Day Two: Nine of Disks, "Gain"

My Inference: 

As with many minor arcana cards, the imagery in this one consists mostly of archaic symbols. Because I lack a deep understanding of astrology, alchemy, and Qaballah, I'll have to defer to the Ziegler guide. I do recognize the vague outline of the Tree of Life, with the upper and lower three Sephiroth marked by disks. Three disks in the center lack icons, but I imagine their colors are significant.

Ziegler:

"The three disks in the center symbolize the unification of love (pink), wisdom (blue), and creativity (green). The central binding force is love, whose color is visible through the other two." The heads are those of the artist Frieda Harris, Crowley, and Israel Regardie (a prominent occultist and contemporary of Crowley). Skipping past an extensive analysis of the placement of the heads, Ziegler arrives at the central message of the card: "Gain comes from giving willingly and lovingly...giving yourself to the universe; giving yourself fully to life. The cosmic law of wealth is hereby fulfilled: The more I give the more I receive."

There is some implication of the New Age concept of "Give and you shall receive" in Ziegler's reading. Naturally, a skeptic does not accept the position that our universe rewards (or punishes) actions. As I posted earlier, a phenomenon must either be demonstrated as occurring, or its possibility must be theoretically explainable. "Karma," as it is commonly called (however inaccurately), satisfies neither criterion. However, if we shift the focus of our interpretation from "giving" to "getting," we arrive at a reading that is compatible with a rationalist mindset: Realize your chosen purpose, collaborate, remember that as effort increases, so do rewards.

Rider-Waite:

A.E. Waite's less complex reading of the Nine of Pentacles basically amounts to taking inventory of one's accomplishments.

Combined Reading:

Material gain is not always an individual pursuit. Work with others to your mutual benefit. Meditate on the concepts of dedication, effort, and collaboration.