All of the suits of the Minor Arcana have their own plots. Some end in tragedy, while others end happily. The suit of Pentacles — which is related to the element of Earth and the concepts of growth, prosperity, and abundance — is one of the ones that has a happy ending.
The Nine of Pentacles is the step just before this suit’s culmination. It describes luxury, financial independence, and the freedom to live the way you want.
About Nine of Pentacles
- Keywords: Financial independence, thriving, freedom, success, fruition
- Keywords (Reversed): Greed, dependency, gold digging, superficiality
- Yes or No: Yes
- Yes or No (Reversed): No
- Element: Earth
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
The Nine of Pentacles is a really pleasant card to see. Even from an aesthetic standpoint, the Rider-Waite-Smith version has a very relaxed, happy, prosperous air.
It depicts a woman standing in her garden. She’s well-dressed, in a long robe with a floral pattern and a red hat resembling a French hood. She wears a yellow falconry gauntlet on her left hand, with a perched falcon in a red hood. The woman’s expression is calm and peaceful.
Her garden stretches all around her. There are grape vines heavy with a mixture of plump purple grapes and pentacle-shaped fruits. More trees stand tall in the distance. Beyond that, you can see the walls and roofs of a house — probably the woman’s home.
Far in the background, there are some mountains and a cloudless yellow sky. The color of the sky suggests sunset — the end of the day, after work is all done, when it’s time to relax, eat dinner, and enjoy your evening.
The far-off mountains beyond the garden and house suggest that the woman has overcome struggles to get to the state of comfort and abundance that she now enjoys.
See also: Check out Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot decks here.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning (Upright)
In a general reading, the Nine of Pentacles is a wonderful card to get. It indicates that you are — or soon will be — enjoying a state of financial freedom that lets you live the life you desire.
You are confident, independent, and secure. You’ve worked hard to achieve this, and now’s the time to sit back and enjoy it.
As a signifier, this card represents a person (usually a woman) who is confident, relaxed, generous, and gracious.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning (Reversed)
When reversed, the Nine of Pentacles can represent either a lack of independence and security, or clinging to monetary wealth and material goods. You may not have achieved the level of financial freedom you hoped for.
Alternately, you might have reached your goal, but the hard work involved has made you miserly. It’s very hard to experience the benefits of your wealth if you refuse to spend any of it!
As a signifier, this card may represent a person who is greedy, stingy, or deceitful.
See also: Check out alternate Tarot decks here.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – Love & Relationships (Upright)
Though this card usually relates to wealth, it’s also a good omen for love and relationships. It represents relationships built on solid ground, and nurtured as careful as the garden in the image suggests.
You and your partner are likely thriving, supporting each other, and enjoying your lives together. For older couples, this can represent retirement, having an “empty nest,” and being free to travel, pursue your favorite hobbies, and enjoy your time together.
For single people, it can represent enjoying your freedom. It may also indicate a relationship with someone older and financially secure.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – Love & Relationships (Reversed)
In a love and relationship reading, the Nine of Pentacles reversed is a harbinger of insecurity. Your relationship may not be on stable ground, especially when it comes to money.
One of you might be trying to hold on to every penny, while the other is spending frivolously. In some cases, it may represent marrying for money or social status, rather than for love.
If you’re single, then this card can hint that you’re looking for a partner for the wrong reasons. You may be hoping that another person will help bring you financial freedom or improve your social standing, but this won’t work out the way you hope.
See also: Check out the current top 100 Best-Selling Tarot books in the USA here.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – As Feelings (Upright)
The Nine of Pentacles is about achievement and comfort. When it comes to feelings, this person feels relaxed and safe around you. You help each other thrive.
This can go one of two ways — either they feel secure enough as an individual to want a deeper commitment, or they’re happy with the current state of affairs.
Either way, this person thinks they have a really, really good thing with you.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – As Feelings (Reversed)
Reversed, the Nine of Pentacles starts to wilt. This person feels like they’re not exactly thriving anymore.
They might be losing some of their independence, or fear that you only like them for what they’re able to give you. It’s possible that a commitment is on the table, but they’re not willing or able to make it right now.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – As Reconciliation (Upright)
Though the Nine of Pentacles upright is a generally positive card, it’s a mixed sign for people looking to reconcile with a former lover.
It indicates that your ex is feeling relaxed and happy alone. They’re enjoying what they have. This means that they’re probably in a good, healthy place physically, mentally, and financially, so you could try to reconcile.
On the other hand, they’re probably not going try to reconnect on their own.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – As Reconciliation (Reversed)
Reversed, the Nine of Pentacles hints that your ex is afraid of losing what they have.
They’re unwilling to reconcile right now because they either crave independence or are afraid that you have a financial motive for reconnecting with them.
This is their time to focus on themselves and enjoy a comfortable single existence.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Upright)
For career and business readings, the Nine of Pentacles upright is one of the best omens you can get. It’s all about the benefits of hard work.
When it appears, you’re likely to see financial abundance, a secure position, and the freedom to make the choices you feel are necessary.
Chances are, you’ve reached a level of prestige where your opinion is considered important, and others are willing to defend your business decisions.
This card also strongly indicates a happy retirement. You’ve built up a comfortable nest egg, and now have the free time to enjoy it. Congratulations!
For financial readings, this card represents abundant prosperity. Investments are paying off, your cash flow is healthy, and things are looking good.
While it’s not a good idea to be reckless, you can spend some money on yourself right now. Don’t forget to pay your success forward.
Nine of Pentacles Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Reversed)
When reversed, the Nine of Pentacles hints at a lack of effort, slacking off, or failing to get results. You may be trying to advance in your career, but your efforts are misplaced.
On the other hand, you may have poured so much of yourself into your job that you’ve missed out on other aspects of your life. This card can represent running ragged in order to earn your retirement, but missing out on enjoying your youth.
In some situations, it may indicate failed get-rich-quick schemes. When upright, this card is very much tied to the idea of nurturing, steady growth, and hard work. When reversed, it points to the failure of scams and high-risk ventures.
Financially, the Nine of Pentacles reversed is a bad omen. It typically represents depending on someone else for money, but it can also indicate being financially independent and miserly.
Your bank account may be suffering because you’re afraid to invest or spend any of it.
Nine of Pentacles: Yes or No?
When it comes to a “Yes or No” reading, few cards are as reassuring as the Nine of Pentacles. It’s a very positive, happy card that symbolizes self-reliance, luxury, and contentment. It’s a “Yes!”
However, if the Nine of Pentacles appears reversed, it’s not very good news. This card represents one of two extremes — either greed and materialism, or a lack of independence. Sadly, this is a “No.”
The Nine of Pentacles is a beautiful card with a wonderful meaning. Upright, it tells a story of hard work and careful tending, leading to a flourishing garden that provides everything its mistress needs. Reversed, it warns us against laziness, poor planning, and greed.
See also: For more Tarot Card Meanings, check out our full list of free Tarot Card Meanings here.
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