The Horseshoe

One of the happiest cards in the deck of tarot, with the Ten of Cups we have arrived at a moment of deep emotional fulfillment and joy. A family of dolphins leaps gracefully over the stacked cups against a golden sky signifying harmony and joy in relationships, particularly those with loved ones and family members. Dolphins are symbolic of community as well as transcendence. Happiness lies through our stable relationships, no matter with whom they may be. When this card appears in a spread, it means we’ll experience a level of emotional security and well-being.

Conversely, an ill-dignified version of this card may reflect that our dreams of emotional happiness, though trying to manifest, are blocked in some way. Look for delays or unexpected confrontations.

Head bent in contemplation, a woman holds one empty cup while two others have fallen to her side. There is an air of heartbreak, sadness, and regret. Because we are in the suit of cups, the sadness is often associated with the pain of lost love. This moment of change that is inherent in fives underscores the need to let go of something. However, the two cups that are standing and the manner in which she holds her hand to her chest can signify the hope of new possibilities. Once we have accepted our situation and processed our emotions, we can experience healing and renewal.

The hope as represented in the two standing cups is augmented when the entire card is read as a reversal. Renewal and recovery are now underway; we are no longer focused exclusively on regret and remorse.

The Nine of Cups signifies that moment when we say “Yes!” to the Universe and the Universe says “Yes!” back to us. Now that we have managed to achieve our dreams of love and emotional fulfillment, we can become expansive and generous towards others. We are emotionally self-reliant. We have enough of what we need, so much so that we are happy to share with others. The warm and convivial expression on the man in the Nine of Cups as he toasts to all things good is a hallmark of the energy of the Nine of Cups. It is a reward from the universe for having stayed the course. This card may also indicate an ambition to follow one’s heart’s desire.

The reversal can be read as unfulfilled dreams, a relationship or situation that is not emotionally satisfying, or a situation where we doubt our own feelings.

Victory is ours, so we must believe it. We’ve earned it. We fought hard and much has suffered as we have achieved our balance. Allow the accolades and praise to wash over us and receive it all with humility.

Falling in to the trap of our ego can lead to surprises that won’t let us off very easily and possible even drag us back several steps.

Knights go on quests and cups take us into the watery world of emotion and intuition. Appropriately the astrological correspondence is dreamy, intuitive Pisces. The Knight of Cups is the quintessential ‘knight in shining armor’; he can woo us and excite us with his flowery promises of romantic passion. This card can signify a period of transition or the advent of something emotionally significant in the life of the querent. The Knight of Cups is a good indicator that new possibilities with regard to personal relationships, love, or marriage are on the horizon.

When ill-dignified, the Knight of Cups can indicate someone who is living in a dream world and who is unable to make good on his romantic proposal. He is heedless of the emotions of others and, once having made his romantic conquest, moves on.

Though his posture is casual, there is no doubt that the King of Cups owns the throne of passion and imagination. He reads others so well they may wonder if he is psychic and, in many cases, where the King of Cups is concerned, that is exactly the case. Though he is inclined to be a dreamer who believes in the good of humanity, as the king he may be a little remote. He serves well as an advisor or spiritual mentor. Seahorses adorn his throne and in the animal kingdom male seahorses are known for their unusual role in gestating and bearing the young, further enhancing the nurturing aspect of this king.

Ill-dignified, the king may place his own feelings above those of others. As with all tarot cups courtiers, he may be ‘lost in his cups’ through drug or alcohol dependency. He may be emotionally unstable or clingy and manipulative.

A choice, in the form of two boxes, is floating before us, and there is just ONE key. Does it fit both boxes or just one? We must trust our intuition on the decision. We also should prepare ourselves for a wonderful transformation. Be brave and unlock a box. By our direct nature in making a decision we will receive that thing we have longed for, hoped for and wished for.

Making a selfish decision to keep both boxes even though they are locked may just hold us in limbo for an unidentified length of time preventing our hard work from paying off.