Nine of Cups as Past (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Nine of Cups is the card of wishes coming true, contentment, satisfaction, achievements, and success. This card depicts a man sitting with nine cups around him. He is smiling and looks very satisfied. He is content with what he has. The cups around him represent emotional fulfillment. 

The Nine of Cups reminds us that wishes do come true and that success will come your way. Emotional fulfillment exists, and you deserve it all. The Universe is a place of abundance, and this abundance was meant for you. The Nine of Cups reminds us to never settle for less than what we deserve. If you are still looking for emotional fulfillment, know that it is out there and waiting for you.

Upright Nine of Cups as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Nine of Cups, it means that there was a period of contentment, satisfaction, and enjoying the fruits of your labor, a time when you felt truly happy and fulfilled with what you achieved. This phase was characterized by a strong sense of pride in your accomplishments and the joy derived from reaching goals that were significant to you. It was a beautiful chapter where you were able to sit back and appreciate all the efforts you had put in, basking in the glow of personal satisfaction and happiness that came from fulfilling your desires.

The Nine of Cups as the past can represent a golden period of happiness and satisfaction, where your wishes seemed to come true and you felt a deep sense of personal accomplishment. This card brings back the warm memories of days where joy was abundant and you felt at ease with the progress you were making in life. It was a time marked by positive energies, a flowing creativity, and the kind of happiness that arises from realizing your dreams and witnessing them manifest in your reality.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Nine of Cups in the past position means the relationship experienced a time of joy, happiness, and fulfillment, where both parties felt satisfied and content with each other. During this period, the bond was strong and both individuals felt seen and appreciated by the other. It was a nurturing space where love flourished, characterized by deep understanding, mutual respect, and the kind of bliss that comes from being in a relationship where both partners feel equally happy and satisfied.

If you are asking about an ex, the Nine of Cups in the past position means that at some point, the relationship brought a lot of happiness and it felt like a wish come true, a period where you both were deeply satisfied with each other. This stage was like a sweet dream where you both were incredibly in tune with each other’s needs and desires, bringing a sense of fulfillment and contentment to each other’s lives. It was a time of love blossoming to its fullest, cherishing the moments together, and building a treasury of beautiful memories that were both joyful and precious.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Nine of Cups in the past position means that there was a harmonious period filled with joy and mutual satisfaction, a time of good memories and happiness shared between you. Those days were brimming with laughter, love, and understanding, fostering a deep and enriching bond that brought joy and satisfaction on many levels. It was a period where you created wonderful memories together, cherishing each other’s company and feeling a deep connection that was both satisfying and nourishing to the soul.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Nine of Cups in the past position means there was a time of great success and fulfillment in your career, where you achieved your goals and enjoyed the rewards of your hard work. This was a chapter where your professional life was on an upswing, reaping the benefits of the dedication and efforts you had invested over time. It was a period of recognition and reward, where your aspirations met reality, and you could proudly stand back and admire the successful path you had carved through your relentless effort and persistence.

Reversed Nine of Cups as Past

If you are asking about the past, and you draw the Nine of Cups reversed, it means that there might have been missed opportunities for contentment due to overindulgence or not recognizing the blessings that were present at the time. It could signify a phase where you may have focused too much on pursuing pleasures, missing out on the deeper satisfaction that comes from cherished relationships and personal achievements. This period asked for a balance, yet finding that equilibrium might have been a challenge, resulting in a time of missed connections and overlooked opportunities for happiness.

The Nine of Cups reversed as the past can represent a time when satisfaction and happiness were within reach, but perhaps not fully grasped due to complacency or taking things for granted. This period speaks to a potential lack of appreciation for the blessings that were presenting themselves, possibly resulting in feelings of unfulfillment or longing. During this time, it was essential to ground oneself and be present in the moment to truly appreciate and enjoy the potential happiness that was at arm’s length.

If you are asking about a romantic relationship, the Nine of Cups reversed in the past position means that there was a time of self-centeredness or overlooking each other’s needs, which might have dampened the potential for happiness. This could suggest a period where love was not flowing freely and misunderstandings might have arisen due to not fully considering each other’s feelings and perspectives. It was a time that called for a greater understanding and empathy towards each other to foster a nurturing and happy relationship.

If you are asking about an ex, the Nine of Cups reversed in the past position means that despite having good moments, there were significant issues, possibly involving neglect or not prioritizing the relationship properly, which led to dissatisfaction. This period might have involved situations where the bond was weakened due to inattention and a lack of nurturing the relationship as it deserved. It was a time marked by lost opportunities for deeper connection and fulfillment, calling for a more attentive and caring approach to each other’s needs and desires.

If you are asking about a friend or family member, the Nine of Cups reversed in the past position means there might have been times where personal desires were placed above the relationship, leading to moments of disconnect or unhappiness. This suggests that there was a focus on individual needs at the expense of the relationship, possibly causing feelings of neglect or underappreciation. It was a period that needed a balanced approach to personal desires and maintaining the health of the relationship, with an emphasis on mutual respect and understanding.

If you are asking about career and financial matters, the Nine of Cups reversed in the past position means that there was potential for success and fulfillment, but it might not have been fully realized due to a lack of focus or overindulgence in personal desires at the expense of your career growth. This period might indicate that distractions and diversions were a common occurrence, hindering your path to achieving your professional goals fully. It was a time that required a more disciplined approach, focusing on long-term goals rather than the immediate gratification of personal desires, to build a satisfying career path.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Nine of Cups represents emotional fulfillment and contentment. Wishes do come true, and dreams are realized. True happiness and emotional satisfaction is out there, and you should not settle for anything less than you deserve. Wholeness, harmony, belonging, and abundance were meant to be yours. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.