Mystical Cats Tarot - Nine of Earth

[Onaorkal]

An orange cat is lying down on a stone bench in a garden. She is facing us, but I don't feel like she is staring at us directly. Only the first half of her body is visible from our point of view. We are seeing the garden through a round opening in a beige brick wall. Nine pawprints decorate the bricks making up the opening. At the bottom of the card, we can see some vines crawling on the wall.

The garden is filled with different varieties of colorful flowers. On the left we can see red roses, pink and purple foxgloves in the back and some other flowers I can't identify because of the lack of details.

On the right, there is a large black cauldron on the ground, seemingly filled with a green mixture and flowers (maybe catnip). In the background, on the left, we can see a green crystal ball on a stone display. A couple of lianas are also visible.

 

 

Colors : A mix of green and pale earthy tones.

 

 

This card is about the feeling of contentment found in solitude when you arrive towards the end of your journey. Instead of celebrating your success with other people, you might want to do it on your own, as ''[n]ot everything is meant to be shared, even with loved ones.''

An interesting point is that usually the suit of pentacles is closely related to the matters of the physical world, especially material and monetary. In this case, we see a cat who seems to own nothing but peace of mind. The author explains how she sees it by saying ''Being on your own to contemplate beauty is a kind of prosperity that feeds the soul.'' So in essence, I see this card as carrier of 2 distinct messages.

1. Sometimes, in your life, you might end up in a period where you want to be on your own and stay with your own thoughts for a while. Enjoy that happy solitude without feeling bad!

2. There are many kinds of independance. It's possible to not depend on people to have a fulfilling life, but also to not depend on money to be happy, and that one a lot of people seem to forget about.

 

 

Symbolism :

 

Lying down position : Denotes a relaxed state. Resting time.

 

Grey stone bench : Related to stability, maturity and responsibility.

 

Body partly hidden : Renforces the idea of a secluded life.

 

Walled garden : Reminds me of the expression ''secret garden'', which in French we also call ''jardin intérieur'' (''inner garden''). We talk about ''cultivating your inner garden'', which means ''working towards a stable and joy-filled mind''. Here the garden is full of life, colors and variety!

 

Round opening : Circles symbolize wholeness and openings can symbolize passages to another world, perspective or journey. Here it could show us how the garden we can catch sight of through the opening represents this cat's whole world.

 

Number 9 (pawprints) : Number symbolizing completion and achievement.

 

Climbing vines/lianas : Symbolize opportunities, expansion, adaptability and fertility.

 

Red roses : Flower associated with Venus, love, beauty and devotion.

 

Foxgloves : Flower associated with ambition, creativity, confidence and productivity. Commonly associated with witchcraft and a good example of something 'beautiful but dangerous' (as they contain deadly toxins).

 

Cauldron : Holds very varied symbolism, but in this case, it can easily be related to meanings of rebirth, hearth, abundance and well-being.

 

Crystal ball : Divination tool commonly associated with fortune-tellers. Could represent the access to hidden wisdom, being in control of one's own destiny.

 

Green color : Associated with growth, hope, life, rebirth and positive energy.