Page of Cups - Good News!

This is the second Page I've drawn in two days. Messages of encouragement, clarity and transformation are very welcomed for sure!

Sometimes it's difficult to be hopeful, sensitive, helpful and loyal when we're struggling and can result in tunnel vision or we become myopic, seeing our problems only and focusing solely on ourselves. We might even feel after a loss, or a painful life experience that we've nothing to give anyone. It's been my experience that there's nothing more helpful to me, than reaching out to those who are also struggling.

Help can come in so many forms, and the smallest of kindnesses should never be minimized, as it can mean all the difference to someone else, bringing them happiness, perhaps save a life, that might even be our own.

There's a powerful and beautiful synchronicity that happens when we're in this situation, reaching out to others in difficulty, in that we help ourselves in the process, by giving to another in whatever way possible. When we pay it forward this generosity is hopefully passed on to another, who will in turn, pay it forward.

Moving away from self-preoccupation, to having an awareness of others, is a self-sacrifice that can creatively transform our lives, and that's the good news!

Page of Cups - The Holy Living Grail

Pages always represent a message and youthful innocence. This Page of Cups of synchronicity and creativity embodies the mythic image of Narcissus, often seen as the representation of vanity, of someone who's in love with themselves, or having emotional immaturity. In fact the story of this ambiguous figure symbolizes the gentle beginnings and feelings of self-love and knowing our self-worth.

Anyone could be excused for being enamoured by this youth, known for his beauty, but Narcissus was unaware of his own identity. As a creative young Thespian, the son of a river god Cephisus and his mother the nymph Liriope, she was advised by Tiresias the blind seer, never to be allowed to see his own reflection. However when he does see his reflection, upon coming to a river he sits by, he falls in love with the image he sees thinking it is someone else, not himself. Once realizing this is his own reflection, sadly Narcissus kills himself because this was an unobtainable love, that he could not bare to live without. In Greek Mythology it is also thought that he was so completely overwhelmed with sorrow over the death of his twin sister, it led him to take his own life. The very beautiful Narcissus flower grew and bloomed in the exact place where he'd died.

The tragic and sad ending to this story can also be interpreted as getting past self-preoccupation to the awareness and concern for others. Narcissus is transformed into the Knight of Cups who is on a spiritual vision quest, much like Galahad, one of the legendary Knights from King Arthur's Round Table and who were in search of the Holy Grail.

The Cup that Narcissus is seen here gazing into, reminds me of the Holy Grail, the Living Grail, which reflects the transformation of the unconscious psyche or our soul, where we can find the love we all seek in serving one another.

Page of Cups - Tenderheart

When I was little, and a teenaged girl, I was very much this kind of Page of Cups, and exhibited all the page's qualities, emotional, intuitive, inquisitive, naive and innocent. I was pretty regularly getting myself into some kind of pickle from an early age, prone to getting my fingers, arms or feet stuck in some kind of contraption. When I was four I stuck a candy in my ear, and at ten shaved my eyebrow off, and at 14 climbed the Guelph water tower because I thought I was in love with the boy who climbed the tower with me. All of which was mostly out of curiosity that I did these things, and because I thought with my heart, which left me blind sighted. I had no foresight. This carried on into my own relationships, and in the matters of the heart, resulting in a lot of heart ache, because of having a too trusting and a naive nature. I continued to make bad choices and life decisions, but I did manage at least to keep both my eyebrows on my face at this point, although I did give myself some really bizarre haircuts!

As a typical Gemini with my moon in Pisces, and being a water person in every way, I certainly relate to the Page of Cups. The page's negative experiences in life can make them jaded and cynical. If we can find away to hold onto the positive personality traits of the Page of Cups, within ourselves, and learn to temper our emotion with the more prudent,  logical, and intellectual aspects of our nature, we can come into more of a balanced state of being between or head and heart. I have spent many years doing just that.

 I am thankful through the Grace of God that the hurts, difficulties, and even tragedies have enabled me to keep my heart open. This has happened only through discernment, and wisdom that has come with experience, knowledge, understanding and healing the split between love and spirit.

When you are a tender heart, like this Page of Cups, it can be a blessing and a liability, in that this can leave your open heart vulnerable to being hurt and broken. This is the major pitfall of this Page. There is an honesty here, that is not always appreciated by everyone. The Page of Cups is as ready to cry, as to laugh, and there can be those that love these very transparent qualities present in the Page's nature, but some will simply take advantage, see them as a fool, and believe they deserve what they get for being so stupid and naive.

The balance between giving others the benefit of the doubt along with magical thinking, or not seeing reality as it is, can be a precarious tight rope walk for the Page of Cups in today's world, that seems full of unscrupulous individuals, who have hidden agendas, and are only looking out selfishly for number one.

The Page of Cups is a card of love and the world is in need of the loving hopeful idealist that sees the good in people, perhaps when we can't see it in ourselves.

Page of Cups - Love Vs Ego

This Page gazes into the Golden Cup, seeing his mirror image. He is transfixed and enchanted by the beauty of his reflection. Seated on the bank of the river, he appears to be harmoniously surrounded by abundant, lush greenery, and flowers, with trees that look like they are embracing and drinking in the water, representing the spiritual realm.

Cups are connected to emotions, relationships, friendships and romance.
The Page of Cups is living in what looks like Paradise, but he does not take notice, as he is completely absorbed in looking at his own image in the cup. This Page is the young nymph Narcissus, who has fallen in love with his own reflection. He has been unaware of his own identity until now.

Trees for me, always symbolize friendship, and like the trees the roots of friendship run deep, and are all connected deep within the earth. Humans have a direct relationship with nature, which transcends into a spiritual relationship, as we are all part of the earth. It is impossible to separate ourselves from this fact, though in today's world, there exists a big disconnect, as we humans see ourselves as superior to nature. We some how believe that our primary purpose is to use, abuse, and exploit the natural world, and the good earth in whatever ways that are expedient to us.

The Page of Cups embodies the gentle beginnings of self-love, as opposed to the vain love that Narcissus represents. It is true, we are not able to love another, nor fully participate in a loving relationship, if we cannot love and accept who we are. The other extreme is about our egos being so self-absorbed, thinking we are superior, which never allows for happiness, peace of mind, or living a life in harmony with nature, where we are caring for and being good stewards of the world we live in.

Page of Cups - Facing the Gorgon - Unexpected News

Well I got unexpected news today, as the Page of Cups indicates, of a spiritual nature. Not before going into my anxiety panic attack first. This time it was different. I got real quiet, and mindful within myself. Then I said a prayer. These two actions made the difference for me. My prayers were answered immediately, the anxiety left, once I decided to ignore my panic, and did what I had to do. Don't you wish that could happen all the time? I do think it does, for me, but I don't always take note of it in a real conscious way, until later. What happened today was different, and I know I need to nurture this kind of transitional shift within.

This Page speaks about the gentle stirrings, and nurturing self-care. It is the renewal of self-love and having a general interest in the body, the environment, and a focus on emotional pleasure rather than on pain or  painful memories.

I love all the Pages in the Tarot. They are youthful, possessing innocence, and a purity of heart. They always bring a message for us, because they are messengers and capture the essence of transition.

The Page of Cups will eventually become the truly romantic spirit in the form of the Knight of Cups, who makes the world a better place full of vibrancy and colour.. He will go onto slay the Gorgon Medusa, that butt ugly she-monster, with those snakes comin' out of her head.Ugh, she real scary ugly!

Well I didn't slay the Gorgon today but honestly it almost felt that way because I faced my fear, turned it over, and like Vasalisa The Wise with the doll in her pocket, I listened to the still quiet voice that helped me find my way, and I didn't forget to say my prayers.

Anne Lamott may favourite author wrote a great book, Help, Thanks, Wow. She talks about how these three words are her most frequently said prayers. I realized today they have also become mine.
What are your prayers? Do you listen to that still quiet voice?

Vasalisa The Wise-Egg Tempera, 2012 - Catherine Meyers

Page of Cups - The Artist

A great card for me today, because it is finally the day of my reception for my art exhibition which I am very excited about!

 I am fond of Pages from the Court Cards, as they represent hopeful new beginnings, self-discovery and transformation. It makes me think that I can't start my day over any time!
Pages always have a message to give, and represent the young, single inexperienced individual, and novice.

The Page of Cups augers unexpected news, likely of a spiritual nature, and is associated with my favourite element of water. This Page is sensitive, benevolent in nature, and loyal. It is also the card of the artist, they are motivated by a desire to express and communicate the workings of their internal world of imagination, intuition and emotion. However there may be lots of daydreaming and sometimes not a whole lot of practical every day application, which needs to be attended to, on a daily basis. A good reminder indeed!

  The world of creativity, art, mysticism and alternative medicine of the patient or therapist, all areas of great interest, which can certainly nurture the self, on the road to discovery, and self-actualization.