Cups!

While the wand energy we looked at before we got into the cups was active and energized, the cups are receptive and mysterious.  The cups are all about emotion, about what’s lying under our subconscious, and are about tuning in to our shadow selves.  The cups have everything to do with emotional maturity, spirituality, relationships, and love. 

King of Cups/Father of Water

The King of Cups is a master of his emotions more than any of the previous cup cards.  He is the quiet, powerful energy associated with giving love to others.  He’s a leader by example through his mastery of compassion and mastery of kindness.  

Queen of Cups/Mother of Water

The Queen of Cups, with her double water elemental energy, is one of the most intuitive cards, rivaled only by the intuition of the High Priestess.  She functions almost exclusively through her intuition in a way that seems to defy logic.  The Queen of Cups is deeply loving, nurturing, calm and compassionate.  The queen is a master of her emotions.  She holds the only cup in the deck that is covered, an indication that her thoughts come from deep within her unconscious mind.  The Queen of Cups is surrounded by angels, a sea nymph, fish, and shells.  All these symbols suggest the subconscious.  She’s surrounded by water, symbolic of emotion.  However, notice how her feet aren’t actually touching the water.  She’s in control of her emotions and is calm, cool and patient. 

Knight of Cups/Brother of Water

The Knights are some of the most helpful cards in the deck.  When we have specific questions we’re asking the deck, the knights give us direction about where to go, how to get there and help us understand how to relate to particular situations.  The Knight of Cups is often romanticized as a messenger of love.  That’s selling him a bit short, however.  The Knight of Cups is more complex than simply a knight in shining armor.  His dual elements of air and water are a perfect balance of intellect and emotion – he’s touching enlightenment.  He’s got grace and beauty and often comes up when we’re feeling unbalanced.  He’s a reminder to be gentle with ourselves.

Page of Cups/Sister of Water

The Page of Cups transitions us from the foundational aspects of the suit of Cups, love, emotion, and intuition, to the more complex.  This is the transition to big love and complex emotions.  Like the other Pages, the Page of Cups reminds us to pause and reflect before charging forward.  In this case, we’re pausing for a moment and looking at the world through a child’s eyes again.  We’re allowing ourselves to be surprised by joy and love that’s all around us.  

X of Cups/10 of Water

While the Nine of Cups was a reflection of abundance from a materialistic perspective, the Ten of Cups is about greater harmony, greater balance, and fulfillment in life.  This is a special time – one of joy, deep love, beauty, and connection with others.  Things are aligned and working in your favor.

IX of Cups/9 of Water

Make a wish!  The Nine of Cups is the wish card!  The Nine of Cups represents a time when everything is going well.  We feel satisfied, we feel love, physically, spiritually, and emotionally we are fully accomplished.  This is a card of success and accomplishment of our deepest wishes.  So what are you waiting for?  Make a wish!  

VIII of Cups/8 of Water

The Eight of Cups is the ultimate walking away.  It’s finally achieving everything – all the goals you’ve created for yourself have been accomplished, you’ve made it to where you thought you wanted to be, and recognize that this isn’t what you wanted after all.  This walking away is very powerful.  It’s the ultimate courage to give up everything you’ve worked toward and having faith in yourself and the universe to walk away from something you know isn’t right. 

VII of Cups/7 of Water

The Seven of Cups are all about temptation.  Often the card comes up when it seems like we’ve got so many wonderful options to choose from.  Unfortunately, the card is often an indication that in fact none of those choices are going to lead us down the right path.  They’re mirages.  The card tells us to take a step back and assess the situation.  Pause and reflect before chasing after illusions.

VI of Cups/6 of Water

The 6 of Cups is a reunion card.  This is a card of nostalgia, childlike innocence, and happy memories.