Number 9 tarot quiz: the Hermit, the Moon and nines
Why does The Moon reduce to The Hermit? Test how the four Nines live through being almost there and what they say when they land side by side.
- 5 questions
- ≈ 2 min
- +5 bronze keys for a flawless run
What does the number 9 quiz test?
This quiz is about nine, the last single-digit number, standing right at the line. It checks which Major Arcana reduce to nine, how the four Minor Arcana Nines differ and what they say in a reading alongside their neighbours. Each run draws five of twelve questions.
The family of nine has two arcana. The Hermit is card IX and The Moon is XVIII, and 1 + 8 makes nine. Both cards are about walking alone and in half-light. The Hermit carries his own lantern and looks for the answer within; The Moon leads down a road where intuition blurs into fear. Nine reminds you that the last stretch is often walked without a crowd.
What does the number nine mean in tarot?
Everything a suit has gathered since the Ace is nearly complete in the nine. The experience is there and the result is in sight, but the full stop hasn't been written yet; the Ten will do that. So a nine describes the state of 'almost' and a very personal moment, alone with whatever you have managed to collect.
That 'almost' can be lived in different ways. The Nine of Wands stands guard on the last line. The Nine of Cups enjoys a wish come true. The Nine of Swords lies awake imagining the worst. The Nine of Pentacles lives calmly in comfort of its own making and has nothing left to prove.
How do nines sound in a reading?
Nines are very sensitive to context. Beside calm cards even the Wands' guard reads as healthy caution, while beside heavy Swords even the joy of Cups can turn out to be a way of muffling worry. Two nines show two areas of life nearing a resolution at once, three highlight self-reliance, and all four mark a time of interim results.
A reversed nine says the result is there, yet tiredness, high expectations or reluctance to ask for help stop you from feeling it's yours. Take the quiz to check how you read these shades; a flawless run earns keys.
All questions and answers
Open after you play: the full question set with right answers and explanations.
1. Which arcanum, like The Hermit, reduces to nine?
Right answer: The Moon
The Moon is card XVIII: 1 + 8 = 9. Like The Hermit, it's about walking alone and in half-light.
2. What does the number nine stand for in the Minor Arcana?
Right answer: Nearly there, not done
A nine is the state of 'almost': the result is visible but not sealed. The Ten will close the suit.
3. Why does the nine stand right at the line?
Right answer: It's the last single digit
Nine is the last single-digit number: only the Ten lies beyond, where the suit's cycle closes.
4. How many figures appear on most nines?
Right answer: One: the step is taken alone
Many nines show one figure: the ninth step is taken without a crowd, leaning on your own resources.
5. Which nine is a defence on the last stretch of the road?
Right answer: Nine of Wands
The Nine of Wands is endurance near the goal: much strength is spent, and the suit's peak looks like a guard post.
6. A nine that hides its anxiety from everyone. Which one is it?
Right answer: The Nine of Swords
The Nine of Swords keeps its worry hidden, though a talk with someone close would often lift half the load.
7. A nine sums up the suit's final result.
Right answer: Myth
A nine is 'almost': the result is near, but the Ten puts the full stop where the cycle closes.
8. Which nine gets on calmly without anyone's help?
Right answer: Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles values its own space: its comfort is self-made, and there's nothing left to prove.
9. The Nine of Wands and Nine of Swords together. What matters most?
Right answer: Give yourself a break
This pair is fatigue multiplied by worry. Rest matters more right now than any new task.
10. A nine is followed by the Ace of the same suit. What does it mean?
Right answer: The cycle closes early
When an Ace follows a nine, the cycle may close sooner than expected and open a new door straight away.
11. Three nines in one spread highlight which theme?
Right answer: Self-reliance
Much has been done on your own, and others may not know what it cost. Acknowledge your achievements out loud.
12. What does a reversed nine mean in general?
Right answer: A result, but little joy
Being nearly there feels distorted: tiredness, high expectations or reluctance to ask for help get in the way.