Nine of Cups: tarot card meaning

Nine of Cups is card 9 in the suit of Cups, associated with the element of Water. Drawn upright it speaks of reserve, feelings, connection; reversed, of feeling blocked, disconnection.

Upright meaning

reserve, feelings, connection

Wishes and contented satisfaction -- a moment near the summit of your own desire; enjoy it without clutching too tightly.

Reversed meaning

feeling blocked, disconnection

A wish half-realised or satisfaction that rings hollow -- check the desire itself, not just its form.

The suit of Cups belongs to Water and to feelings, relationships and belonging.

In a three-card reading

In the past position Nine of Cups describes the current that carried you to where you are; in the present position, what is most alive in the situation now; in the future position, the direction things tend toward if nothing changes. A reading weighs it against the other two cards rather than on its own.