Three of Cups - Rite of Passage

 
Oh Three of Cups, how I love you and how I hate you. I say this because I am reminded by this card of the first flush of love, of the happiness and joy of committed love and the loss of love. Simultaneously I think of it as being party time, a celebration is eminent, and a moving toward retirement. I never imagined looking forward to being 65, but the fact is, I am in four more years. I will have a somewhat improved standard of living, and now I've finally come to the end after 20 years, my mortgage will be paid off in a few months. This will give me the feelings of fulfillment and completion, much like the way one feels when you fall in love. But the Three of Cups is a card of transition or rite of passage, with further developments to come, as the journey is not finished, and there is still hard work ahead.

Having spent most of my life single, becoming a young newly wed widow at 27 years of age, and then was divorced  six years later, escaping an abusive husband. Honestly, I would be lying if I said I am glad to be single, but at the same time I can't say I am unhappy with my single life. There are many worse things in life than being single. Being married or coupled with someone you are not in love with, is the worst kind of loneliness and unhappiness. As well my identity is not defined by a married or single status, by my age, colour, race or creed.

According to the Mythic Tarot deck, the Three of Cups indicates that I am at the beginnings of initiation into deeper levels of the heart experience, heralding further explorations in the future, as the Three of Cups divinatory meaning suggests. Well that's good news, and I feel this in my bones.

 We never know what the future holds, but what is important to me is having hope about emotional fulfillment and promise regardless of my past losses in life and love. Finding contentment in whatever life circumstance, is vital to my happiness, and peace of mind.

The Handless Maiden- Egg Tempera on Wood Panel, 12"x 12" 2012, Catherine Meyers

Nine of Pentacles - Self-Value

I attended what is affectionately called, by a group of old childhood women friends, WW or Women's Weekend, on the July 4th, 5th, and 6th. These weekends are always memorable, for many reasons. It's a wonderful thing to come together, as a group of women, to celebrate enduring  friendships and bonds.


 These weekends we have continued for many years now, and always reinforce our friendship, and our lives.  It is a time to affirm our appreciation of ourselves and for each other as friends, and as women. These gatherings fulfill the basic need for belonging, power, freedom and fun, with much emphasis on fun!.
We value our similarities and our differences. We accept, respect, and value one another's identity. It's a great feeling and realization to be with women who have reached the point in life, where we all have come through many trials and tribulations, come out the other side, achieved many of our dreams in spite of difficulties, and been able to overcome and strengthen our individual identities.

One of my friends asked if I would do a reading for her, which a happily agreed to, and it was a very affirming reading. The cards and how they reveal themselves, always amaze and fascinate me, with every reading I do.

What I love and appreciate most about the Nine of Pentacles, like no other card, it embodies a satisfaction that comes from finding a great sense of self-value and worth, regardless if material possessions and wealth are gone, as this is not what really defines a person. This satisfaction has a permanence and indestructibility, because it comes from deep within ourselves, and it is independent of anything, or any one outside of the self. Having a strong sense of identity, self-sufficiency, confidence and belief in one's abilities, all contribute to our happiness and success.

It really is essential to be good friends, if not best friends with yourself, and although we all have people that have contributed to our sense of self-value and worth, we can feel good about what we have achieved, and overcome. Be grateful, celebrate and share your talent, wisdom, knowledge and the understanding that you have gained.

Nine of Pentacles - Surviving and Thriving

The cards amaze me, in that, when a card or cards are drawn, they always have a message, leaving me with a sense of wonder, and mystery. Some cards have a stronger, clearer message than others. Nonetheless, they always have a message giving clarity. This morning was no different, when I drew the Nine of Pentacles. It's a timely card.

Wisdom, talent, and knowledge are at the forefront, but alas no love life. Yup that would be me. Wealth is to follow. Really? No more dust sandwiches? Well that certainly would be a relief, but my fear of financial insecurity, I don't see this going to be ending any time soon, but time has a way of flying by, and the good news is, it won't be a long time coming.

 However, wealth is not always about financial gain. It is better to prefer and value wisdom, knowledge, talent, and the personal satisfaction that comes with these attributes; even and especially if obtained through many tribulations and troubles.

 Self-sufficiency and accomplishment come from within oneself, and finding the self-value, embodied in permanence and indestructibility, which is the meaning only reflected, and found in the Nine of Pentacles from the Minor Arcana. It is a card of survival, meeting all of life's challenges and going on to thrive.

There is strong sense of one's own identity here, and knowing what you are made of, understanding the worth of one's life, but it is not a inflated opinion.. This perception of self, is not dependent the validation of others but comes from within the soul, from finding your inner beauty.