The Nine of Cups symbolises the attainment of satisfaction and fulfilment of personal desires.
It highlights the importance of acknowledging our achievements and the value of generosity.
While it can suggest periods of contentment and gratitude,
It also cautions against complacency and indulgence.
In this Active Imagination exercise,
We'll navigate these themes,
Aiming to balance our appreciation of life's pleasures while remaining aware of the fine line between satisfaction and excess.
Let's just begin by making sure you're comfortable,
Whether seated or lying down.
Close your eyes.
Just taking a couple of deep breaths.
Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Just allowing the mind and body to settle naturally.
And just allowing yourself to breathe normally now.
Bring your attention to the breath.
Whether it's the sensation of the air moving through the nostrils,
Or the rise and fall of the chest or abdomen.
If any unrelated thoughts,
Inclinations come to mind,
That's fine.
Just notice them,
Let them go.
And bring the attention back to the exercise.
And now,
We're going to bring the attention to the imagination.
This is where your conscious mind meets the unconscious.
So,
Imagine yourself in a tranquil outdoor setting.
This could be any kind of environment that feels right to you.
Just take a walk through this landscape.
Take note of the space around you.
Somewhere in the distance,
You notice a well.
As you approach this well,
Just briefly bring to mind an area of your life where you've experienced joy,
Satisfaction,
Or achievement.
As you get close up to the well,
Take note of its various features.
Its design,
Materials,
Does it have any markings?
How old does it appear to be?
You're now going to engage in a two-way dialogue with the spirit of the well.
You're going to start this dialogue by asking a series of questions.
And as you do,
Just state the question to the well and see how it responds.
Ask them,
What does this fulfilment represent in my life?
How have my actions and intentions contributed to this sense of satisfaction?
What deeper desires and aspirations are beneath this achievement?
How can I cultivate more of this fulfilment in my life without it spilling over into excess,
Hedonism,
Or exhibitionism?
And have me ask these questions and listen carefully for the answers from the well.
You're now going to engage in a two-way dialogue with this well.
This is your opportunity to say your piece,
To ask any more questions.
And if you're aware of any conflict or painful emotion that you experience in relation to these issues of fulfilment and contentment,
Then this conversation is an opportune time to make some progress in reconciling with this part of you.
So take some time now to engage in a free-form conversation with the spirits of the well.
As this conversation draws to a close,
The well invites you to draw from its depths.
So accept this invitation now,
And begin to receive whatever it is the well has to give to you.
What is it that the well has for you?
Is it some kind of liquid?
Or a solid object?
Maybe it's words?
Or a sound?
Or any other kind of symbol?
Whatever it is,
Just receive it fully.
And know that it comes from your own inner wisdom.
Don't worry if it doesn't make sense to the conscious mind right now.
It may be useful to continue to reflect on this exercise in the coming days and weeks.
But for now,
Just know that your psyche understands the symbolic language.
And it has what it needs.
And simply by having this experience,
Progress has been made as you deepen your relationship with this part of you.
So just allowing the scene to fade,
And bringing your attention back to the space around you.
And noticing perhaps any sounds or sensations.
Taking a deep breath,
And opening your eyes again in your own time.
