it means to see the bigger picture.

　　Don’t know what your Life Path Number is? Find out with our Life Path Number Calculator.

　　Life Path 9’s, unlike other Life Path numbers, often have careers and callings all over the map. They may be doctors, lawyers, caregivers, teachers, or something else entirely; they understand the importance of every career because they understand that everything has value that they themselves may not even be able to comprehend.

　　Thus, Life Path 9’s are a great example of what it means to embody the kind of worldly wisdom that a 9 in the Tarot asks of you. More so than one kind of knowledge, going with the flow of 9 means accepting its diverse varieties.

　　Read this next: The Perfect Career for You, Based On Your Life Path Number!

　　

The 9’s of Tarot Through Each Suit

We now know that a 9 in itself can mean variety — a variety of tests, a variety of knowledge, a variety of basically whatever the universe decides you need at that moment in time. Thankfully, however, the 9’s through each suit in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot can be a little more specific, and offer some clearer insight on what to expect when you see a certain 9.

　　Let’s take a look!

　　

9 of Wands

One of the biggest challenges and lessons learned in the suit of Wands up until this point has been the question of speed, passion, and fiery pursuits of action.

　　What better the ultimate test to look like other than a test of patience?

　　The 9 of Wands asks you to take a pause, and seriously examine the situation around you. At the same time, you’re being asked to still maintain your willpower and passion, and use the gifts of the suit of Wands to your advantage in this precarious situation.

　　It is the perfect place overall to test your will, strength, and internal fire.

　　

9 of Swords

It’s unsurprising that one of the biggest tests of the 9’s comes in the suit of Swords, where tragedy stirs and mental battles ensue.

　　While the 8 of Swords can be both physical and mental restrictions at play, the 9 of Swords is purely an internal battle. Think: nightmares, anxieties, and your worst fears, all coming to play at once. The good news? All 9’s imply that you have everything you need already within you; there are no more lessons to be learned.

　　So take a deep breath when you find the 9 of Swords, and remember you are the best equipped for the situation at hand.

　　

9 of Pentacles

There are no more tests when it comes to the 9 of Pentacles, as the work has been done in all of the steps before.

　　Maybe you’ll be a little surprised to see how much fortune really comes through when the 9 of Pentacles arrives. In reality, however, there is nothing surprising nor strange about the abundance within the 9 of Pentacles, as it is only the natural culmination of much hard work put into motion.

　　Perhaps the “test” is the ability to enjoy and accept the rewards you receive once you reach this most auspicious card.

　　

9 of Cups

There are many lessons learned when it comes to matters of the heart. In the suit of Cups, we wrestle with heartbreak, soulmates, nostalgia, and much more.

　　The underlying, important core theme in all of these things, however, is our perception of self-love, self-respect, and how much we believe we deserve. The 9 of Cups is the culmination of all of our desires that come from a pure place within our heart, whether this is a relationship, simply a pure love for oneself, or even money or fortune.

　　The point is that we must claim what we know to be true to our hearts.

　　

To summarize…

“Intense” may even be an understatement when it comes to describing the 9’s of the Tarot. In reality, how the situations in each suit manifest may look different from person to person, as there is an abundance of lessons that can be learned at any time.

　　Regardless of what it ultimately means for you to see a 9, it is undeniable that it’s a bit of a compliment from the Universe to receive one. You’ve tread the path for quite some time, and now it’s time to be put to the ultimate test of each suit!

　　If you need a refresher on lessons learned thus far, however, the other numbers of the Tarot may just hold the answers you seek.

　　Catch up on the other numerology-themed Tarot articles in the series below!

　　Aces of the Tarot2’s of the Tarot3’s of the Tarot4’s of the Tarot5’s of the Tarot6’s of the Tarot7’s of the Tarot8’s of the Tarot