Friday, April 18, 2008

Queen of Cups...


Queen of Cups
Coffee cup…Measuring cup…Cupcake… the Holy Grail…and now Socks!

My ‘Queen of Cups’ moment was inspired by a pattern on Knitty.com for a pair of beautiful socks, designed by Nathania Apple, called “Queen of Cups”. For any of you who think this is a familiar story, it might be because I posted it on a message board some time ago and it was quickly locked down. We are all different and I do respect the views and fee!ings of others. This blog is a place where I can express myself, uncensored, and if you are not comfortable with the tarot, please turn back now!

A tarot deck contains 78 cards. Each card depicts a particular aspect of our life at any given time. The cards are divided into two groups: the majors, which signify aspects or times of our lives that are of great importance or noteworthiness while the minors signify the ordinary, mundane, everyday aspects of our lives. It is interesting to note that the majors are 22 in number, while the minors are 56. This numerical difference is interesting as it reminds us that most of our lives are made up of the little, every day things. The Queen of Cups is technically in the minor category, but she is also what is called a court card. This type of card generally signifies a person or a type of energy. You will begin to understand this as you read further.

Cups can be used to hold things like water, or wine. They can be used to measure things. Cups are a part of our everyday lives. There are just always there, ready for use, often in the background. We give cups very little thought, but when one is missing from the cupboard, there is an immediate disruption in our routine. We reach for the cup to fill…and if it is not there, everything just simply stops. Those of us who are Mother’s may sometimes feel as if we are in the background. But, if we are not there, everything simply stops.

Perhaps the Queen of Cups can be a card of meditation for this day…a chance to try on all that the Queen of Cups is about. Like a cup of tea infused with the essence of the plant which yields it energy in the form of flavour and scent, the energy from this card is empowering and affirming.

The Queen of Cups in the tarot symbolizes mature feminine energy. This energy can be put forward in many ways and can come to mean much more than meets the eye. It can be manifested in the inspiration from a muse, the desire to create and bring an aesthetic sensibility to the world in which the Queen of Cups resides. This includes art, crafts, music, poetry, other creative endeavours, and a life of purpose. These pursuits are possible because this feminine energy is directed and purposeful.

This card is more than aesthetic beauty; it is also about an inner beauty that emanates from a place of confidence, caring, and a sense of order in the home. The Queen of Cups is a mediator, an organizer, an empathic being, and a listener. The feminine energy is channelled to bring about order, peace, and mediation in family matters. Sometimes she must listen to the voice of reason, but also to the stillness of her heart, whose language is intuitive.

Also a Healer, a counsellor, a psychic or otherworldly being, The Queen of Cups can bring spirituality, tranquility, mystery, and emotional sensitivity to any situation. She is inspiring, receptive, warm-hearted, and kind. Her goal is personal satisfaction in all pursuits, regardless of the material outcome. In spite of all her giving to others, she keeps her cup full as her reserves of strength are buttressed by a network of friends, family, and acquaintances, from which she is not afraid to draw.

As with all aspects of ourselves, or the card we draw for a meditation or reading, there is a continuum. There are the gifts and there are the challenges. This image of the Queen of Cups is no exception. While her gifts are numerous, there is a shadow side which can teach us more about ourselves; we just need to open our hearts, open our minds, and truly listen.

The Queen of Cups can teach us to not become overly sensitive to criticism. She reminds us not to be so easily distracted, disorganized, unrealistic, or irrational. She cautions against self-centeredness, moodiness, inconsistencies, and general lack of focus. We are reminded to be aware of other people and to not let them easily influence us, as we may be wont to do.

When this card is drawn, as an independent card for a daily meditation, or one that is part of a larger tarot spread, we need to consider following our intuition. It can signify a need to go with the flow. It can be viewed as a dare to daydream. The Queen of Cups encourages us to focus on nurturing our families and creating an environment that is harmonious. It suggests that we offer our heart to the one we love. It also reminds us that, at times, we need to replenish this cup in order to sustain our energy.

This pattern that has grabbed my attention is for a pair of socks. At it’s most base form, a sock it like a cup. It holds something. Whether it holds fruit and nuts as a Christmas stocking, or whether it is a simple, everyday sock, that holds the foot, the form and shape are undeniably cup-like. This leads to an interesting parallel… the sock cups our foot. The Queen of Cups sock is an object of beauty. Perhaps these special socks, worn on our feet, can keep us grounded; they can remind us to stay centered and divine the feminine energy that this symbol of cups embodies.

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