The Nine of Rods (Wands) and The Fool: Meeting Challenges and The Optimist The Nine of Rods-Meeting the Challenges Head on! You have the Strength and have to Overcome an Obstacle. Flipside: Roadblock or are Unsure of Yourself. The Fool: The Initiate The Initiate, Optimistic. The first step of a Journey. Open to the adventure. Flipside: Recklessness. Not Paying Attention! Meet whatever challenge you are facing by putting the negative self-talk that is blocking you, and start the new adventure without being foolhardy and reckless.