Old English Tarot: 9 of Cups

In today's blog entry, Helen Howell continues her exploration of cards from the Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Old English Tarot

Nine of Cups

by Helen Howell

Old English Tarot

Today I’m looking at the Old English 9 of cups and comparing it to the more traditional Rider Waite card. At first look neither card bears a resemblance to the other. With the Rider Waite it is more obvious from the image that this is a card about satisfaction and emotional fulfilment. We see a man sitting in front of nine cups and looking very happy with himself. Very often this card has been called the “wish card” and it represents for us that what we desire emotionally can be achievable.

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

Now when I look at the Old English I don’t get that impression so much. What I like about the Old English Cards is that they make you think. What we have here is a boy doing a handstand and his drum is on the ground beside him. I suppose one could ask themselves why is he doing the handstand? Is the same as jumping for joy? Perhaps he has just mastered a difficult drum routine and this is his way of shouting “Yay!” I think from this image we can at least take the meaning of success and one that can make you feel good about yourself. By looking into the image and analysing it, we can determine that this is representative of emotional happiness and one of achievement. 

So although at first look it is not so obvious what it means as the Rider Waite image is, both cards do seem to be delivering the same message. Basically satisfaction, celebration and emotional happiness.

LWB:

Positive: Success, abundance, victory, Celebration

Reversed: Mistakes, material loss, imperfection