Cups [Court Cards Included]

Yesterday was such a wonderfully lazy day, I was super tempted to repeat it today. But, alas, I have things to do and should get back into the habit of waking up early as my shift starts at 8 tomorrow morning. Boo.

Since I pulled my Goddess cards so late on Monday night, I did not feel I needed to pull one yesterday. But today I have two! My Goddesses love to repeat themselves.

First off, I shuffle a bunch, and while I don't usually like to peak at the bottom card (I personally shuffle and pull from the top only), I felt the urge to take a quick glance. Who was there? Why MAEVE of course. I have pulled her 3 times since reading for my blog and it was funny to see such a familiar face. You can read more about the times I pulled her here, here and here.

After pulling from the top, who was there but Diana! The very same Goddess that I mentioned in my Pentacles post just this past Monday. Hello, darling.

Naturally, I said hey, and then shuffled some more and pulled another.

A completely new love popped up to say Hi. White Tara, Sensitivity. Underneath her she says, "You are becoming increasingly sensitive. Avoid harsh relationships, environments, situations, and chemicals."

This card may seem weirdly specific, and that's what I thought when I saw her when I went through all my cards initially. However, she is extremely fitting for what is going through my life right now, in a number of ways.

This is my second week living in Florida. While I've visited here before, I was usually out doing things with my family. Too much movement to see if this new climate was effecting my body in a new way. What I've so far learned is that the humidity is awful for my allergies and that I can apparently get a cold from the air conditioning even when it's at 75 degrees. I've been coming here for at least 15 years, but I'm learning things about my body that I had previously been blind to.

Another thing is, as I mentioned in my Pentacles post, I am getting better at opening up to people in general. Last night, I was in an extremely introspective mood. I was deeply considering writing about these issues and past experiences that I have thus far so purposefully skirted around. I got in touch with an online counselor. I am coming to terms with the things that I've been through. One of the things that I've constantly felt is that I haven't been through something traumatic, so I haven't the right to write about it. I don't like the idea of painting myself as a victim because unless I fall into one of my dark moods, I don't think that I am, and I think putting it out in the world would make me seem like I'm screaming for attention. Clearly, I'm still talking in circles. But I'm accepting that people have different thresholds and I have every right to share what is on my mind, just like it is everyone else's right to simply not read it.

I have yet to share any of my writings except for in the Parlour (Intensive) because these people just seem safe, and like the least judgmental group I've ever been a part of. I will hopefully share more in my blog, and in turn share my blog to the outside world soon. I like to think I am getting there.

Now, let's move on to Cups, shall we?

Ace:
What are some things that make you want to propose a toast to Life?
Well, let me see...definitely my lazy days. Yesterday was magical. I wanted to go swimming but was too cold, so you know what I did? Took a 3 hour bath and just lounged and splashed. It was glorious.
Hmmm what else...Friendship of course. And luck. I have a very good friend here in Florida whom I just met a week ago. I always seem to have good luck with my roommates. I have been randomly placed with people 4 times now and every time my roommate is a gem.
Another one...I'm going to lump family in with friendship so...my traveling experiences! I've been so lucky as of late to have to the freedom and support to wander off willy nilly and plop down in a space of my choosing :)

Two:
Who do you want to toast to? Who makes you feel completely accepted?
Currently, it would have to be my SF friend. We haven't spoken as much since my move, lots of different things moving around so it's hard for us to coordinate, but he's probably the person I've confided in most these past few months and I've yet to feel him judge me

In order, Le Tarot des Femmes Erotiques, Dreaming Way, and Joie de Vivre.

I really like this card in every deck as they each show a completely different idea of companionship or love. In Erotiques, it is two women who just look like they are completely enjoying one another's company. They also seem to be doing a balancing act of some kind, each keeping the other in check. In Dreaming Way, there is a man and a woman who do seem to be literally toasting each other. Unless you count the shape of the smoke, there doesn't seem to be a literal translation of romantic feelings. The owls in Joie de Vivre seem very much in love, however. They are in symmetry, or balance like in Erotiques, but also have heart hanging over their heads, with two cups overflowing with water (intuition) at their feet.


Three: 
Who is in your gang?
Don't have one at the moment; I'm working on it.

I LOVE my femmes card because it looks like 3 ladies just went on an interpretive dance spree. That's what my future gang will look like, for sure.

Four:
What are somethings that you aren't quite as grateful for as you should be? Things that happen on the daily that you forget are gifts?
Kindness, shelter, a job.

Five:
When depression hits, what is there to snap you out of it?
Usually I just let it run it's course, honestly. I do know that my friends are there for me, but I just prefer to go it alone, be depressed until I'm so sick of it that I just walk towards that bridge and head to the castle.

Six:
Six is all about nostalgia and bringing out your inner child. What do they want to do right now? Is there a happy memory that instantly brings you back?
My inner child love to just dance and run around. Explore, draw. Whenever I feel like I need a break, I throw on some music and dance around my house. I think a lot of my early good memories are just about time with my family, going to the movies or out to dinner together. It's peaceful, and when I'm in a funk like in the Five of Cups, doing those activities alone help me out a bunch.

Seven:
Lots of options and creativity! What are some of the things running through your mind?!
I always have projects in mind. Knitting, sewing, painting, blogging, my future store...the key is to actually make a move on something if you want it to happen. My procrastination is a huge problem for me, I rarely ever work on personal projects. I like to think I am getting better at blogging though :)

I love the Dreaming Way 7 of Cups. I think it illustrates the idea of options and creativity super well. It also looks like it can go hand in hand with the different suits. There's coins (pentacles), cups (the woman looks like she's flying to me), wands (maybe the smoke? Fire, making things happen) and swords (the snake). I also see different activities; dreams, flying, a castle or home, a crown for making decisions, the snake for poisonous actions...etc.

Eight:
This card is about moving on and finding what works for you. Examples?
This entire year has been my moving on from a bad situation. No looking back.

"Bye, Felicia"

The Joie de Vivre card is great, I think. A lot of 8 of Cups cards depict someone leaving the cups. This deck has someone using his cups to escape. He didn't have what he wanted so he inverted his cups to create something new and took flight. I love that he also looks happy about this decision, I think that's important.

Nine:
Your heart's desires are coming true! What do you wish for?!
Shhh, it's a secret ;)

Ten:
MAGIC IS HAPPENING! WHAT DO YOU FANTASIZE?
I haven't mentioned my new job title cause I could get in trouble if I mix my two lives too much, but lemme just say DISNEY WORLD. I work for the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH and I've only been applying here for 4 years. MAGIC BABY!

Note: The Court Cards have a similar meaning throughout the suits.

Page (Novice):
The Page is dreaming of love and life and happiness! She's the daydreamer who isn't necessarily paying attention, but has a head full of thoughts.

I love my Femmes card because...just look at her! Dreamy. Underneath, she says "Unexpected Love."
Dreaming Way is pretty cool too. I think she looks sad, which I never liked before, but if you actually look at the picture as a whole, she is filling her cup with her thoughts. Her head is literally dripping with intuition!
Me and the Page are biffles. Dreaming up new things and new loves is just about my favorite past time haha!

Knight (Lady):
This lady is on it. She's starting that journey and wants to make your dreams come true!

Queen (Chatelaine):
I think the Queen of Cups is super important. She's the protector. She's protecting your heart and your dreams. She's allowing that Page to keep on daydreaming.
I think that right now I really relate to the Queen of Cups. She is protecting me and my feelings, while also helping me to grow. I've already started my journey and am doing what I enjoy, but I haven't completed anything yet. I'm working on it.

King (Queen):
The king is there! You've fulfilled your dreams and are doing what makes you happy!

I love how all of these cards look as they don't just seem to have reached their goal, but they seem set on helping you (or others) reach it too.
Look at Femmes. Underneath her it says "She Who Offers Love," and she looks like she's just waiting for you to pop down next to her on the bed and share some delicious tea and cookies. The King in Dreaming Way is sitting alone, but he's got a nice, knowing smile like he'd happily help you up or get you your own floating throne. And then there's the Joie de Vivre. He looks like a witch doctor to me and in one hand he's got a cup/bowl full or magic, while his other is beckoning you to come forward and get some magic of your very own.
I definitely admire the King right now. Some people get what they want and that's it; this guy is intent on sharing the wealth, so to speak.

Hope you enjoyed my stories today :)

Lots of love and luck,
Andy <3