How do you embody fullness?

Image description: A fat Black person struts toward the viewer, their right hand gently grasping an unripe lemon. They wear an exceptionally fashionable outfit comprised of a gold top that cuts off under their ample breasts and a matching, ankle-length skirt. They wear golden high heels, and their long black hair is partially gathered at the top of their head with a yellow clasp. To their right is a lush lemon tree, with nine yellow lemons on the tree and ground. The tree’s branches are a deep blue set against the dark brown soil, and the road underneath the person’s feet is a muted green. On their left hand perches a small blue bird with a red breast. A lemon yellow moon glows in the sky above them. The scene is one of rich abundance.

Each season, this lemon tree grows fruit and becomes barren again. We also go through cyclical processes. Sometimes, it can feel futile to keep putting in the work for something that won’t last, such as putting together a stunning outfit knowing that this look will only last for a few hours, or investing time and effort in a plant that will only bear fruit for a few months out of the year. However, the 9 of Discs understands the love and care invested in the rituals of creating an outfit or tending to a plant; it is in the doing that they draw satisfaction, not just the end product. It takes work to put together this outfit or tend a plant. They draw energy and fulfillment from the entire process without needing it to be sustainable.

In this moment, the 9 of Discs takes a beat to appreciate and revel in their fullness. The work does not end, but we must carve out these sacred times to celebrate and be proud of ourselves. The blue bird perched on their hand is a reminder of the difficult shadow work they have undergone to get to this place. This 9 has put in incredible work and now has resources to provide for themselves and others. This security is hard-won, although as with all issues related to resources, it’s important to also acknowledge the privileges we hold that helped us get to this place of abundance.

The 9 of Discs can, however, sometimes get so caught up in the details and the constant tending that they forget to celebrate. They may fear that something will go wrong the moment they stop putting in all of their energy to maintaining whatever they’re working on, a common belief inculcated by capitalism. This 9 holds space for us to investigate our beliefs around effort and success. We can also tap into deeper ancestral and shadow work around these beliefs and the ways we use the resource of our body.

Inspiration sources:
– Karen Vogel & Vicki Noble, Motherpeace tarot deck guidebook
– Cristy C. Roads, Next World tarot deck guidebook
– Joy Vernon, website
– Lindsay Mack, Tarot for the Wild Soul course