The Nine of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

The Nine of Cups Tarot Table of Contents

• Key Symbolic Meanings
• The Nine of Cups Upright
• The Nine of Cups Reversed
• Metaphysical Correspondences
• Numerology Symbolism of The Nine of Cups
• Back to the Suit of Cups
• Back to the Minor Arcana
• Back to all Tarot Card Meanings

The Nine of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

The Nine of Cups tarot is a card of accomplishment and satisfaction. In a reading, the Nine of Cups also suggests the fulfillment of wishes.

Some people are put off but the man’s smug expression in the Nine of Cups and the way displays the symbols of his success. Just look at all those trophy cups. But a closer look will tell you that he has earned his bragging rights.

Yes, his red hat and the gaudy feather plume are obvious signs that he loves showing off. But his white garment in the Nine of cups also tells you that his heart is pure. There is a spiritual dimension to his joy. On the surface, his crossed arms express his pride. If you look closer at the Nine of cups, you’ll see that they actually form an infinity sign, a symbol of life.

His bench is a place of honor on the Nine of Cups. Combined with the blue tablecloth behind him, there is an odd similarity to the High Priestess of the Major Arcana. The High Priestess holds the key to spiritual bliss. The Nine of Cups contains the key to earthly happiness. In fact, Kabbalists call the Nine of Cups tarot card the Lord of Material Happiness.

Astrologically, the Nine of Cups card corresponds to Jupiter in Pisces, the energy that allows us to experience divine blessings through our emotions.

In the Nine of Cups, the man’s accomplishment is that he has drained every single cup behind him. Plus he can still sit straight and smile.

What’s so spiritual about winning a drinking contest?

Not all the cups in this suit are filled with wine. Sometimes, they’re filled with tears and sweat – just about fluid that symbolizes a human emotion.

The journey through the Suit of Cups isn’t always easy. The fact that he is smiling in the Nine of Cups is indeed an accomplishment.

Upright Nine of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

The Nine of Cups tarot card promises personal and spiritual completion. A void that has left you feeling empty is about to be filled. You have gained an important inner victory. It is filling you with peace of mind, increasing your capacity for experiencing joy.

In return, the universe is showering you with its blessings.

Because the Nine of Cups announces that a long, deep-seated need is about to be met, many readers call it a “wish card.”

Congratulations! You have won the cosmic jackpot.

We’re not necessarily talking dollars and cents. Money’s only value lies in what you can buy with it. Your winnings are paid out in “Karma Bucks.”

Oh you don’t think you’ve done anything special to deserve this cosmic blessing? Because karma is always about “deserve,” right? You’ve done more than you think.

Note that the cups in the Nine of Cups tarot are arranged in an arch. In the tarot, arches symbolize gateways to new states of consciousness or stages of life. If you review the lessons presented by the Ace through Eight of Cups, you’ll remember that some of these lessons can be quite painful. So the literal interpretation, that life has its ups and downs, makes a lot of sense.

Each victory has helped you grow as a person, increasing your capacity for feeling joy in the process. True to the law of attraction, the universe is blessing you with all the joy you can handle.

If you’ve been going through a time of hardship, help is on the way. It will be here soon. You can definitely look forward to a time of material and emotional stability.

Say goodbye to drama!

You’ve proved the naysayers wrong. You’re showing those internet trolls and schoolyard bullies that living well is the best revenge. They may or may not change their ways. What’s important is that you’re not giving them the reaction they want anymore. So they’re moving on.

In your spiritual development, you are adopting a more universal view. You have found a path that is deeply satisfying to you. But you know that many paths lead to the same goal. Therefore, you no longer feel the need to judge those who walk a different path.

Nine of Cups Reversed Tarot Card Meanings

When the Nine of Cups is reversed, it’s good idea to take a look at how your success is affecting you.

Even now, the Nine of Cups tarot card promises the satisfaction of your desires and the fulfillment of your wishes. It also suggests a tendency to rest on your laurels. And with that comes the danger of jinxing yourself without knowing it.

When the Nine of Cups is upright, there is a very clear understanding that there is still work to do. Now, however, you may be mistaking progress with victory.

You’re a bit like the runner who decides that he can start relaxing 10 meters before the finish line; after all, you’ve led the field for the first 990 meters. That kind of thinking can cost you the race.

Are you trying too hard to make up for lost time? When reversed, the Nine of Cups warns that overindulging may be the biggest challenge to maintaining your success.

For example, if you’ve endured financial hardship during your younger years, you may still remember what it’s like to go to bed hungry. Now that you that you are financially stable, you have a developed a tendency to overeat. Over time, this can lead to serious health problems.

Remember that the universe has blessed you with abundance so that you can focus on your emotional and spiritual progress, as well.

Try to rediscover empathy for those who are still struggling. Their challenges are similar to yours when times were hard. Helping them overcome yours is a powerful way to ensure that your progress is not only material.

If you have found a spiritual teacher, remember that you are still responsible for your growth. If this teacher is genuine, he or she will keep reminding you of that. While this person can enrich your life greatly, your “guru” is still a human being.

Translation: less than perfect!

When the Nine of Cups is reversed, it may warn you that you have forgotten that.

The Nine of Cups Tarot Card Metaphysical Correspondences:

Element: Water
Zodiac Signs : Pisces
Healing Crystals : Emerald

The Nine of Cups Card & Tarot Numerology

Kabbalistically, nines are attributed to the moon and here, its association with the birthing process. In traditional Numerology, 9 corresponds to the energizing qualities of Mars.

In the Suit of Cups, the combined energies represent the final push before the qualities of elemental water are fully manifested.

Learn more about the sacred divinatory art of Numerology. Use our Numerology Calculator to find what your Life Path, Soul, Personality, Compatibility and Career Numbers are and how they can help improve all areas of your life!