THE FIVE OF CUPS
“The Lord of Pleasure Lost”
Mars in Scorpio
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
Against an empty grey sky, a dejected figure wearing a long black robe stands alone on a barren shore. His pleasure is lost and he has been overtaken by disappointment as he hangs his head in sorrow over the three cups before him which have overturned and spilled their contents onto the lifeless ground. Two unfilled cups still stand to his rear but he is so lost in sorrow that for the moment he chooses to ignore them. A swift running blue stream flows beneath a bridge that leads to a castle situated atop a small hill that is comfortably nestled among some trees and greenery.
ASTROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
The emotional waters of Scorpio turn dark under the cruel influence of Mars whose unrelenting nature makes them burn with the black agony of despair. But even as the energies of inner conflict and disruption begin to decay our emotional stability and leave us reeling like one stung by a scorpion, we may still turn and refill our cups in the clear running waters so as to cleanse and revitalize our heart and restore our confidence and vitality so we may once again cross over the bridge and return to the peace of our home and its many pleasures.
ORACLES
When Appearing Upright in a Reading
Poisoned pleasures, emotional setbacks and disappointments have undercut your life. Pain and sorrow have enveloped your heart and you are feeling more and more isolated and alone. You must accept your emotional loss and look to the future with renewed hope and determination.
When Appearing Reversed in a Reading
Hope will return to your life. You will summon the courage to overcome your difficulties. Change will come. Delays, obstacles and setbacks will melt away. There will a return to pleasure and enjoyment as a new love may be on the horizon. Maintain a positive outlook and all will go well.
THE TREE OF LIFE
“The Sphere of Severity”
When our own pursuit of pleasure turns against us and poisons the emotional waters of our life, the severity of this dark night of the soul can bring us to the edge of hopelessness and despair but there is always hope if we are willing to turn ourselves around and partake of the living spiritual waters that will give our life a meaning and purpose that transcends the mere pursuit of pleasure.