Day 3: Ten of Cups (rev), Nine of Cups (rev), Eight of Cups (rev)

I thought I shuffled. But since I’m not following the rules, why should the cards either? We’re getting to know each other.

Since today’s cards are all Cups, I wanted to learn about this suit overall. It’s deeply connected to empathy, intuition, and creative arts. Those all feel like big topics on my mind lately.

Ten of Cups (reversed)

Traditionally, this card symbolizes relationships with others, both romantic and friendship. Because it’s reversed, it could be a warning that I am neglecting relationships right now. I’m highly aware that I have to say no to a lot of plans because I’m choosing to spend that time to complete my manuscript. However, the reminder helps me prioritize calling my parents, so they feel cared for.

The reversed card could also mean it’s time to re-evaluate relationships that are taking energy instead of giving. I am continuing to think about which people in my life respect my boundaries and which do not. Even though the people who push boundaries may not mean harm, it is still my life and time to spend. It takes energy to hold boundaries when people push. Therefore, people who can’t take “no” for an answer are actively getting in the way of my goals. I can wish them well, but choose not to engage with them at all. This would be in service of myself.

Nine of Cups (reversed)

This card represents emotional fulfillment from all of our dreams coming true. So… it was scary to read about what the reversal meant! But it made a lot of sense: it can mean that I am not achieving my dreams and goals as fast as I would like to. This resonates. I feel so impatient right now because I feel like I can picture the whole thing, but there’s still so much work to do to make it real.

However, when I let go of straining towards that end point, I lose myself in the rhythm and flow of the writing itself. This is the true reward for me. With every page I write, every personal discovery I make, I grow into myself. The goal, ultimately, was a way to get me moving, but the work itself is already the dream. I’m so so lucky to get to do it. This pull reminds me not to rush myself so much that I shortcut the true value.

Eight of Cups (reversed)

This card represents disappointment, which pushes people to grow and change. Reversed, it can mean that I’m putting off making a big decision or dealing with an internal conflict.

At this time, I think this card is about how excited I get about new ideas. I start new projects very easily, pour a ton of energy into inventing new things, and then move on to other ideas just the things I was doing start to gel. This can squander my talent and energy because I’m scattering a lot of seeds, but not seeing a lot of things through. I need this reminder a lot to catch myself (I mean… case in point, I’m talking about completing a manuscript and here I am writing a daily post about a new interest in Tarot).

There’s a really cool progression in these cards because they count down in order. This matches my focus on working hard towards a big deadline, and I take that to mean that these are 3 things to be aware of as I work:

1. Relationships with others (nurture the ones that nurture me, let go of the ones that take from me)
2. Trust the work, do the work
3. Watch out for new ideas that distract me (oops)