Nine and Ten of Pentacles

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 May 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

caridwen	07 May 2005
I would appreciate some help on this: In a Celtic Cross where the first two cards gave the problem/opposing or reinforcing cards and the first card was the Ten of Pentacles and the second the Nine of Pentacles how would you interpret that? I know, I know about giving all the cards etc but they all stem from these two and I would appreciate some help. The question is on a relationship and problems within that relationship (but friendship etc not partners).

Valkyriesong	07 May 2005
Hmmm sounds to me someone is being stubborn and independant or wishes to be independant or there is an inheritance they received the ten of pentacles usually depicts the old man and the family and money being counted out. It can either be help from family like "rich uncle vinny" or it can mean an extended family such as a live in uncle grandmother etc ... The nine of pentacles is the chick in the garden by herself with a bird on her arm all her luxuries and that describes to me that woman (or person) is standing strong on her own and is independant and all that "stuff" is hers and she basically earned or inhereted it but its hers. I would know more if i knew what the outside influences are. but i hope this helps

psychic sue	07 May 2005
I think there's a clash of personalities here - both strong independent people, with a hint of competition in some way? I may be way off, but that's how I'd see them. Sue x

Julien	07 May 2005
I think psychic sue is right -- somehow there's a disagreement in the way to understand some of the basics of life. Like, one person is family oriented, the other is independent... A fairly basic level difference of opinion based, perhaps, in different places in life? Or maybe just a very different way of dealing with/enjoying/using what they both have in their life. Julien

mike gorth	07 May 2005
I second sue and julien. I see both of those cards as almost the same. Pretty close you know so I see it as a clash.

Fudugazi	07 May 2005
This clash could occur within the same person - one side longing for family and a settled life, the other wanting to stay alone and independent. Both lead to security - one has family restrictions as a downside, the other has solitude and - sometimes - active avoidance of the Other. As it is in the small cross, I would say this is the central dilemma that is then explored further - and hopefully resolved - in the 8 other cards.

caridwen	08 May 2005
These are all very interesting interpretations and oddly pertain to personality types rather than a general situation...So the Ten of Pentacles is a personality? I can see the nine as a personality I suppose because of the woman and, even though there are figures in the Ten I've always seen it as a feeling. Obviously Tarot is not set in stone so this has been very interesting and thought provoking, thanks:)

foolt	09 May 2005
excessive pentacles a path is almost complete and the person is not able to change course and hasnt learned lesson pentacles which is to grow and to reap and all from the spirit, the Goddess from foolt

Ace	10 May 2005
The 10 (to me) indicates family while the 9 indicates being alone. Perhaps YOU have a clash between the desire to join and the desire to be separate from others. Even those you care about.

StellaJane	10 May 2005
My interpretation of these two cards is similar to what others have said, but a little different, too. I see the ten as epitomizing the underlying security and groundedness that make the nine possible; so the ten of pentacles represents having the means (abundance, security, affluence) to make the lifestyle of the nine (Mistress of her Domain) possible. Maybe in the context you described, what these cards point toward is a fundamental difference in how the two people in question understand The Good Life. Or questions about what kind of lifestyle is best. These two cards have been appearing for me a lot lately, so it's been interesting to read what other people think of them. Caridwen, maybe you could let us know if you end up seeing some resolution or clarification of these cards!

wandking	10 May 2005
I hope the following helps you interpret the cards and apply them to your life. THE NINE OF PENTACLES The Nine of Pentacles is a bountiful harvest of personal gain and achievement, not only on the material plane but also within a spiritual realm. Although some cards of this suit touch on spirituality, this nine provides a wealth of deeper meanings. Abundance in economic success often flourishes into profusion in emotion that eventually ripens into spiritual wealth. This nine offers something of a two-fold dividend since spiritual development imparts a means to become wealthier in economic terms. Spiritual meanings not withstanding, focus of the card remains on material matters. Offering true security, the Nine of Pentacles epitomizes the discernment and wisdom that arises from success. Occasionally it signals a windfall but this card usually implies earned economic attainment. Earning assets provides a sense of responsibility necessary to manage wealth and the experience necessary for making reasonable business decisions. A lifetime of achievement offers an abundance of physical rewards, just as discretion yields wisdom. In the Nine of Pentacles, symbols of financial attainment abound as a stately manor in the distance highlights rich attire of this noblewoman. A falcon perching upon her gloved hand completes the image. Falconry was a sport strictly reserved for nobility. Falcons imply a sacred relationship with higher powers, giving spiritual meaning to the card. Ripe grapes, awaiting harvest signify the fruits of her labor. She gazes at her bird with obvious pride, which implies a perilous failing. Although it is reasonable to feel satisfaction as others recognize achievements, becoming haughty will lead to disgrace. This card suggests contentedness in solitude, where opinions of others matter little. The Nine of Pentacles teaches that material prosperity leads to wisdom. Self-respect cannot be lost even if material assets disappear. Whatever type fortune you possess, benefiting from it rarely hinges on attitudes of others. Appreciating attainment depends on your sense of individual accomplishment instead of public opinion. Pretentious displays of fortune tend to gain jealousy not respect. In not only numerology but also Tarot, nine deals with completion or perfection and the picture on this card symbolizes both concepts. In the Pentacles saga, this ninth path shimmers with emotion, as a symbolically content lady of the manor indicates positive feelings. Any person the nine represents in numerology wishes to contribute to humanity but may become distracted by the environment and dramas of life. Those on the numeric ninth path need time alone to find a center, which ties into an aspect of solitary inner- fulfillment often shown by this card. The ninth path leads to a deep understanding of the needs of others resulting in self-sacrifice. At this point in the Pentacles story, we must learn self-compassion to enjoy the same gifts we share with others in life. With the overview arising from completion, nine offers a bridge to qualities like imagination, generosity, intuition, dedication and devotion. A cautious approach that this nine implies, offers self-discipline, as assurance that you will not frivolously spend assets. A guarded approach to economics arises from a Venus in Virgo influence, which powers the card but this astrological aspect is unselfish. The Nine of Pentacles provides symmetry between achievement of assets and sharing wealth, which bridges material accomplishment to spiritual wisdom. This nine is not only about managing assets but also suggests taking pleasure from possessions. To maintain balance between spirituality and economics you cannot only focus on wealth. It must become a tool to develop true self-worth. In his wisdom, Socrates describes the most important qualities this nine offers by writing, “Not only life but also good life is to be chiefly valued. He is richest who is content with the least, for contentedness is the wealth of nature.” This card often serves as a reminder to take account of your possessions in economic and spiritual treasures. Fly with falcon-fast wings past earthly trappings and you will find inner peace is the finest asset of all. THE TEN OF PENTACLES This card epitomizes positive values of the Pentacles Suit such as security, reliability and spiritual wisdom gained from practical experience. The Ten of Pentacles implies not only financial but also emotional stability. As a card primarily involved with family, this ten signifies building and handing down prosperity through the generations. The Ten of Pentacles offers transition in physical resources, which implies legacy. After attaining wealth or happiness, attempting to amass greater security makes little sense. Clearly, hoarding assets fails to build the happy home that this ten symbolizes. Clinging to wealth or happiness is like attempting to capture a butterfly. Avarice often crushes contentment, rather than preserving it for the future. In a card imparting family tradition, possessions provide an institution, which builds a basis for teachings of this card. With the Ten of Pentacles legacy offers a prime lesson in handling wealth at your disposal. Managing assets emerges as a central concept within the Ten of Pentacles. This card suggests handing down emotional and physical resources, which will allow subsequent generations to benefit from your success. When material assets are scarce, the ten implies advice offered by a parent or grandparent to a child, is more precious than gold. This ten often indicates inheritance, which takes the form of assets. Legacy, although less tangible, is also prominent as a meaning because it allows descendants to profit from your experiences. The Ten of Pentacles transforms physical security into spiritual attainment. By passing on knowledge and experience, you create a profound heritage. In sharing wisdom or teaching a trade, you achieve a certain immortality that endows a gift to successors of greater value than cold cash. As you pass along information to heirs, realize they might need attention and by listening to them, you impart a legacy of respect leading to self-esteem. As Voltaire said, “The ear is an avenue to the heart.” As mentioned earlier, in numerology, reductions finally end up as a single digit, which is why the Ten of Pentacles signals both completion and transition. Nine previous paths in the Pentacles story converge into one path on this ten. One implies a beginning; however, the Ten of Pentacles signals not only achievement and renewal of material matters but also offers a profound spiritual transition. Completion in the physical sense is in clear view but unlike other tens of Tarot, it transcends the realm in which it begins and emerges on a spiritual plane. The Nine of Pentacles, as in numerology and the other suits, embraces completion. The ninth path in the Pentacles saga compounds a spiritual aspect the Eight of Pentacles introduces. Now this tenth path offers dynamic transition. All tens demonstrate application of lessons taught through a completion shown by the nines but the Ten of Pentacles rivals even an extreme Wheel of Fortune transformation. Offering a new goal in the Pentacles story, far removed from an earthy realm of this suit, ten becomes a completely spiritual path. The Ten of Pentacles often signals attainment of wealth and offers reasonable economic uses, the most important of which is gaining financial security for people in your family. In Pentacles cards, you must not limit your legacy to giving advice while holding onto tangible assets. This card draws energy from the mental planet Mercury sitting comfortably in analytical Virgo, a sign ruled by that planet. Earth signs of astrology deal primarily with tangible earthly manifestations of wealth and they influence the whole Pentacles Suit. A truly rich person realizes that mind body and spirit serve as vaults, which hold treasures. When you allocate money, take care to draw from a wealth of wisdom to insure that heirs do not squander assets meant to protect them. Plato endows a rich legacy to humankind by writing: “Let parents bequeath to their children not only riches but a spirit of reverence.” During material endeavors and allocation of assets, set a goal of spiritual fulfillment. By achieving inner richness, you will discover that true wealth is much more than figures on a ledger or the balance in a bank account.

gilded goat	10 May 2005
the ten could refer to wanting to have a more secure friendship with each other whilst the nine is a card of business and would suggest that work gets in the way

The Nine and Ten of Pentacles thread was originally posted on 07 May 2005 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.