Nine of Cups -

Tarot Card Meaning

Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.

Written by Made Musings

NINE OF CUPS

At a glance:

Enjoy the fruits of your labor and take a moment to appreciate your achievements and the fulfillment they bring.

Upright Keywords:
Success, fulfillment, satisfaction

Reversed Keywords:
arrogance, stay humble

Numerology:
9 - compassion, universal love, spiritual enlightenment, near-completion

Nine of Cups: Upright Meaning

In the Nine of Cups tarot card, we see a man sitting proudly on a wooden bench with nine golden cups displayed behind him. His posture and expression exude satisfaction and contentment, indicating that he has achieved his goals through hard work and determination. This card, often referred to as "wishes being granted," signifying that your efforts have paid off and you are now reaping the rewards. When the Nine of Cups appears in a reading, it is a sign to enjoy the fruits of your labor and to take a moment to appreciate your achievements and the fulfillment they bring.

Numerology and Suit Meaning:

  • In numerology, the number 9 signifies compassion, universal love, and spiritual enlightenment. This number is also linked to humanitarianism and nearing the completion of a cycle. This can be a sign to seek deeper understanding into your life's purpose and direction.

  • The suit of Cups is associated with intuition, emotions, relationships, and love. Oftentimes, it also deals with spirituality and the subconscious.

  • Elementally, cups are connected to water. An easy way to remember is that cups hold water. Like emotions, water can be calm when it’s flowing in a gentle brook. However, it can also be destructive when it becomes a raging tidal wave.

Love/Relationships

The Nine of Cups love meaning suggests a period of great satisfaction and emotional fulfillment. Whether you are in a relationship or single, this card indicates that you are experiencing a deep sense of contentment. Plan special moments with your partner or indulge in activities that bring you both joy and satisfaction. If you are single, this card can signify a fulfilling relationship with yourself, highlighting self-love and personal happiness.

Money/Career

In the context of career and finances, the Nine of Cups signifies that your hard work and dedication are about to be rewarded. Projects you’ve been diligently working on are nearing completion, and you can expect recognition and possibly financial rewards for your efforts. This card encourages you to take pride in your accomplishments and to celebrate your successes.

Spiritual/Self

The Nine of Cups represents a time of satisfaction and emotional well-being. You are likely feeling a strong sense of contentment due to the culmination of choices you’ve made. This card encourages you to appreciate the journey you’ve undertaken to reach this point of fulfillment. Since the Nine of Cups is known as “the wish card”, this is also a sign to visualize and manifest your dreams. This is affirmation of life’s abundance and that you can achieve just about anything.

The Nine of Cups represents a time of satisfaction and emotional well-being. You are likely feeling a strong sense of contentment due to the culmination of choices you’ve made.

Astrology

The Suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water, which governs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These Zodiac signs are the masters of emotions, intuition, creativity, and transformation. Known for their empathetic and nurturing behaviors, these water signs promote the free flow of feelings as a means to reaching our highest forms of evolution.

Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.

Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the Nine of Cups cautions against letting success lead to arrogance or complacency. It may also suggest that despite achieving your goals, you feel a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction. This card encourages you to stay humble and to remember the hard work and support from others that contributed to your success. Reconnect with the motivations and values that initially drove you to success. If feelings of emptiness persist, explore new goals or ways to give back to those who supported you along the way to avoid taking your achievements for granted.

Meet the Made Musings Tarot Deck: The ultimate deck for beginners.

  • Our 78-card deck and comprehensive guidebook offer you the perfect tools for your daily readings.

    Every set also comes with a velvet gift bag that serves dual functions. Use it as a stylish carrying pouch for your deck or a cleansing cloth in between readings.

    Plus, this keeps your tarot cards in tip-top shape and means you can easily take them on-the-go.

  • Our compact 188-page guidebook, aptly named the Little Black Book, offers the meanings behind each Tarot allowing both beginners and experts to interpret effectively.

    From the Author: “When I was learning Tarot, I always fumbled with the bigger books, so my readings didn’t feel quite as seamless. I felt inspired to write a small book that was easy to flip through in a pinch, yet full of information. I truly hope this book helps people wherever they are in their Tarot reading journey.”

    HARDCOVER VERSION (newly updated for 2024!) - features 190 pages, color printed CMYK

    PAPERBACK VERSION - features 188 pages, black and white pages

  • The Cards:

    -2 5/8" x 4 3/4"

    -gloss finish, gold edges

    -card weight: 400g - a heavier card for those that prefer to shuffle slowly and methodically

    -78 tarot cards PLUS a bonus lunar card.

    Note: Illustrations are from the classic 1909 - 1910 deck that was hand-illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.

    -Deck comes packaged in a sturdy, slider box.

    -Back of the cards features gold accents (true gold foil)

    Deck Box

    -3 1/8" x 1 3/4" x 5" h

    -hardcover (best way to protect your cards!), features gold accents, slider closure

    Velvet Bag:

    -KNOT BAG fabric: smooth ribbed velvet, self-lined (option 1)

    -DRAWSTRING BAG fabric: velvet, unlined (option 2)

    -color: black

    -You can count on either the luxurious velvet or the rib texture to stand up to the wear-and-tear of everyday travel.

CARD SUMMARY

Your efforts have paid off and you are now reaping the rewards.

Learn More about Tarot.