Tarotcard Nine of Cups Archieven

Tag: Tarotcard Nine of Cups

The Nine of Cups is a card from the Minor Arcana.
In the Rider-Waite-Smith version, you see a man sitting on a bench with his arms crossed. Behind him are nine cups arranged in an arc. The man is somewhat stout in build, and his face is flushed. It’s clear that this is a bon vivant, a man who enjoys the pleasures of life.

There are many layers and interpretations, but the most common meaning is “contentment” — feeling good in your own skin, having your affairs in order, and enjoying life. It reflects a sense of being satisfied with earthly or material things.
This doesn’t mean that emotions are entirely absent, as is sometimes assumed. Rather, it’s a worldly happiness or contentment, and therefore a bit more superficial.

In Eteilla’s system, the card is associated with “business success”, while in Crowley’s Thoth Tarot it is labeled “happiness” (pleasure or joy).

In some cases, the reversed or negative interpretation suggests that someone may be emotionally immature, or too pleased with themselves — self-satisfied, superficial or even arrogant.

Tarotcard Nine of Cups from the Waite-Smith deck

The Nine of Cups recently made an appearance during a reading someone did on Earth Day (the Ubuntu spread I shared on Instagram). It’s not exactly the kind of card that hits you over the head with spiritual fireworks. A man on a bench, arms contentedly crossed, looks out at the world with a face that says, “Look at me, doing just fine.” Behind him: nine perfectly arranged cups. Red cheeks, ample belly, open coat. You don’t have to be psychic to think: this guy’s enjoying himself.

This card is often labeled as “superficial satisfaction.” Or worse: smugness. And let’s be honest, in our culture, being that pleased with yourself is frowned upon. Real spirituality, the message seems to be, should involve suffering, depth, and a solid dose of introspection. A tortured mystic is preferred over a contented hedonist — such is the New Age dogma.