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3.4 Seven, Eight, Nine

Activity

Spend time with each of the Cups below to generate your “tarot encyclopedia” notecard for each. I recommend the following process, which only takes ~10 minutes per card. You do not need to complete all (or any) card in a single sitting.

  1. Look at the image on the card and examine its details.
  2. Read the page in the companion book for that card.
  3. Read the description provided here.
  4. OPTIONAL: Read other descriptions of that card online or in other books.
  5. Reflect on the questions posed.
  6. Write down the details of the image that have meaning to you and the 2 or 3 interpretations (perhaps 1 heavenly, 1 upright earthly, and 1 reversed earthly) that resonate most strongly for you. Feel free to write down your own interpretations based on what comes to you!

Seven of Cups

Name: Illusory Success

Astrological Correspondence: Venus in Scorpio

Position on The Tree: Venus of Water. Victory in the Creative World.

Notes to consider: Each cup holds something that represents a pleasure or a fear. We are always in a relationship with our circumstances. Scorpio is the home of Mars, Venus’ partner. But the god of War and the goddess of Love are a strange match.

Decisions. Succumbing to passions, lusts, anxieties, impulses. Feeling a sense of deluded grandeur. Is this a chance to take a risk, dream big, and go for it?

Eight of Cups

Name: Abandoned Success

Astrological Correspondence: Saturn in Pisces

Position on The Tree: Mercury of Water. Splendor in the Creative World.

Notes to consider: A cup is missing. 8 out of 9 apparently isn’t enough because the figure is walking away. The decision in the last card seems to have paid off, but the process isn’t complete yet. There’s no point in settling when we know more is out there.

Seek what’s missing and dissolve whatever is keeping you stuck and settled. Go for a deeper understanding; don’t be satisfied with something that’s partially finished. Especially your understanding of how your emotions create your experience.

Nine of Cups

Name: Material Happiness

Astrological Correspondence: Jupiter in Pisces

Position on The Tree: Moon of Water. Foundation in the Creative World.

Notes to consider: Going for that final piece is worth it. Notice the white robe (Wisdom sefirah) and the red cap (Understanding sefirah) – maturity and simplicity. Deeply contented with all needs and desires fulfilled. Thy cup runneth over.

Everybody’s happy! Enjoy the fruit of all that hard work—expansion, generosity, abundance. It really is almost perfect, but one thing is missing. what could it be?