The Empress (Reversed), The Hierophant (Reversed), Nine of Cups (Reversed)

“As the river winds, so must we learn when to yield and when to stand firm.”

The cards before you—The Empress reversed, The Hierophant reversed, and the Nine of Cups reversed—reflect a gentle nudge from tradition to pause, listen, and reconsider what truly brings comfort and fulfillment.

The Empress reversed opens this spread. Traditionally, The Empress offers warmth, nurturing, and growth. In her reversed position, she signals a time when that nurturing feels blocked. There may be a sense of disconnect from your creativity or from the comfort of self-care. Perhaps you feel out of sync with your surroundings or are doubting your ability to create or sustain something meaningful.

Next comes The Hierophant reversed. Upright, this card stands for tradition, structure, and wisdom passed down. When reversed, it questions those structures. It suggests you may be feeling confined by rules that no longer fit or are seeking your own voice away from the expectations of others. It’s a quiet rebellion, an urge to find meaning on your own terms rather than blindly following what has always been.

The Nine of Cups reversed closes the spread. Traditionally known as the “wish card,” upright it signals emotional satisfaction. Reversed, it asks if your current wishes are bringing the contentment you imagined. There may be a sense of restlessness or disappointment with outcomes that once seemed promising.

Together, these cards speak of a longing for fulfillment that can’t be satisfied by simply following familiar paths or others’ ideas of happiness. You may be feeling disconnected from yourself and your own desires, perhaps trying to grow in soil that doesn’t nourish you. The cards suggest that comfort found through others’ traditions or external rewards may not bring the peace you seek.

Their shared message is clear: true satisfaction grows where your own needs and values are honored. If you’re feeling unfulfilled or stifled by old routines or expectations, it may be time to loosen your grip on what is “supposed” to make you happy and listen for what truly does.

Ask yourself: Where in your life are you following someone else’s path instead of your own—and what small step could you take today toward honoring your own needs?