The number nine is the number of the wisdom of the Moon.  It is also a mathematically magical number - its square root is three and the sum of any number multiplied by nine equals nine when added together (e.g.. 9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9).  Nines can represent struggle, attainment, and having the end in sight.  Wands are associated with inspiration, energy, passion, feeling, enterprise, ambition, matters pertaining to the "spark of life", and the element of fire.  This card often represents having gone through a difficult struggle or battle. 

On the Universal Fantasy (UF) card there is a satyr sitting in front of a tree with 8 branches that seem to be waving in the air above him.  The satyr is playing a flute or other woodwind instrument.  In the distance is a stone archway, perhaps an aqueduct or the entrance to a castle.  In the distance there is a knight working his way along the walkway above the arch.  The satyr seems lost in his music and does see the flowers around him that almost appear to be dancing to his music.  On the Ma'at 9 of Wands there is dusky skinned woman wearing a white cloak standing in the middle of rushes.  She is holding on to a woven basket bearing a sleeping child.  It appears she is making ready to send her child away through the water in hope that he will be safe.  This image is reminiscent of many myths and legends - Moses, Isis & Horus, even King Arthur.  This is the myth of the hero who is raised unaware of his future potential and eventually rise to power and leadership.  It is almost as though these heroes need to go through a humble childhood to prepare them to be wise and just rulers.

The sense of difficult struggle is apparent in the Ma'at card.  I cannot think of anything more difficult than a mother voluntarily sending her child away because she knows that it will be for his benefit.  Even if your mind tells you it's the right thing to do, it must be heart-wrenching for any parent to actually have to take this step, especially as an infant.  Even in cultures that had a tradition of fosterage, the child was not sent from his mother's side until he was a bit older.  To have to send an infant away must be almost more than anyone can bear.  The UF 9 of Wands satyr's struggle is a bot less obvious.  Perhaps his struggle is to continue playing.  Maybe these woods are magical and would work against the invaders represented by the knight.  The satyr may be playing his wind instrument in order to sooth the trees and plants so that the knights are able to breach their defenses.  As enjoyable as playing music might be, I would think having to continue to ensure the success of your people must entail a huge sense of responsibility; a burden on the mind and spirit.

Ultimately the beauty of the 9 of Wands is that the struggle will soon be over, the end of the cycle is near.  As long as we can maintain our commitment and integrity we will triumph in this situation.  In my life this was actually manifested by my experience today.  Today was my first experience co-facilitating a large CPR training workshop.  I was one of about 20 instructors teaching almost 100 students.  We were each given a few students to help practice the techniques and then test their skills.  My group was only 3 women but I also had to make sure that they had the knowledge they would need to pass the written exam.  I was very nervous going into it but once I got to chat with a few of the other instructors and found my rhythm, things went smoother.  I learned that I have to tighten up my presentation style a bit but that ultimately I can do this.  I was just fine.  So of course I offered to help in the future if they need additional trainers.  Now I want to look into getting certified as an RTE (Response to Emergency or Advanced First Aid) instructor too.  I really do enjoy this stuff.

This also opened me up to the realization that I really do want to explore getting more formalized training in Reiki, herbalism and other holistic healing techniques.  As I was reading one book about Reiki and learned the story of how Usui found the symbols used, I was struck by its similarities to Odin's sacrifice to gain the Runes.  That reminded me that someone had created a Reiki-like system using Runes.  That makes so much sense to me.  Now I want to start working with the Runes more and learn more about this system.  I feel as though I'm coming out of a long period of hibernation.  It's as though I'm opening up different pathways that had been unused for too long and now each is connecting with others roads I'd almost forgotten existed.  It's very exciting but a touch overwhelming.  I'm going to have to learn how to prioritize and set a reasonable course and speed so I don't burn out.  My struggle is that my spirit has been reignited and want to dance and sing and play all at once.  It's been ignored for to long so it's soaking up all this positive energy and is starving for more.  As Audrey the plant says in Little Shop of Horrors "feed me Seymour, feed me".

And Part 2 of my Mobile Broadband saga - I brought it back to the store.  They were very nice and said if I had brought the laptop in they would have installed it for me (I didn't even consider that).  At first the salesguy couldn't get the modem to work for him either.  Then he realized it needed a software upgrade.  That took 2 minutes to download and the modem worked fine.  He copied it to my flash drive and I took it home.  I installed it and everything worked fine.  It was just so aggravating that something so simple became a problem because I had no internet access without this card.  How aggravating!  But at least that particular struggle is over.