The Nine Of Cups

The little rabbit on the Nine of Cups cards reminds me of "the cat who ate the canary." Now, a canary is a pet strictly off limits to hungry felines. Any cat who manages to catch one is going to feel pretty smug about it. This is the impression that the Nine of Cups implies ... nothing but indulgence and self-satisfaction.

At the physical level, the Nine of Cups is a sign of bliss in all the senses. Sights, sounds, tastes, feelings. This card encourages you to seek out pleasure and enjoy your life in every way. You can meditate with the natural world as well.... Mother Earth herself. She too enjoys in sharing her abundance and delights.

At the personal level, the Nine of Cups indicates contentment with the way things are. Notice how the man is seated confidently with his arms folded and a smile on his face. He has everything he wants and couldn't be happier about it. "See all my cups!" he seems to say. "Aren't they great?"

Sometimes it's wonderful to sit back and revel in the knowledge that all's right with the world. But a word of caution. You may be tempted to indulge yourself at the cost of someone else (like our mischievous cat!). This may feel great at the time, but sooner or later the feathers around your mouth will be discovered, and regret will set in. Chasing pleasures without regard to what the consequences are is never satisfying in the long run.

In many tarot traditions, the Nine of Cups is known as the Wish Card. It shows your wish will come true. A wonderful prospect, but remember your fairy tale lessons. You must be sure you know what you really want and accept the responsibilities that go with your wish. If that is the case, then enjoy your good fortune!