Seven of Cups
Seven of Cups
The Seven of Cups depicts an individual faced with the mysterious appearance of strange images from cups in a floating cloud. Though the character's back is toward us, we can see from the half-raised arm-gesture that the apparitions before him are something of a surprise. The various "prizes" appearing from the cups are a mixture of positive and negative visions. Jewels, a snake, a laurel-wreath, a dragon, towers, a shrouded person and a woman's head. The character faced with these specters is taken aback by their confusing nature.The correspondence for this card is Venus in Scorpio. On the tree of life, this card is Victory and Venus.
This card indicates that we are faced with a time of decision, that the images in our minds must be dealt with not only in our dreams but in the world of reality. The character in the Seven of Cups is a dreamer who is able to see beauty and excitement as well as fearful trials and difficulties in the future. If we are constantly caught up in our own dreams, fantasies, and/or fears, we will never be able to move forward and make those dreams a reality or overcome those fears.This card indicates that though dreaming is beautiful and provides inspiration for action, we must at some point abandon our "castles in the sky" and begin to build those castles in our real life. A choice must be made even though the apparent multiplicity of options seems to paralyse us with either fear or excessive anticipation. If you are unable to make a decision because of too many options, it may be time to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each option and make a thoughtful choice. Castles in the sky are a home for no one, but dreams made real are the fulfillment and expression of our inner creative energy.
The Seven of Cups speaks of letting go. Letting go of a former relationship, workplace, project. When the seven of Cups appears, it is important to look carefully at how disordered your situation sometimes has become. It may have turned in a chaotic situation where some tightening may be necessary. It is easy to wish for something, but not so easy to make that wish come true. A choice, and a sacrifice will have to be made. Tighten up your life and commit yourself to doing what it takes to reach your goals .. even if it means the offering of life, of mind and limb.
Notice the death's-head on the cup with the laurel-wreath! The soul sees that this implicit offering is crowned with laurels. Let the boundaries of your own humanity not hold you back today.
The Seven of Cups says, "Yes, order and hard work are nice, but ... isn't it more fun to just let everything go?" Letting everything go is what the Seven of Cups is all about. It is easy to worship the gods of efficiency and neatness. We like trim lawns, alphabetized filing systems and time management - the world of the Emperor. We admire order in all its forms and want everything to be just right. The seven of Cups provides the balance.
This card stands for all that is sloppy, impractical and lax. When the seven of Cups appears in a reading, it is important to look carefully at how disordered your situation is. Is everything too controlled and regular? Perhaps you need to let things fall apart a little. When a rigid system breaks up, there can be a tremendous release of creativity. The man on the Seven of Cups is amazed by the many options he has.
On the other hand, if you are in a chaotic situation, some tightening may be necessary. No-one is happy and productive in a crazy environment. Regularity gives structure to life. Taken to an extreme, the looseness of the Seven of Cups can lead to harmful patterns of decadence, self-indulgence and addiction. Sometimes the laziness applies to your thoughts and dreams. It is easy to wish for something, but not so easy to make that wish come true.
When you see this card, make sure that you are backing up your plans with work and effort. Tighten up your life and commit yourself to doing what it takes to reach your goals .. even if it means (sigh) cleaning house.
Illusion. You need to separate what is real from what is illusion. Protect against unclear or wishful Thinking. Learn the power of your sleeping and waking dreams. Avoid intoxication and escapism. Do not decide until you are sure.
Imagination Working overtime, inability to choose direction in life. Selfish indulgence in dreams instead of action. Illusory success habitual day dreaming.
Many directions available - make priorities clear. Over indulgence, illusions, moods, negativity, "You get what you think of", imagination. Misuse of talent. Choices. A decision has to be made, lots of options to choose from. Make decision careful, all is not what it seems to be. Doorways of opportunity use intuition to know which one to go through. Pipe Dreams.
Seven of cups is a wish card. Each of the cups are filled with wishes such as wealth, beauty, Peace, and a nice home (castle). You can also see that there is a cup with a snake and a cup with a demon. Showing that wishes can go a rye. Many people may consider this card a good omen. This in reality can be a mixed blessing; be careful for what you wish for you may just get it, and with a price. As you can see that the cup standing for peace (olive branch) there is a skull. There may be peace but at what or whose cost?
The seven is more of a "pie-in-the-sky" type dreamers card. Sometimes, people "dream" things they don't want into reality. Hence, the "bad" things coming out of the cup. Take, for instance, (this is a true story, by the way) the guy who had a nice Cadillac with chrome wheels and leather interior. For some odd reason, all he was concerned about was somebody stealing his radio antenna!! One day, sure enough, someone stole his antenna!! He manifested his reality (that someone wanted his radio antenna enough to steal it). That's one aspect of this card. Guard your thoughts well.
Another thing to remember is that sevens always indicate change of some sort, and cups symbolize the emotions, so look for the change to affect you emotionally. Concentrate on positive change. The change you hold in your thoughts is the one that will manifest, for good or ill.
Good use of determination and will. A definite project will be selected.This card could indicate an unwillingness to deal with the day-to-day reality of life, a caution to get your head out of the clouds.
Address your invocation to Lord Neptune who governs the oceans of our mystical imaginings. Repeat, "Help me to see with my third eye of intuition and lift the veil which create all illusion. Help me decipher the real from the unreal. And guide my heart to truly feel." Splash your face with cold water.