Ten of Cups

I spent Christmas with some very dear, and close friends yesterday. I consider them to be very much like family. My good friend Lois, is like the sister I've never had. It was truly a beautiful day, and I was very grateful. After Christmas dinner, my friend and I were in the kitchen, having a heart to heart talk. She said she worried about me, when I spend Christmas by myself. I told her not to worry about me. They go away every other Christmas, and so I don't spend it with them as I usually do, as they travel to the States for Christmas.

This got me to thinking, as I drew the Ten of Cups this morning, a card that represents "ongoing contentment and permanence in the realm of the heart ", when I then happened across this very wise, fitting, comforting, and truthful quote.

I have spent a good portion of my life in my own company alone, and so I've learned to get comfortable in the my own skin. I wasn't always comfortable with being alone, but once I sobered up, it became much easier and I actually value living alone. 
I really strive to be my own best friend, and to learn how to be alone, whether in a relationship with another or not.

 I heard on CBC radio this morning, an item about people experiencing loneliness, particularly the elderly, and how they do not have as long of a life expectancy, as others, if they have few social connections. I believe this to be true. Thankfully today, many elderly folks can socially interact through Skype and other online services, but many are still ignored, and neglected especially during the holidays. As the old adage often seems to hold true, ' Out of site out of mind '.

The radio program late last night, featured a 94 year old woman, who over the past eight years, had been using the internet. She Skyped with her friends and family. She stated how much it had changed her life. She'd grown up in South Africa as an orphan, were she was never shown any signs of affection. It was a very touching story she had to tell, one of hope, and a woman's inner soul strength. 

A few nights ago I was re-reading, as I often do, my most cherished book, Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I was reading about the definition of the word alone, and the story of the Sea Maiden, or Seal Skin, Soul Skin, which is about ' Returning to Oneself. '

Originally the meaning of alone, consisted of two words , all one, which meant to be wholly one, which is related to intentional solitude. In ancient days solitude or the all one state once was palliative, preventative, and a way of listening to the inner self, and used as an oracle, a way to call up the soul, take a personal inventory and assessment our lives. Doing this I believe this is the way we draw our soul strength.

Seal Skin, Soul Skin - Catherine Meyers

Carl Jung said, " It would be far better simply to admit our spiritual poverty....When spirit becomes heavy, it turns to water....Therefore the way of the soul...leads to water. " The return to home and the intervals of conversing with the seal from the rock in the sea are our acts of innate and integral ecology, for they all are a return to the water, a meeting with the wild friend, the one who above all others loves us unremittingly, unguardedly, and with profound endurance. We need only look into and learn from those soulful eyes that are " wild and wise and loving. "  - Women Who Run With The Wolves, Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Winter Wolf

Ten of Cups - Happiness

The suit of Cups represents feelings and the emotions. Out of all the cards in the Minor Arcana, The Ten of Cups is one of my favourites, as it is a card  of happiness, ongoing peaceful and permanent contentment in a united family, and within the realm of the heart.

Statistically the data is not so positive, reflected in our society, regarding relationships. The majority of folks are single. The divorce rates are very high, and chances of divorce, apparently become even greater, the more times we marry. It is easy to feel somewhat cynical, pessimistic and even jaded about relationships within the existing state of affairs between the sexes.

If the facts are correct, those who are married are supposedly happier than single folk. I then ask, if this is the case, why then are there not more people married?
I digress, but that said, it does not mean we can not achieve a very happy harmonious state, we definitely can, but not without work on ourselves and within our relationships.

Happiness is an inside job. No person, place, or thing makes us happy. We are responsible for our own happiness. Happiness is directly dependent on a daily practice and proportionate to being grateful, and having an attitude of gratitude, choosing to not allow the ego to get in the way. Happiness is a choice.

The Ten of Cups points specifically to a spiritual foundation, and connectedness with the Divine. The couple portrayed in the card has that divine foundation, which includes the God of their own understanding. Upon this firm foundation, they have built a deep love, giving their relationship a sustained, continued contentment, and permanence. The couple are winged, as angels, and like angels, are spiritual beings having a human experience.

 It has been said, that when we open our hearts to another, we can see the reflection of God. We pass through many tests, tribulations, trials and difficulties; life is always full of them. Honesty, humility, and acceptance, can connect us to our own souls and then, deeply to another. 

A very holy man once said, when two individuals choose to love one another, they become like two whole intersected circles, or both join one another, within one circle. This circle should expand to be inclusive and outreaching to others. The circle should not decrease, or become smaller, but should increase in size to include others in our lives, as a reflection and example of God's love.

Gretchen Rubin has a great site,  The Happiness Project that I love. I have posted one of her videos below.