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".

"You are really experiencing a flow of emotions.  Everything you feel comes easily to the surface and into your awareness.  You're relationships are moving and progressively developing.  On the emotional plane, you are moving forward with a sense of purpose and direction." - Gail Fairfield

When I first saw this card appear my first thought was that today would be a happy, fulfilling day.  That it would be a time to connect with friends and nurture relationships.  And I did.  I had a wonderful time with a friend for lunch.  And it tied in very nicely with my message yesterday of appreciated the small joys in life.  We caught up and spent a lot of time laughing.  After being stuck indoors so long due to the weather, it really was a joy to get outside and see the world again.  We had a great meal at a local barbecue joint (Big Dave's BBQ for anyone in the Goshen, NY area).  And we spent a lot of time talking about health and family issues.

While we were together I got a call from a former co-worker.  I didn't answer it (because I always think it's rude to ignore the person you're with for a phone call unless it's an emergency).  When I spoke to my co-worker later that evening she was bubbling over with excitement because she was leaving the agency we both worked for at one time and had found a new job.  It was the only job she had applied for and apparently a contact at the new job had pushed her resume through.  I was happy for her, I know she was dissatisfied at my former employer's.  But there was a part of me that was envious because she had barely looked for employment and landed this wonderful new job thanks to connections.  It just didn't seem fair.  And that jealousy tainted my happiness for her.  

I have few illusions about myself and I'm very well aware that I can be petty and envious of other people's luck.  However that is not how I want to spend my energy in life.  So I had to consciously decide to let go of that jealousy and envy and allow myself to just experience happiness for her.  I have to feel confident in the fact that soon I too will be celebrating a new job (I do believe, I do believe!!).  Sometimes people serendipitously find things going their way because the stars are aligned just right.  Sometimes, timing really is everything.

I am experiencing a flow of emotions right now.  Some are positive and some are negative but that's okay because they will eventually flow on down the waters of my life and be replaced by new ones.  That is what the salmon on the Animals Divine 9 of Cups tells me.  There is a cycle to life and a time for things to occur and being focused and driven will help me find my joy and follow my bliss (to use a very overused expression).  Someone else's happiness does not in anyway detract from my own.  So I am determined to just be happy for all the happiness in the lives of my friends and loved ones.