Eight of Cups - Happy May Day

Poor Psyche has her work cut out for her and what lies ahead doesn't appear to give her much hope. She's been given the task of  making the descent into the underworld and acquiring Aphrodite's beauty cream. Now that's a hard job and the pay sucks!


In the late 19th century the first of May (May Day) was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day. It's also an ancient northern hemisphere, traditional spring festival and holiday in many cultures, celebrating fertility with dancing, singing and cake.  

The mythological goddess of flowers was Flora. She played an important role in this celebration, and was representing the most beautiful, delicate and fragrant wild Mayflower.

I'm reminded that we all have our work and tasks to perform, whether we like it or not. It's all part of being a responsible and something we have to accept. But this doesn't mean we have accept enslavement or being a prisoner to our work whatever it may be, especially when it becomes drudgery and making us unhappy.

Thankfully things change and we can change, either our work and/or our attitude. There is a time to work and a time to play. Spring calls for us to shake off the Winter blues and to celebrate Spring and the coming Summer. 

This is what happens to Psyche she comes to a point of acceptance, she lets go and shakes things off. It's only when she does this, that things begin to improve and she can once again celebrate,sing and sing around the May Pole. And don't forget the cake!

Primavera by Botticelli - Flora

Eight of Cups - The Darkest Hour

When I drew this card this morning, I thought, not the Eight of Cups again? I just drew this card of change, disappointment and escapism, three days ago.Why? Then I thought, there's a message here, so I'll dig in to finding out what it is.

Like so many others right now, especially those committed to human rights, I'm preoccupied with the reality of the situation in the US and what it all means to the future of our world. It can be daunting to think about it, but hope will always bring unity overcoming fear and divisiveness.

I'm by nature an optimist and hopeful, but I'm a realist. There is nothing that can drive you mad more that worrying about the past and projecting in the future. So I try hard to refrain from doing either and live in the present, with the decision to change whatever I can.

I heard a song today by Arcade Fire and Mavis Staples which emboldened me with hope in spite of not knowing what the future holds, like Psyche who had fearful feelings of dread and hopelessness. We can not turn back, but we have to walk forward in the power of faith, because we are not alone, and we cannot walk alone.

This may feel like the darkest hour to many, but I do believe in my heart, and soul that the darkest hour is always before dawn.

Eight of Cups - Psyche's Road of Trials

Psyche, like Persephone has her own journey to take, that involves disappointment, escapism and ultimately change.

The Moon lights Psyche's way in spite of her not knowing what lies in wait, as she descends the steps into darkness, and is fearful that she may not return and might face imminent death.

She's been on a quest for love that involves healing a split. She's been under the illusion that she needs to over ride her feelings, her intuition, and the dreams that inform her of the truth of life. She does not have answers, but she knows she must have courage, a willingness to listen to her inner wisdom, and to the wisdom of the earth that begs for change.

Psyche does eventually return, a changed individual, after learning the task of discrimination, how to curb her generosity, to set boundaries, and to say no. She has found her way  on the road of trials and she is strengthened, healed and transformed, because she has endured. Her search for illusory love has been de-mythologized, resulting in her own autonomy, achievement and nurturance.  Eros and Psyche are no longer split and have been reunited within herself.

" If you travel far enough, one day you will recognize yourself coming down the road to meet yourself, And you will say-YES
                                          - Marion Woodman

Lot's Wife

Somewhere up the road
in another voice
and another language
she waits for another time
and the washing of the feet
while I, salt tear woman-size,
stand solidified, Lot's wife,
looking back at my flaming city
valleys and mountains and plains
away. Stand turning,
millenial weight of years turning
to the distant waiting epochs
lives with no names
falling and tumbling
down rock encrusted hills
woman without end
her rhymings going with her
her rememberings,
her hard words, her soft cries, all our unheard
the ways I am hearing
the silenced sounds of women
beginning to break open
and be heard deep and wide.
Full turning, one step forward,
one more and yet another,
I move up the road
to her who I am
and am not yet.
                        Rhett Kelly