In cartomancy with playing cards, the Nine of Diamonds (9♦) is the card of advancement.

All nines in playing cards relate to the idea of wishes and hopes. While the Nine of Hearts represents a wish fulfilled and the Nine of Clubs a wish delayed, the Nine of Diamonds represents advancement toward the fulfillment of the wish.

The card is symbolic of all things connected with progress and forward movement. It is one of the best cards to get in a material reading, as it signifies increase and growth (though, if followed by bad cards, the growth can be stalled or denied). It is connected with the amelioration of difficult economic situations and with climbing the social (or corporate) ladder.

The Nine of Diamonds is also the card of promotion and, by extension, recognition. If the querent wants to know if he is going to make a name for himself, that’s the card you want. It shows the querent’s reputation and good name, and in itself it shows a positive reputation. However, if bad cards follow it might be a negative one.

In love readings, the Nine of Diamonds does not speak of feelings. However, it strengthens the couple, showing that they can get past most obstacles and have common goals. It can also give us insight into how other people view the couple, or even how one partner views the other, what they expect from one another, etc.

Psychologically, the Nine of Diamonds indicates self-confidence, or rather the level of self-confidence the querent has, based on the other cards. It can also indicate the querent does things to please others or to gain some kind of recognition or material advantage (usually other than money).

Some Combinations:

9♦ – 9♥ – 7♦ = recognition of some kind (not necessarily world fame. If with 7♥ also, recognition of one’s talent)
8♣ – 9♦ = career advancement, promotion
9♦ – A♣ = advancing toward one’s goals, broadly
9♦ – 3♠ or 8♠ – J♠ = slander
9♦ – 4♠ – 5♠ = loss of status, demotion