The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC: Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Nine of Cups & The Connolly Tarot- 9 of Cups.

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The Rider-Waite-Smith- 9 of Cups illustrates the more mundane meaning of The Lord of Material Happiness. The smiling figure is enjoying complete success and fulfillment of wishes and proudly displays the wealth of nine golden cups in a moon-like crescent. The blue or aquamarine curtain represents the element of water as does the moon crescent. There is a more subtitle esoteric meaning to this card as the number 9, is the Sephiroth- Yesod [foundation/the Moon] on the Qabalistic Tree of Life. The 9 of Cups is Yesod in the Suit of water, and 9, being also the number of the Moon, strengthens Water's reflection. Thus, the stability is restored to Water. After its wobbly exclusions to Hod -8-left hand path/pillar, and Netzach-right hand path/pillar suit of Water has now returned to the Middle Pillar.

Jupiter

Pisces

Astrologically Jupiter in Pisces is the Ruler of the 9 of Cups, thus adding a benediction that is more than sympathetic to Water. This is obvious since Jupiter is the Planet of Chesed [Mercy} where water is in its highest manifestation. Plus, Pisces brings out the placidity of Water. Therefore, the Nine/9 of Cups is True Wisdom fulfilled in Perfect Happiness.

As you can see upon viewing the Connolly Tarot card, there are 8 cups arranged into a crescent shape around a central cup filled with a rose. The Moon represents the subconsciousness and dreams, illusions, wishes, and intuition. Therefore, this card, as does the RWS card, represents the same free flowing of ideas, of emotions, of thoughts, of inner pictures, Wishes, and of experiences which require no Willful conscious expression. The primary meaning of the Connolly Tarot-9 of Cups is wish- fulfillment. This meaning depends on the placement of the card in the reading and suggests that your wish is fulfilled in the 10th position of a Celtic Cross reading.

Since this card can represent an inner happiness the emotional feeling of happiness wells up from the subconsciousness and/or one's thoughts or emotions may be directed from a reaction to an outside event which may be controlled by the feelings of others--in which case there may be a terrible uncertainty, an inability to focus clearly and a sense of life without purpose. Yet, if perfectly invoked and controlled, this free flow of consciousness can be very constructive as it may mean a meaningful and mystical focus on the personality. Thereby, suggesting a purposeful loosening of the bonds of perceived "reality", and a constant ability to interact with the materials of the subconscious. This card also states, "Treat yourself, for you have been working hard and deserve a spa day". As the Psyche /Soul you should take the time to show your body how much you appreciate and love it for the demanding work it has done preforming whatever action you wished it to.

Symbolically this card is in reference to Moon and Water, which is the symbol for the Divine Mother. Therefore, at its most profound level, this is the card where Mother teaches the Son/Sun (Soul) to Meditate properly.
 

In gematria, the number 9 is also the number of the highest purity of the element it represents. Therefore, a type of Happiness, as a sensationalizing of success and in that case, its natural bonhomie is a hard one to find any negative connotations for. This can be a pleasant card to have in your reading. However, in a Celtic Cross reading, it could be the first card description of the querent crossed by a negative card, such as the 5 or 7 of cups which would suggest why the querent isn't enjoying happiness. Otherwise, be happy for being you makes Spirit happy!

When the 9 of Cups card is thrown during a divination, the querent is or will be experiencing:

• Complete pleasure, and success in a period of 9 weeks or 9 months.
• Complete and perfect realization of pleasure and happiness as wishes are fulfilled.
• There can be some vanity and conceit here, but it is good- natured.

•  High mindedness and not easily satisfied with small, gossipy, limited ideas.
• Such a person may be maligned because of their self-assumption but the querent, being of a good generous, sometimes foolish, nature, makes the malingers look overly critical.
• Concord.
• Contentment.
• Physical bien-être.
• Victory.
• Success.
• Satisfaction.

If ill defined by surrounding cards or reversed, it implies:

• Self-complacency. 
• Vanity.
• Arrogance. 
• Mistakes.
• Imperfections.

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