The number nine is the number of the wisdom of the Moon.  It is also a mathematically magical number - its square root is three and the sum of any number multiplied by nine equals nine when added together (e.g.. 9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9).  Nines also represent attainment, integration, completion and bringing things to an end.  Nines are about the natural flow of things and things proceeding smoothly.  Cups are associated with the element of water, with emotions, love, pleasure in life, matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and inner planes.  It is about emotions flowing smoothly and moving forward, developing in a natural progression.  Emotions rise easily to the surface and into our awareness.  This card is often referred as the "wish card".  

"Reversed:  Your psychic abilities are functioning smoothly and naturally.  Flashes of intuition and inspiration come, unbidden, to the surface.  You float in and out of your psychic awareness smoothly, easily, and almost without realizing it.  Private feelings or secret relationships are well-integrated into your life." - Gail Fairfield

Water, flowing all around me and within me but I don't seem able to capture it's energy.  Instead it seems to be pouring out of me whether I will it to or not.  Looking at the images on the cards, it becomes apparent that reversed they both show those intuitive, psychic and emotional energies draining from the central figure.  That doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing - if it isn't released into the world then it can't heal anything.  However it might make more sense for me t o gain some control over when and where I chose to unleash this powerful healing force.

On Joanna's 9 of Water I am struck by the sense of quiet joy portrayed by the figure on the card as she stands in the middle of this mystical cave.  She seems to be embracing the energies of the water, the earth and the light that pours through the opening.  She is absorbing that powerful energy so that she can release it to heal and offer emotional support and guidance when the need arises.  Reversed this card suggests that those same energies are present but that the healer (in this case me) doesn't always have control over when and where it is used.  I am  learning to control its healing force within myself but I still haven't quite mastered the ability to use it for others.

On the Sacred Rose 9 of Cups a figure is standing behind 9 cups filled with beautiful white flowers.  Two faces in profile are posed on each side of the central figure's head.  With the card upside down it looks as if all the bounty and blessings in those cups are pouring down on these three faces.  Do they deserve these blessings?  Can they appreciate these blessings?  Will they be overwhelmed by these blessings?  I would think that the abundance of white flowers pouring down on me could easily become too much.  There is no way to control how swiftly they flow; no way to direct their energies.  It is as if you had a fairy godparent who buried you in gifts.  Eventually you find that you can't breathe because there is no more room.  The two side faces seem calm and at ease regardless of whether they are upright or upside-down.  Perhaps they have mastered the ability to direct these blessings and can teach the central figure how to achieve this skill.  

The overall sense I get of this card is one of emotional abundance that can easily become suffocating and overwhelming.  So perhaps my lesson is that I need to learn how to control these blessing so that they serve me rather than me serving them.  The only way I can achieve this is by embracing my own emotional, intuitive and unconscious sides.    In the past I have preferred to avoid or ignore this element of my inner nature, now it's becoming obvious that's just not possible anymore.