Nine of Pentacles
Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles is a card of prosperity and the solitary enjoyment of one's own accomplishments. The picture is of a mature woman walking in the midst of a vineyard. The vines are heavy with grapes and golden coins representing the fruitful accomplishment of all her desires. A falcon sits calmly on her left hand, symbolising her own intellectual and spiritual self-control. Far in the background is a large house, presumably belonging to the woman herself. There is a general sense of peace, satisfaction, and the fulfilment of a creative venture or personal investment in the image of the Nine of Pentacles. Unlike the initial satisfaction indicated in the Three of Pentacles, the nine represents a more permanent, lasting achievement as the result of one's own efforts.
The nine of pentacles is caution and the ability to provide the situation and yourself with the security necessary to accomplish what is in your best interest. Want to promote yourself and/or form a (new) partnership or alliance. A situation will arrive that will lure, entice or beckon you on - a very tempting offer. And your wish for a union will soon be fulfilled.Abundance. You need to be self-reliant, independent and free. Learn about your body and how Mother Nature provides all that is needed. Treat your health as your greatest wealth. Get out into the natural world and do your part. The woman on the nine of Pentacles is taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens of her estate. She is clearly a lady of refinement and grace, so it is incongruous to see on her left hand a bird trained to hunt and kill on command. Falconry is an unusual hobby for a gentlewoman, but it is the key to the special nature of this card.
On one hand, the nine of Pentacles represents all that is most gracious, high-minded and civilised. Art, music and other forms of beauty are very much part of our physical world (pentacles). Coins are present in this scene, but they are toward the ground. The business of life is important, but we don't have to focus on practical matters all the time. We can also enjoy the finer things of life. In readings, the nine of Pentacles can imply an interest in these areas. It is also a sign that you may need to reject the coarse or offensive and seek the highest.
The nine of Pentacles can also be a sign of discipline and self-control. This woman enjoys her cultured life because she has mastered her basic instincts. Her impulses work for her because they do not rule her. The falcon symbolises all that is dark and unruly in human nature. Our shadow side can serve us well, but only when it is directed.
Sometimes the nine of Pentacles suggests that you must show restraint and self-control if you are to achieve your best efforts. You may have to "sacrifice" for the moment, but the results will be worth it. This card is also a sign of self-reliance. Sometimes you must trust our own ability to handle a situation. Resist the temptation to let others do it for you. You need to take matters into your own hands. Our elegant lady has done just that. She trusted in her own grit and determination, and now she enjoys all the best life has to offer.
Tangible gain, relaxation. Peace and Security, Buying furniture. Good results - Harvest. Solitary Leisure. Large increase in income. Speeds up good cards on either side. Comfort. Relaxation after hard work. Connection with gardens. Discipline, sacrifice, self-awareness, knowing what matters in life. Self-reliance and a certain loneliness in pursuit of goals. This self reliance is often an indication that the Querent will make money working alone, especially in the comfort of his own home.
Nines represent personal integrity and completion, or the final stage of development. Nine is associated with the Moon - therefore dreams and delusions play a role in these cards. This final stage may bring certain problems with it, and past experiences and methods of coping become important here and are an intrinsic part of the meaning attached to the nines.
In a reading, the Nine of Pentacles indicates that you have reached a point in your life where you are feeling self-confident, and you are self-sufficient and able to rely on yourself. You have attained well-deserved success and may now enjoy money, leisure time, pleasure, and material comfort success and rest that is well-deserved. Appreciation is felt for what is now available, knowing that difficulties are over. This card denotes the ability to complete any work necessary through confidence in self-discipline and patience. The querent is in harmony with the nature that is around them. It is the luxury of leisure and solitude. It may also indicate your desire for these things if you do not already have them.
However, the Nine of Pentacles can also equate to having all the material success you want but not necessarily being happy with it. The woman in the card does not look very happy, and the symbols of the walled garden, the bird (representing captivity) and the snail (representing something rotten nearby) indicates not everything being what it seems. Perhaps she is some sort of "trophy wife" who married a successful man who wanted a decoration rather than a companion. If this is the case, she is probably very lonely because she would be unable to associate with her husband or his friends, her servants, or childhood acquaintances either. While she has everything that money can possibly buy, what good is it if no one will relate to her as a friend or equal?
In its reversed position, the Nine of Pentacles suggests that you may be suffering from financial setbacks or experience a loss due to unwise decisions or foolish actions. Your foundations may be about to give way. If they do, learn from your mistakes and build a more solid and secure foundation next time.