Cups

The Suite of Cups

The suite of Cups is associated with the element of water and we see this in the image above of an overflowing cup. The cup has five streams of water coming from it representing the five senses we use to experience beauty and pleasure in this world. These senses can create positive (or negative) emotions within us.

Emotion and water are closely aligned symbolically, and the flow of water can often be equated to emotional states, from the excitement and exhilaration of a fast moving waterfall to the slow and deep flows of a peaceful and meandering river.

The moon is also significantly associated with water and cycles through its control of the tides. The moon symbolizes our deepest waters where the subconscious mind lies.

Cups in a Reading

In a readings the Suite of Cups often relates to your goals in terms of emotions and feelings. The suite of Cups is associated with the intuitive feminine and the ability to understand the world through inner knowledge rather than conscious thought.

Reversed, the suite can often point to a disengagement from reality via unrealistic dreams or emotions over sense. It can signify repressing your emotions.

The Exemplar Card

There is always a court card that epitomizes the archetype of the suite. The Queens in all suites represent water and emotion, so the Queen of Cups represents water in the suite of water or pure water.

We see the queen sat on a rock in contemplation with the sea crashing around her. She holds a cup to the moon, suggesting deep intuition. Her dress turns into water and a fish leaps from the pool this water creates. This suggests the queen is protecting the fish from the raging ocean beyond and nurturing it in safety.

The reversed Queen of Cups relates to a different relationship between the queen and the leaping fish. This time the Queen is preventing the fish joining the ocean by creating dependence rather than growth. Sometimes we have to put our emotions in check and let others be, allowing them to swim in their own ocean without us.

The Journey

The Major Arcana in this deck are based on the Hero’s journey as noted here. Although the Minor Arcana is less concerned about an overall arc and more concerned with day-to-day events and people, there is still an overall message that runs through each suite. The story for the suite of Cups looks like this:

An initial new start (ace) leads to a relationship (two) that becomes a larger supportive group (three). This early success gives way to introspection (four) and loss (five) causing wishful thinking of better times in the past (six). The loneliness causes temptation (seven) or detachment and a retreat to find your inner self (eight). Once this is achieved, your emotional needs will be met (nine) leading to true happiness (ten).

You cannot be loved until you first love yourself. This often results in failed relationships early in our youth, but true love and strong relationships come to us only when we are truly ready for them.

You cannot be loved until you first love yourself