The 2 animals are interesting. The bird (falcon) perched on the hand may represent prosperity & our connection w/ the higher realms while the snail on the ground represents our connection w/ the both the planetary energies being a ground dwelling creature & the Universe’s sacred geometry (shell).

http://www.crystalinks.com/sacred_geometry.html

The 3 groups of 3 pentagrams are evocative of an upside down tree of life configuration.

http://www.google.com/search?client=...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

'... Featured in the 9 of Pentacles, we understand stability and success do not appear overnight. Rather, success often comes at a snail's pace. I also love the spiral connotation - that motif found in the shell of the snail. Spirals signify a radiating consciousness, and an inner-centeredness that exudes outwardly. Ideally that brilliant core emits positive change in environment and community.’
http://www.tarotteachings.com/nine-of-pentacles.html

An interesting insight about snails representing whole, merged beings:

‘... Snails are also hermaphrodites, meaning they carry both male and female reproductive organs, so pretty much an all in one package, though they do need to meet up with another snail in order to use them. .’
http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=50679

Later in the same link Umbrae discusses the sacred geometry of the snail’s shell. A portion of this discussion-

‘Fibonacci brought back from Egypt the concept of the Zero, that started the Banking Industry in Tuscan in the early eleven hundreds but he is most often remembered for the "Golden Mean.”

The “Golden Mean” was important to occultists of old – proof that God(dess) was found in mathematics.

The Snail represents, and equals 1.618033963.

Which relates to both the Falcon and its handler in myriad of ways.

Begin at your knuckles. Measure the individual finger joints. What is the ratio between them? What is the ratio between the distance from your mouth to chin in relation to the distance from mouth to nose?

What is the size difference between each spiral on a snail cross section?
1.618033963 is referred to as the ‘Golden Ratio’, or Phi (not Pi)…stick with me here

Pythagoras is said to have said, “Numbers rule the universe.” Euclid once said, “The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God.” ...’