Let’s compare the Nine of Wands!
The Nine of Wands starts the ending of our journey through the Suit of Wands.
The Nine of Wands comes to us as the signal that trials are coming to an end. In the Santa Muerte deck, we can see the figure slashing away with as scythe at some branches that are in her way. According to the guide book for the Tarot of the Divine, the Nine of Wands card is based off the mythos of the Baba Yaga and one of her stories, involving a girl called Vasilisa, the subject of this card.
For those unfamiliar with the Baba Yaga, she is a witch of Russian folklore, known for kidnapping wandering children and eating them, her house on chicken leg stilts. She is known as a figure similar to the witches of older legend, that prey on children and are mean and spiteful. The tale of Vasilisa chronicles of a girl that is forced into the Baba Yaga’s woods by her spiteful step-family to fetch fire for the family. Vasilisa is forced into the servitude of the Baba Yaga until the Baba Yaga releases her. Here is a brief synopsis of the tale.
The story serves as a tale that by enduring the challenges set before you, you can survive by staying true to yourself. While the Nine of Wands from the Santa Muerte deck is more face-value, the image of hard-work is not lost to the observer.
I feel that without knowing the story behind the Tarot of the Divine, the card is slightly harder to interpret at face value. Before searching into the story, this card would’ve told me to be wary and to be cautious. I think the colors of red in both cards are used as a warning, showing the viewer that there are things to watch out for, whether that be challenges or trials that are forced upon you by others.
Head back to the Overview to see more!
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