TODAY'S CARD IS The Ace of Cups. The version below is from The Fairytale Tarot, designed by Karen Mahony, illustrated by Alex Ukolov, and artwork by Irena Trikova; published by Magic Realist Press:



For comparison, here's the Ace of Cups in the Rider/ Waite/ Smith deck:



THE ACE OF CUPS: Given my recent new creative project that I've been sharing here (The Taiga Tarot), I thought it was a good time to speak a little about the Ace of Cups. Not too long ago, after I'd drafted a review of a beautiful new art Tarot deck, I dreamed of three different versions of the Ace of Cups. I think that is a good example of how this card shows up around times of creative beginnings. This ace also tends to surface in times of great potential for love and other emotional abundance. I must admit it is one of the few cards in the Tarot that I've infrequently seen show up in a negative capacity. In fact, like The Star, its positive meaning(s) often radiate within a reading, affecting surrounding cards. I find attributing the story of the Ugly Duckling in The Fairytale Tarot to the Ace of Cups to be charming. The ultimate new beginning for the beleaguered ugly duckling as a beautiful swan is a wonderful image of potential realized. (The accompanying book covers this correspondence in depth, as it does with all of the cards and their fairytales.)

DIFFERENT OR LESS COMMON, EVEN QUIRKY MEANINGS FOR THE ACE OF CUPS (i.e. the below is not intended to be an exhaustive exploration of this card; a quick google will produce a wider variety of takes should you not be familiar with this card):

Can indicate an egotistical or self-centered person.

To positively effect your mood, take a shower whether you need one or not (it's worked for me!).

Rarely, but it can indicate a situation is approaching emotional overwhelm.

Watch the tendency to stay in the delightful early stages of creativity in order to avoid the next, grittier steps needed in order to manifest the idea.

An influx of many different sorts of creative energies or ideas. Keep notes so you can decide later what to pursue.

A time to be emotionally generous. The more you give, the more you have to give.

That sense of (or yearning for) mystical union with the All.

Aces in General: Can mean one needs to go back to the beginning to "pick up lost stitches," or start again from scratch. Can also simply suggest taking stock or a second look before taking any new action.

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Resource: The Transparent Tarot, "...uses clear sheets with symbolic elements that can be combined in layers, to make combined pictures and meanings," a deck-in-progress.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep being open to creative energies and enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****

"A ROOM WITH MANY VIEWS," A NEW DREAM-INSPIRED TAROT LAYOUT

The Seven of Cups
Rider/Waite/Smith Deck

BACKGROUND

In late February, 2007, I had a dream in which "I enter a room by a door. In the wall in front of me is a row of three double windows. I realize I have to shut the bottom two windows on the right and the middle top one as it is starting to rain." When I mentioned this dream to Eva Yaa Asantewaa (in another context entirely) she said "A Tarot layout!" Thank you so much for the inspiration, Eva.

The layout format itself seemed clear from the dream: two rows of three, with the addition of an entry and exit card. I had realized on working with the dream that it had to do with not seeing things clearly because intense emotions (the rain) were clouding my view. So I decided the hinge of the reading layout would be determining where one is seeing clearly or not. Although I do not work with reversed cards, I thought here's a time they would really come in handy:

Upright = Seeing Clearly
Reversed = Not Seeing Clearly

It felt very strange to scramble up one of my decks to work with this reading, but also fun. Although I'm not now a convert to reversals, for this layout I do like working with them.


LAYOUT



NOTE: The following about upright and reversed cards only applies to Cards 2 to 7. Cards 1 and 8 can be read as you normally read upright and reversed cards.

UPRIGHT CARDS = You are seeing clearly whatever the card is addressing. The card itself will provide further details.

REVERSED CARDS = You are not seeing clearly or what needs to be seen. The card itself will provide further details.

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ROW ONE & ROW TWO = You can designate these to address any two issues, areas, or concerns. They can also be two aspects of the same issue, or complementary or entwined issues. Samples: Self/Other(s); Spirit/Body; Mind/Heart; Job/Family; Finances/Romance; etc. The two issues need not be related, but I have found some connection "ups" the energy of the reading, and can yield intriguing levels to the relationship.

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CARD 1, IN DOOR = Advice to keep in mind when doing the reading.

CARD 8, OUT DOOR = Help for going forward after the reading.


CONCLUSION

Whether this is a reading of fine-tuning your perceptions or a deeply moving one -- or something in between -- varies, of course, depending on what issues are assigned to Rows One and Two. But each time I've used this layout it has yielded helpful results. I'd love to hear how it goes for you should you try it.

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Resource: Aids to Dream Recall.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep enjoying your dreams, and The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****