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Hm. Much wistful discontent showing here... But, let's try to read the rest of the story, shall we, bunnies? What will happen if the young man takes the proffered cup? What will change for him? Will it contain the essence he's been seeking? Will it resolve his current dilemma? Will he finally be happy? Or will this heavenly cup just reveal itself to be yet another false elixir, promising everything, but ultimately changing nothing? This seems the most reliable scenario, yes? After all, he's been through three cups already, and none have brought him joy; it's not likely that this one will actually be the one true grail that will rock his world. is it?

So, this appears to be a rather unpromising card, then, doesn't it?

But let's have another look at this fine feller - he's young, handsome, healthy. He's outside on a bright, beautiful day, the tree behind him offering support and shade, the cups before him indicating that he has very few, if any, material needs. In fact, he is in an enviable position; the joy he seeks is everywhere around him... but he just doesn't notice. He is so focused on what he believes he needs and wants, that he is blind to all he has... and a thousand cups will never slake that yearning.

So, this is a cautionary card, but also an encouraging one; it is telling you that there is beauty, comfort, support, physical and material good fortune, and such amazing promise for fulfillment in your life - but it is not that thing you are daydreaming about and yearning for that is going to cash in that promise. Whatever further good luck befalls you (and much more probably will - this is not a card of ill fortune), your heart's desire will not be soothed by it... every answered wish will only spawn further unfulfilled dreams, because, in truth, you don't understand the real nature of your yearning. Until you are able to look outward instead of only inward, until you can recognize and cherish the gifts you already possess, the satisfaction you seek will remain an elusive, ever-changing chimera. This card is telling you that what you really want, you probably already have, in some form, or that it may easily be gained by means already at hand. So, open those eyes and look around you! Your true grail is so very, very close.

Your keywords: Awareness, False dreams, Potential, Unrecognized assets

Nifty interpretation, taz. I think he's meditating and reaping the rewards of his focus and resolve. Now I have to see what Waite says and compare all our thoughts when I get home.

This is another card I've pulled often. Maybe it's sticky ;-)

By the way, all I ever really do on my own is pull one card and ponder what it means to me, what intuitions and feelings it provokes, then check what Waite says.

Hm. The struggle I have with this idea is this: That it feels as though I'm already adept at counting the daily blessings. I'm sensible of every good thing, every source of power, every means of happiness, every freedom from discomfort that I can notice and know of. And yet, there really is still something more to seek, particularly (for me right now) in human connection.

This is something that has bothered me about every self-help book and women's magazine article of the last 30 years --the suggestion that as long as you build a strong sense of self, have confidence and self-esteem, pursue your dreams and treat yourself well, then it doesn't matter who's in your life because you'll be a happy, fully-formed, well-adjusted individual anyway. I just think this is false; certainly we need to be all those things, but a human being is simply not fully realized unless s/he is closely connected with other people. If it were me under the tree, that connection is what I'd hope the cup would hold. And though the boy's surroundings are full of wonderful things which he can cherish, they still cannot function as replacements for the thing he actually lacks.

Oh well. I'm thinking too hard about it and maybe missing the message of the card. Maybe it's just what the Rolling Fossils said: You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you'll find you get what you need.

all I ever really do on my own is pull one card and ponder what it means to me

This is really the best use, and what I do, as well - which is why it feels weird to post an interpretation of my own, and why I was so inclined to just go with a published source instead.

But since it's all completely subjective, there are many possibilities. I think it's great for anyone to present their own reading here as an alternative to what I post (definitely encouraged!).

He needs to let the cup fall, and take the hand.

This is not so good for me today - job interview. I think I'm going to assume that this card is directed at everyone else and not me. Also, if I don't get the job because of that wacked out floating hand? I'm gonna hunt him down and serve up some finger fricassee.

Finger fricassee! I love you, mygoth. Good luck on the interview!

knock em dead, mygoth!

cups is more like it--i'm ok with it. : >

This interpretation definitely doesn't suggest bad luck! In fact, if anything, it means that it's very likely that you will get the job, mygoth!

It's just that - according to this interpretation - it won't necessarily be the significant resolution to everything you might have hoped it could be. But it will still be good.

He needs to let the cup fall, and take the hand.
posted by miko 07 February | 09:50

Brilliant!

miko, I recently read a book called "Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart." It's written by an American psychiatrist who got interested in Eastern religion/meditation, and the book explores whether these ideas of "healthy ego" we have in the West -- exactly what you're talking about, with the emphasis on self above everything and on propping up the ego to keep us whole -- actually just serve to keep us lonely and disconnected. As opposed to some of the ideas coming out of Buddhism, about staying more open and fluid with regards to your sense of self (and others) and more "fractured" in some ways so that you're not always creating walls.

I'm not explaining it well, but it's a wonderful book written by someone who actually *knows* Western psych models before he starts criticizing them. And not self-help, more just an accessible psych book.

It's just that - according to this interpretation - it won't necessarily be the significant resolution to everything you might have hoped it could be. But it will still be good.

The story of my life--most people's i think,no?

I don't like this card.

occhiblu: it's great to hear about that book. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time -- that this cult of the individual that's so important to our culture is kind of a big lie.

It's only through other people (beings?) that life becomes at all meaningful.

To clarify, Epstein (the author) and Buddhism's claim isn't that other people make life meaningful, but that a certain kind of empty openness to other people (and the universe in general) does. If that makes any sense...

In any event, read the book. It's a great criticism of Western psych and a great intro to some Buddhist ideas.

I will probably read it, though I am not a good candidate for Buddhism. I'll enjoy it anyway.

I promise the book will not try to convert you :-)