Where Wands symbolize the element of Fire, Cups represent Water: receptivity, love, and the inner being are the province of this suit. In the Ace we see the culmination of these things: a hand appears from a cloud holding a Cup -a grail - from which multiple streams of water run into a beautiful pool. This flowing water will never run out: it is infinite, as love is.
In the Eight of Cups image, there is a sense of deep sadness but also resolve; we see a figure walking away from a collection of Cups that remain upright and unspilled. The stick that the figure uses and his cloak suggests a long journey ahead: we intuit that he is not planning to return.
Justice is the card of ultimate karma, with her open gaze, set of scales, and a double-edged sword: we receive exactly what we deserve. Make note that, unlike other traditional depictions of Justice, here the figure wears no blindfold. This points to the core elements of the card: truth, honesty, and clear-sightedness. We must fully recognize the past events that have led to our present situation in order to understand and move beyond it. When Justice appears in a reading it should always be given special attention. Look her fully in the eye, and listen carefully to the message she has for you.
Here, we discern a long-held symbol of earthly power: a white-haired man, stern, wearing armor beneath his regal garments, and seated on a stone throne. Note the scepter The Emperor holds, bearing the universal sigil of the male sex, and compare this to The Empress’ totem of femininity, which is carved onto a heart-shaped stone and rests against her dais. His throne bears the images of four rams’ heads, linking The Emperor to the sign Aries, which is ruled by Mars, the God of War. The Emporer is power and strength. The extent to which these can be used for good or ill depends entirely on the personality that directs them.
The Chariot card shows a commanding, triumphant figure who rides in a carriage being pulled by a pair of sphinxes. This is a powerful card of victory: a victory that has been achieved not by chance, but through sheer force of will and the utmost exercising of control. Note that the charioteer holds no reins, but can direct his carriage where he wishes it to go through his own focus and conscious intention. When The Chariot appears in a spread, it bears an important message about how we can incorporate these elements into our lives.
In the Six of Cups, we see the image of a figure giving a gift of a Cup, overflowing with life, to a child. The two people pictured are in the garden of a cottage, and the scene resonates with a sense of domestic comfort and security.
