Barbara Walker Tarot - Nine of Wands: Defense

Behind nine bars, a naked savage crouches mistrustfully and clutches his knife. The barred cave signifies either defense or imprisonment, in either case a need for protection from something dangerous. The naked savage of the inner mind might be confined for the sake of those outside, or he may seek confinement in a fortress of his own making. This means a hidden position, insecurity, suspicion, inner doubts, barriers, expectation of trouble.