9 of Cups

The 9 of Cups has a man sitting on a wooden bench, a row of cups are displayed on an elevated covered table or bar.  He sits proudly showing off his accomplishments.  Sitting is a symbol that can mean taking time to reflect or relax - in this card it could mean taking time to reflect on the past and contemplate the things that worked and examining areas that could be tweaked.

Many books call the 9 of Cups "the wish" card - I disagree with this interpretation because it is in having and executing a plan do dreams and wishes become fulfilled.  As the "good book" says, "...faith without works is dead..."

Yellow/gold is also the dominant color in this card - it's a happy color, reminds me of a gold medal or the phrase "let the Sun shine in".  The man is wearing a white robe, symbolizing celebration and purity, however there appears to be touches of grey so perhaps there was a bit of trickery involved in making his achievement?  Not all trickery is bad - in sports a trick play can be used to score points while passing a few bucks under the table in a business situation is certainly unethical, if not illegal in some instances.

The man to me represents a dominant energy not necessarily a male.  So when this card appears in a reading, generally I would say there was a plan that succeeded and there was great pride taken in the successful execution of the plan - depending on what the other cards and the question is, this could be good or bad.

Six of Cups, reversed

The Six of Cups, generally represent coming together, new or renewed relationships, meeting an old friend or a new friend, among other interpretations.  In the reversed position, generally this would mean that relationships are strained, on the verge of coming apart - if they haven't already.  A relationship that has grown cold.

When this card appears, it's time to think about if the relationship is salvageable; and if it is what effort must be invested to make things right.  Are both parties able to move forward despite the events of the past.

The High Priestess, reversed

The mysterious High Priestess sits quietly on a small bench and adorned in a blue garment.  There is an appearance of a waterfall the way her garment is draped from the knee to the ground - for me this is a symbol of  her wisdom and intuition flowing freely out of her soul.  The moon is also a symbol of intuition or psychic power.  The crown on her head contains an orb, for me this symbolizes the third eye, intuition, or psychic power.  The High Priestess sits between two pillars, one black with a "B" on it and the other grey with a "J" on it.  I've read in various places that the "B" stand for Boaz, which is a character from the Bible and his name means strength and the "J" stands for Jerusalem - two pillars represent the pillars in Solomon's temple.

There is a tapistry hanging between the two pillars of pomegranets, symbolizing growth and rich knowledge.  Behind the High Priestess is a body of water showing a few ripples here and there, symbolizing life.  Calm water also can mean being at peace.  There is a cross on the chest of the High Priestess, symbolizing the four wind directions or the 4 elements and cradled in her arms is a scroll, which is partially hidden but partially shown - to me this represents the truths that can be revealed if the right question is asked.

In the reverse this card has the same meaning but it is to a lesser degree.  Intuition could be blocked, there is a lack of wisdom, not being at ease and allowing the Universe to flow freely through ones self.

The Hierophant, reversed

I've had this card appear in various readings and have had a surprising number of interpretations which include seeking council from a higher authority (God , the Universe, clergy, an elder or someone of high regard in your life), presenting a case before a judge or someone in authority, seeking answers, arguing a case..etc.

The Hierophant is a person of authority and influence and sit's securely on his throne, between two solid pillars.  The pillars could mean faith, security, balance, duality, taking the middle road.

The keys on the carpet represent authority, faith - holding the keys to the kingdom.  The two people standing in front of the Hierophant are wearing different colors, symbolizing two different ideas, arguments, or ways of thinking.

Being this card is presented in the reverse it would mean less authority, perhaps not so balanced, failing to consider all points of view, or perhaps lacking in faith.

The Moon, reversed

Typically the Moon represents disillusionment, bewilderment, confusion, fear and so forth, in the reversed position there is a dispelling of fear, confusion..etc.  Things are a bit clearer, however it will take discerning, intuition, and direction from the Spirit to make progress in the situation.

More information about The Moon can be found in last weeks overview.  I do find it interesting that the first posting I did was the Moon, it's a reminder of the cycles of life.

The Emperor

The Emperor is a rugged, experienced man adorned in red sitting on his throne.  Mountains are to his back, symbolizing life's triumphs, challenges and even loses.  His throne has rams on each of the four corners, which is the Zodiac symbol for Aries, it is strong, unshakable, unmovable, sturdy - he is secure in his position.  The Emperor can be stern, ruling, unmovable in his position and opinion, and is a regulator.

The crown adorns his head signifies that he is in charge, he's wearing armor and ready for the fight, however he's also adorned in a red garment, signifying that he does have a softer side that could be appealed to.  The garment also makes him approachable.

In the background there is a small, calm stream - water is symbolic of emotion and the calm water here confirms or validates that the Emperor is a very calm, patient individual.

The Emperor holds an orb in the left hand, symbolizing the Earth - he's in control, he's also using experience and intuition to analyze and ponder events that come his way.  In the right hand he holds cross - it's also a symbol of balance between the four elements and he understands how each of the four elements can interconnect and influence life.

9 of Swords

When this card appears in a reading, typically it's associated with self doubt, worry, self-delusion, agony, denial, insomnia, becoming aware of the situation.

The bed is where we relax and many times the hidden things in the back of our brains come to the forefront in dreams, like the carved image under the bed.  The image shows a dominant person with a stick of some kind lurching forward on an unarmed victim, sometimes this is how our brain works during the night, replaying over and over ad nauseum all of the decisions, the words, the situations that we unpleasant and exercised poor judgement, or said hurtful things.

The black or the dark is symbolic of the unknown while the cover represents security.  The images on the cover are interesting - there are flowers, representing beauty and growth along with symbols of the Zodiac, which to me, represents faith in the stars or wishing upon a start.  Yet even in faith, our faith can be shaken.