Twos-Duality

Two of Cups - Duality

Twos are always a representation of duality and opposing forces. I ask myself why did I draw this card? It's not really difficult for me to figure out that this duality is present in my life right now.

 I'm feeling somewhat torn bewteen wanting to hang on to my old life and trying to adapt to the extreme changes that have transpired since my cancer diagnosis in September 13th, 2018.

Cups are connected to the emotion, surrounding relationship with others or with ourselves. This is the beginging of the relationship between Eros (Love) and Psyche (Soul). And for me this is the beginning of a whole new way of living.

Eros is seen here in the Two of Cups approaching Psyche, and about to deliver her fate, her imminent death, ordered by Aphrodite, for Eros to follow through on. However he inadvertently pricks himself with the intended arrow, meant for Psyche, and unexpectedly falls head over heels in love with Psyche, which changes everything for both of them, and things will never be the same, as they can not go back to the way things were.

Many situations in life we often expect to unfold one way, when suddenly in a complete twist of fate, and circumstance, everything seems to conspire against us and throws us in a completely different direction.

We have a choice in deciding how to cope with this new situation in the way of either a reaction or response. Initially we react with some kind of emotion as it's only normal. It's a shock to the system and we need time to adjust. Hopefully once we manage to get a grip on ourselves we can use decernment in how we decide what to do in response. Personally I think it's better just to pause, try to find our center and take in just what has happened if we can.

Always something is lost, but their is also something to be gained in every situation in our lives. But not all is lost and no doubt much is to be gained, in ways that are totally unexpected and are completly unknown, as we are unaware of never have been in a situation such as this.

Psyche is totally in the dark and has absolutely no idea what Eros has been ordered to do, and what is going to take place in the immediate future. Psyche right now unknowingly loves Eros, but has given up in thinking that love or life for her, will ever come to fruition. as what she believes awaits her is a monster about to take her life, with no way out. It appears to be a hopeless scenario.  But nothing or no one is ever hopeless. There is always hope, even for those who appear hopeless.

And so when suddenly the circumstance for Eros and Psyche has changed as a result of that one arrow, resulting in Eros fallng in love with Psyche, now all bets are off, and everything has changed in an instant and not everything is as it appears on the surface. We need to look below the surface and with this comes acceptance and appreciation for how things have changed and we must accept our new  reality so we can find serenity.

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

Seven of Cups - Flights of Fancy and Castle in the Air

I'm an imaginative person I know that, as a creative. I love stories of emotion, imagination, fantasy and myth that teach life lessons.

The card of the Seven of Cups indicates the combination of faith, emotion, illusion, fantasy and imagination, all qualities that are useful to artists and all human beings. However if we can't balance these with reality, that's when it can become problematic, leading us to deluding ourselves with pipe dreams and good intentions that somehow don't materialize or come to fruition perhaps, we loose our way, running from reality and life, causing a complexity of confusion.

There was a time that I ran from reality through the use and abuse of alcohol, that I became addicted to, and left me unable to distinguish reality from fantasy by times. I thank the God of my understanding I no longer need to live my life this way, and have 24 years of contented sobriety, one day at a time, which was something that did not came easy. It was rather like the tasks presented to Psyche by Aphrodite. Psyche had to work hard at facing the challenge of choosing and acting in realistic terms to make those potentials manifest.

I'm so very grateful I have chosen to live an uncomplicated life, grounded in reality. I get great satisfaction from the simple pleasures from a life of balance, paying attention to what makes me feel openhearted and alive, celebrating and connecting with quality of life, not in quantity, every day in a Hygge kind of way.

Today I celebrated by enjoying my fresh ground French Dark coffee beans for breakfast, some home made whole wheat buns and an Italian Frittata for supper. Perfection!

 My very Hygge cat Rusty is impressed!

Two of Cups - Overcoming Fear

 Duality, balance, and attraction are the implied indications in the Two of Cups.

I find it curious to note, Eros is sneaking up on Psyche. He seemingly is attempting to take her by surprise but after Eros accidentally pricks himself with the arrow he intended to kill Psyche with, the unexpected result is, Eros falls in love with Psyche and their tumultuous relationship begins.

 As in life we're often surprised and fear the way events unfold. Something we initially might think as being a negative or a positive experience can often lead to a positive or negative outcome, because we've found another door that's opened to us when one has closed, one that we'd never imagined.

It doesn't mean that this all will unfold in an easy manner, and it might be the case that the very opposite will be our reality. We may feel we've gone from the frying pan to the fire and have been completely kicked to the curb, but regardless, the end result will eventually be transformed into something better than what was before or maybe not. We do however have to find a way through.

 On the other hand the unfairness of life, as in nature, many times, makes absolutely no sense, leaving us fearful, confused, dumbfounded and despairing. We are left with the unanswered question, why is this happening?

 I've concluded if I have little to no ability or strength to accept life and death on the their terms,no mine, whatever is presented to me, this is when and what becomes problematic. Acceptance, not denial is always the key that opens a door of hope and freedom enabling me to overcome my fear.

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 - Letting Go of the Beavers

Change, escape and disappointment are all reflected in the Eight of Cups.

Psyche is obviously on her way down to the Underworld not knowing if she'll ever return, because she does know many that don't. It appears to be a hopeless and dark journey.

As with so many cards depicted in the Mythic Tarot and situations in life, initially feel and seem like a calamitous scenario with no apparent resolution, but there is always both positive and negative in every card..
Psyche accepts her situation in spite of the expecting the worse outcome. But because of her accepting attitude things do change for her regardless. The situation may not be ideal but the very best that can be expected, is to let go of the outcome. Not being able to let go of the outcome of our problems is like a beaver that continuously gnaws at a tree, and we're the tree. Eventually it falls one way or another or until it dies.

Today I was visited by Ducks Unlimited who maintain the wetland and take care of the dykes in the tidal marsh, that I look out on from my house.  This has recently meant removing the beavers and their habitat. It saddened me to know they had been trapping the beavers and today had come to destroy the beaver's habitat with a big excavator, in order to prevent the beavers from doing any more damage to my trees or building more dams blocking the water way and the ravine the drains into the marsh.
 

I see this recent development as being a kind of life metaphor, in that it reminds me, sometimes the only escape is to have a willingness to be sad and disappointed in order to make way for change.

Sometimes in life the only resolution might be understanding that there is no resolution, and that's acceptance. This can be the most positive lesson and I think really, is the secret to life.

Seven of Cups - What's In Your Bank Account?

Psyche is praying to Aphrodite for mercy and for a miracle. She's appealing to the goddess of love to heal her relationship with Eros, to relieve and heal her from her overwhelming emotional burdens.

Often human beings when we find ourselves in desperate circumstances, we end up turning to the God/Goddess of our understanding to zealously plead our case. We can perhaps also expect to be physically healed from illness or relieved from another malady or circumstance.

Miracles come in all kinds of forms. I try to expect them, but much of the time my change in attitude can be just the kind of miracle I really need, though it might not necessarily be what I want, regardless of how unrealistic I am being. I need to understand, and accept what I can or can't change, and figure out the difference between the two.

 Acceptance for me is the key to everything in my life, no matter how difficult the circumstance. That's certainly not to say this is an easy task, not at all, because the things that happen are often very painful, and cause me to be fearful, caused by my lack of faith and trust. At this point I have replaced these with worry, anxiety and unrealistic expectations. It takes a lot of ongoing practice and work, one day at a time, sometimes one minute or second at time to gain faith and spiritual strength.

Realistically, my faith and spiritual strength is contingent on my maintenance of my daily conscious contact with the God of my understanding. I compare it to being rather like a bank account that I make regular deposits to, so I have a resource or emergency fund to rely on when the hard times come.

Six of Cups - Is The Darkness Home?

The Six of Cups is a card of nostalgia and reflection. We see Psyche in deep contemplation, reflecting on her life and the past, in solitude.

Our North American culture seems to have a narrative of nostalgia, were everything old is new again, and we are often busy longing for the 'good ole days'. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with nostalgia, unless we  focus on what we think of as being the best of times, but conveniently have a tendency to forget or deny the negative aspects of days gone by. Often during the past we didn't truly appreciate our circumstance or situation, and we we're still wishing for some other day, instead of living in the present. We might say to ourselves, I was happy then or I'll be happy when...

It's human nature to avoid the negative or darker events in life, but this isn't reality, and it's often these difficult experiences that most shape who we are, and more often than not are real life lessons.

However we choose to respond, to whatever circumstance we find ourselves, it's up to us to either become bitter, cloaked in denial, or choose to grow as an empathetic, compassionate human being, that accepts life on life terms, instead of trying to escape reality in some way.

Once I came to accept the darkness, I learned how to save myself from myself and I began to really appreciate the light. My load became much lighter once I embraced the darkness, and then I was much happier.

Six of Cups - No Regrets

Psyche is contemplating about days gone by. She's feeling a certain amount of sentimentality about what has happened between her and Eros and how she lost her love and the good life. However she hasn't any regrets because she a learned so much about herself love and life. What she has gained is experience, strength and hope.

It's tempting and easy to be reminiscent of days gone by, and about our past. There may be pleasant memories, or not. There is nothing wrong with looking back at our past, and we shouldn't shut the door on it. It's when we stare, that's when we can get into problems. Not being able to let go of what has happened, means we can't accept that things have changed, or we long for and cling to the way things once were.We can't let go.

What if we had no past or we couldn't remember any of it? There would be no reference point for us, and it would be difficult, if not impossible to see a future. We'd only have the present moment. Most of us can hardly imagine what this would be like, having no past, no future, and only the present moment. Animals have this skill of living in the present moment down to an art. How many of us who are animal lovers look at our critters and think, oh to be that cat, or dog. Laying around all day waiting for some love and affection and something good to eat.

Many of us as we age think about our past, what was good, what wasn't, and we hold those special memories and moments dear to us.

Having regrets isn't a productive thing, unless there is actually something we can do to change what we regret, if we have harmed someone or ourselves. We can always make our amends, and resolve to treat others, and ourselves with respect and kindness from this point on.

Nostalgia is a feel good state of mind, regret is not. And so Psyche reminds us not to regret, move forward, not backward, and live the very best life we can, be our authentic selves, and to be grateful for the life's memories and moments of every day.

Eight of Cups - Freedom From Death - Freedom To Live

Cups representing the emotional life, here in the Eight of Cups we see the descent of Persephone (Psyche) which is dreaded and dark, but one that is taken by many of us at some point in our lives. Persephone is descending down the stairwell of the underworld. Despairing in the knowledge she may never return, as it is the last task Aphrodite has given her, which is death. She has voluntarily given up hope in achieving her goal of relationship. She must let go, as she can do nothing else, but submit to the will of the divine, the great goddess of love Aphrodite. Persephone goes empty handed into the unknown.
This is The Heroine's Journey.

The descent to the underworld or the unconscious, is a time when everything is about to change whether we know it or not.

We don't like the change and want to refuse or deny the changes, being fearful, insecure, and perhaps feeling a sense of obligation, or any range of reasons why we cannot let go of our current circumstances.

Once circumstances are accepted, suddenly help or spiritual guidance appears and is then provided.

 Finally crossing the first threshold to the new adventure, filled with unknown dangers, limits and rules, it is at this time there is an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, and this the lowest point in the journey, despairing as there is no one to help us.

 It is like being in the belly of the whale, separated from ourselves and the world as we know it. But it is now where we begin to embark on the metamorphosis, dying to the old self, and are transforming into the new self, with a willingness to transform.

At this point, there are an initiation of sorts including many tests, trials and ordeals to undergo, in order for the transformation to begin.

After facing these challenges, we can return transformed, experienced, with a deeper understanding of unconditional love, the balance between the material and spiritual world, comfortable and competent with the inner and outer world. Being unified within ourselves, we need to integrate the wisdom imparted to us through our journey, and figure out how to share our experience strength and hope with others.

The mastery that is achieved from this journey leads to freedom of death, and in turn, gives us the freedom to live.

Six of Cups - Experience, Strength and Hope

Most of us have heard our parents, grandparents or others nostalgically share stories about the past, and what it was like back in the day. We can learn a lot from these stories. Now I find myself at the an age where I reminisce, am nostalgic about the past, and I like to share my own stories. This is human nature of course to go back in time, in our mind.

Having and making memories is a beautiful thing, especially when these are shared with others. They bond us, and are the glue that can cement our relationships, reflecting our identity back to us. Of course there are always positive memories, along with the negative. Regardless of what kind of memories, if I can accept and embrace them, I can process them and turn my memories into a learning experience, becoming a stronger individual. I can then help another by sharing my own experience, strength and hope.

It isn't good for our psyche regretting or stuck in a time warp with you 80s hair, or wishing our lives away for the old days. We can't be fixating and starring  at the past, however we can't close the door on it either, pretending it never happened.

Here in the Six of Cups Psyche finds herself emotionally abandoned, mysteriously by her husband Eros. Despite her loss, she has learned something about herself, and has come to terms with what has taken place. She no longer has regrets or remorse about her unrealistic expectations, unreal dreams, and  her great disappointments concerning her lost love Eros.

Psyche has come to this place of serenity within herself. Now she can move forward, building upon future goals. Her past has been tempered, and strengthened, into an emerging promise, that is achievable. The past leads to a future dream that is still possible.

The Spirit of Solstice - Sun Stands Still - Hope Is Renewed

The Eight of Cups very much corresponds with my thoughts today about letting go. Psyche, as she descends into the underworld, all hope seems lost, and even abandoned. There is nothing more left, for her to do, but to let go of the past, and of the future. Letting go for me is about turning things over to the God of my understanding. Letting go is rather like releasing a balloon. Once we let it go, it begins to float, you don't grab hold of the long string attached, and take it back again, when you let it go, it is gone.

 As I was saying to a friend today, it is easy to let go, when things are all going accordingly. I compare it to loving those who are easy to love. There is no virtue in that, those who are miserably unkind, and cruel do this. Loving the unlovable, or embracing difficulties, and burdens is how I learn those important life lessons.

On the shortest day of the year, The Winter Solstice's literal meaning of the word, is "Sun stands still". Today is the perfect time to reflect on the past year, and look to the renewed hope for the coming year and the future.

 The shortest day of the year gives way to the celebration of rebirth, and longer days to come, as the sun will shine brighter through to the Summer Solstice on June 21st, the longest day of the year. This day has special meaning to me because it was the day I married my soul mate. Though Bill left this mortal coil over 34 years ago, I still miss him deeply, especially at Christmas. He was the kindest soul I've ever known, and as the sun stands still today,  I will carry him close, in the small of my heart, as I always do.

Three of Cups - Early Joy

The three water nymphs, or ondines rise from the waters, and are each holding up a golden cup toasting in celebration of the marriage between Eros and Psyche.
Psyche holds white lilies, symbolic of innocence, hope, transitioning, becoming, chastity, purity, among other meanings.

I love this short explanation of the Three of Cups as being ' early joy.' I think we are all familiar the flush, the rush and romance of a new love, or the excitement and perhaps trepidation of a new job. I compare it to starting a new art project, finding a blank canvas in front of you. It all looks so perfect, and a little daunting too, because you don't know what the out come is going to be, but are hopeful and excited with anticipation.

We can approach our new circumstance with hope and optimism or with fear and reluctance. But without risk, and hope we may never know what the gain will be. It is wise to approach new experiences with our eyes open, and not fall into a a blind naivety, as we can set ourselves up for disappointment or failure, with unrealistic expectations.

 Early joy is a wonderful feeling, like when we start a new exercise, a hobby, or when we begin a quest. This heady feeling, when the endorphins kick in, can be addictive. What really needs to be remembered, realized, and understood, is that this feeling of enchantment will not always last.

 There needs to be serious consideration for the effort, time and work, necessary to create, transform and actualize this new found passion into becoming something constant, and sustainable and real in the future.

Joy is the best make up - Anne Lamott

Seven of Cups - Reality and Fantasy

The Seven of Cups speaks of an emotional situation with the potential of a positive outcome. This is a card of fantasy and reality.

Here Psyche is confronted by Aphrodite, who points to the seven golden cups in the air, which symbolize 'castles in the air'. Psyche fantasizes about the future, which cannot be realized without the acceptance of the reality of hard work and sacrifice.


I think there was a show on television once, called "Reality Bites." It does much of the time. Sometimes we are faced with situations were we become painfully aware that we can't go on in denial or fantasy. It is a difficult decision we are sometimes faced with in our day to day lives, and this can result in a very heavy heart, because it may appear we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't.We can feel like we are between a rock and a hard place, because of the limitations that reality offers, in spite of our hope for a better future circumstance.

It is essential that we carefully consider our decisions, however we must make decisions. Whatever the outcome, we will have to accept, but it is necessary that we decide in order to move forward.
We will always face difficult choices in our lives, and like Psyche we must learn to have patience, faith and perseverance in order to have the strength to make our choices based on reality, not fantasy. 

Seven of Cups - Discernment

 

 Psyche petitions Aphrodite with prayer, for help in matters of love. Aphrodite concedes, and guarantees   being there to help her, but not without making certain demands, and confronts Psyche, who will have to work hard in order to reunite with Eros.

Though Psyche has been given the green light, her fantasy and dreams will not enable this reality. Only with time, dedication to the tasks at hand, and being able to actualize what she desires, is the only way her goals will be realized, and this requires the risk of being humiliated and hurt.

Love always carries risk, and the possibility of getting our hearts broken. We choose what we want to do, and we cannot foresee the future, and there are no guarantees when it comes to love or life.
 In order to make careful decisions, discernment and having a willingness to commit to the work needed to be done, is what will enable us to move forward.

 I don't think love should have to be so difficult. But then again life is difficult, it can be humiliating, and full of suffering, but if we utilize what ever tools we have at our disposal, we are more prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. There will always be challenges, and obstacles to overcome, that never changes.

 Love can be scary, and we have to discern whether it is worth the effort or risk, depending on what or whom we think we love and we must be ready for love with much forethought, having an open and balanced heart. We need to make the connections with what we value and hold dear.

I've heard it said that the longest path is the one between the head and heart. Patience, faith, and perseverance will be our light to illuminate our way.

 

Queen of Cups - Intuition

The first and favourite book I read as a child, was Lewis Carroll's, Alice In Wonderland.
Yesterday with two of my favourite little friends I watched Tim Burton's 2010 film, that depicts Alice as an adult. It was very well done, and once again I was enchanted by the story.

 In the Lewis Carroll book, one of the most vivid characters I remember that I was disturbed by and fascinated with, was the Red Queen of Hearts. Her personality was mean, cruel, audacious and ridiculous. She was a nasty piece of work; full of resentment, jealousy, a megalomaniac and really has a predatory  nature. The mean Red Queen is like a  " natural predator of the psyche. "

There is a quote from the Red Queen when she said. " It is better to be feared than loved.” She was the exact opposite of the Queen of Cups of the Tarot, who is benevolent, intuitive and loving.  Her depth of feeling and imagination  is really unparallelled in many ways, to any other card, in that she drinks deeply from the cup of life, relying on her emotion before her intellect. Her emotion and sexuality are intense having water and the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, being the major influence. The Queen of Cups follows her gut instincts and intuition and her imagination is vivid, resulting in the expression of her strong creative spirit.

Bluebeard - Egg Tempera on Wood Panel - 12"x12", Catherine Meyers, 2011

Eight of Cups - Hope

When the Eight of Cups is drawn, I immediately feel a sense of trouble and  evoking feelings of despair and disappointment. But immediately after, I have thoughts of hope.

In fact it is a card of some resignation, and I think of the saying, no one's getting out of here alive! The Eight of Cups is a card of letting go. So many cards in the Tarot are about just that, letting go, which is a good thing, because much of life, if not all of it, is about letting go of the people, places and things we cannot control. It sure isn't an easy lesson to learn, because life has an ongoing succession of things we are having to let go of; loved one's, our youth, beauty, homes, children, life and the list goes on and on.
  Life is transitory, always changing and we are either moving ahead or backwards we never stay the same. I say it's all about our attitude toward our personal struggles and obstacles.

In the Eight of Cups we see Psyche who has a final task that Aphrodite has requested of her. Psyche leaves the eight golden cups behind,  and voluntarily gives up hope for the future, and descends the staircase to the underworld, knowing she will not return from this desolate and desperate place.

 If and when we find ourselves in this kind of circumstance, we can choose to try to manipulate the future, trying to "make a deal", bargaining our way through , we plead,  we may even bully, in a desperate attempt to hold on and change the situation and the " will of the divine, " or we can choose to let go and choose hope.

We can't not control life, but we can control is ourselves. Once we let go within ourselves, we will find hope.