(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)
Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)
The time period is the second decanate of Virgo, under the rulership of Saturn, September 3 to September 12. Meanings:
Well-Dignified: reserve, discretion, caution, frugality; some worries over money matters because of slow-maturing of plans; gain through careful investment. Occasionally when this card is especially welldignified, and other cards in the layout confirm it, this Key represents inheritance, material gain and much increase of goods, corresponding to the positive meanings of Saturn in Capricorn.
Ill-Dignified: discouragement; troubles through theft and knavery.
Keyword: Harvest.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)
A. E. Waite
A woman, with a bird upon her wrist, stands amidst a great abundance of grapevines in the garden of a manorial house. It is a wide domain, suggesting plenty in all things. Possibly it is her own possession and testifies to material well-being. Divinatory Meanings: Prudence, safety, success, accomplishment, certitude, discernment. Reversed: Roguery, deception, voided project, bad faith.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)
Aleister Crowley
The Nine of Disks is called Gain. The suit of Disks is much too dull to care; it reckons up its winnings; it does not worry its head about whether anything is won when all is won. This card is ruled by Venus. It purrs with satisfaction at having harvested what it sowed; it rubs its hands and sits at ease. As will be understood from the consideration of the Tens, there is no reaction against satisfaction as there is in the other three suits. One becomes more and more stolid, and feels that “everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds”.
[…]
The number Nine, Yesod, inevitably brings back the balance of Force in fulfilment. The card is ruled by Venus in Virgo. It shows good luck attending material affairs, favour and popularity.
The disks are arranged as an equilateral triangle of three, apex upwards, close together; and, surrounded at some distance by a ring, six larger disks in the form of a hexagon. This signifies the multiplication of the original established Word-by the mingling of “good luck and good management”. The three central disks are of the magical pattern as in earlier cards; but the others, since the descent into matter implies the gradual exhaustion of the original whirling energy, now take on the form of coins. These may be marked with the magical images of the appropriate planets.
As a general remark, one may say that the multiplication of a symbol of Energy always tends to degrade its essential meaning, as well as to complicate it.
(From The Book of Thoth)
Golden Dawn’s Book T
A WHITE Radiating Angelic Hand, holding a rose branch with nine white roses, each of which touches a Pentacle. The Pentacles are arranged thus
* *
* *
*
* *
* *
and there are rosebuds on the branches as well as flowers. Venus and Virgo above and below.
Complete realization of material gain, good, riches; inheritance; covetous; treasuring of goods; and sometimes theft and knavery. The whole according to dignity.
Yesod of HB:H (Inheritance, much increase of goods).
Herein those mighty Angels HB:HZYAL and HB:ALDYH have rule and
dominion
Etteilla
Effect
Upright. In terms of the medicine of the spirit, this card, in its natural position, signifies: Effect, Realization, Positive, Accomplishment, Success.
Reversed. Deception, Fraud, Disappointment, Empty promises, Vain hopes, Failed projects.
MQS
