MINOR ARCANA

THE CUPS

The suit of Cups are generally regarded as having the element of water as their influence.  This indicates that the minor arcana cards that are in this suit symbolise emotions, sensitivity, love and relationships, birth and new beginnings.

THE ACE OF CUPS:   The card of life, happiness, emotion, sensitivity, love, artistic or psychic gifts or ability, fulfillment.  News of marriage, engagement or birth/fertility.  This is a favourable card for new friendships and relationships.  This card represents birth, either as in a new life, or awakening of hidden talents.  In relationships, this card indicates a special person.  

2 OF CUPS:  Indicates interaction between two people, this card symbolises love, engagement, marriage.  There is trust, commitments and balance in relationships.  Romance is blooming and there is much fulfillment.  This is also a good card for positive friendships.

3 OF CUPS:  Indicates growth and overflowing happiness.  Again, there is news of marriage or birth - this is another card of fertility.  There is also a potential often with this card of spiritual or psychic growth and development.  A time for healing and good fortune.  There may be intense emotional experiences to deal with, but this card is a positive influence.

4 OF CUPS:  This card indicates mixed emotions or happiness.  It usually represents feelings of boredom, dullness or someone who is stuck in a rut.  There may be much dissatisfaction and disappointment, which makes you weary.  Change is needed, find a compromise and find a balance that will allow you to move on and accept change and to follow feelings.  Too much of one thing can be boring, perhaps there is not enough variety in life - take a look at your interests, is there a creative pursuit that you fancy trying?

5 OF CUPS:  A card of disappointment, loss, upset happiness, and can indicate broken friendships or relationships.  However, this card tells us not to dwell on the loss, the experience has not been wasted and there is still something that can be salvaged from the situation.  It is a learning experience, and a pessimistic attitude only makes matters worse.  Emotions may be in a turmoil, but have patience, there is still hope!

6 OF CUPS:  Indicates a past influence, usually of happy childhood memories.  This card usually suggests a happy past, but can have an air of nostalgia about it.  Memories may come flooding back to you now, you may be thinking back to better times, or if the present situation is troublesome, you may be taking comfort from thinking back to better times in your life.  You want to feel protected and loved.  There is a great feeling of comfort seeking with this card, as if you are looking for a blanket of protection to comfort you.  Generally there is happiness from this card, and you may also be rewarded from past friendships or previous acts of goodwill or kindness.  It is a time for making wishes. 

7 OF CUPS:  This card normally indicates a warning of illusions of success.  This card suggests a need for realism.  It can indicate an overactive imagination, or too much going on in the subconscious mind which is a valuable gift but may lead to illusion or fantasy.  There may be various options before you, and you should choose with realism.  A time of daydreaming or confusion - rationality is required!  You may need to pay a bit more attention to what is going on around you.

8 OF CUPS:  This card usually suggests a failure in a relationship - it is time to move on to new things.  You have enjoyed stability or a relationship but you realise deep, deep down that there is something lacking.  Sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to gain, and the present situation could be more trouble than it is worth.  You must think of what you want from life and how you want to be treated by others.  If you are not happy, then this card suggests taking a long hard look - take a step back.  Accept help from others if offered, you don't have to deal with things alone.  You may be experiencing great disappointment and feel disillusioned, but only you can pick yourself up and make the situation better.  

9 OF CUPS:  Indicates good fortune, an emotional breakthrough, well-being.  There is a feeling of contentment, love and friendships.  Good health, pleasure and letting go of hidden feelings or emotions.  This is a card of renewal and fortune - maintain an optimistic attitude. 

10 OF CUPS:  This card indicates success, it is very social and indicates lots of people, either friends or family.  It represents a happy life, joy, social life, family life, contentment, success, fulfillment, however, sometimes the 10's can suggest too much of something - if you feel you are spending all your free time with friends and family, take some time out for yourself to pamper yourself and attend to your own needs.

PAGE/VALET OF CUPS:  The personality represented by this card is usually someone who is artistic, creative or psychic.  Normally this is a shy and quiet person, who may be studying or learning.  This person is modest and hides their true skills.  This card indicates  young water sign.  The situation represented by this card is often quite arty or creative, there may be new hobbies or interests, a connection with poetry, art, divination, or psychic abilities.  There may also be a lot going on in the subconscious mind, vivid dreams or intuitions.  

KNIGHT OF CUPS:  The personality represented by this card is someone who is sensitive, imaginative, romantic, perhaps a sheltered person or someone who has been spoiled!  This person is good at heart, although may be selfish from time to time.  The situation represented by this card is a time for romance, love, marriage, new ideas but if there is a negative influence around this card, it can indicate someone who needs to understand the meaning of love, or someone who is hiding away from their emotions or feelings.

QUEEN OF CUPS:  This feminine influence card indicates someone quiet, gentle, rather mysterious, perhaps a dreamer, who has many hidden strengths.  She may be artistic and creative, and is likely to have well developed psychic skills.  She is receptive to the subconscious mind, and has great intuition.  This is a very loving person, who is plain and honest with much sympathy and empathy towards others.  This person is often misunderstood, and can be rather difficult to understand at times.

KING OF CUPS:  This masculine influence card usually indicates a well educated male, a professional, perhaps a Doctor, Solicitor or Teacher.  His personality may appear rather cool and aloof, and he may find it difficult to express his own emotions freely.  However, he is honest and caring but is probably a bit out of touch with his own feelings!  This man is very supportive to those he loves, but yet may be slow to demonstrate his affection.  A man of intelligence and generosity, but he may avoid emotional confrontations. 

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