(i) Four of Cups YouTube Video
My new YouTube channel is : Thoth Tarot Videos. The minor arcana videos are yet to be remade.
(ii) Thoth Four of Cups
In the Four of Cups the cups are arranged in a square representing the 4 of Chesed. Water from the lotus fills the upper row of cups, which subsequently overflow to the lower cups. No water flows from the lower cups. Dark skies loom in the background.
(iii) Rider Waite Four of Cups
(iv) Four of Cups & The Tree of Life
Chesed in Briah. Emotions (water) do not flow in the structure of Chesed so this is not the best combination.
(v) Shemhamphorasch Angels of The Four of Cups
Haiel: Divine protection, leading to victory. Bearer of internal contradictions, war, continual conflicts, rupture of agreements.
Mumiah: Concrete realizations, brings to an end what has been started. Dead end, collapse, lacks openness, depression.
(vi) Astrology of the Four of Cups
1.Decan = 1st Decan of Cancer (0 – 10°)
2. Moon in Cancer
The moon rules Cancer and this is the only strength of the card. There is a potential for a nurturing of ourselves and being emotionally content with this combination but the imbalances of the card (being associated with Chesed, and the fact that there is an excess of water) means that this potential is thrown off kilter. So the underlying message of the card is that we want to be emotionally fulfilled in a deep way, but that we are perhaps going about it in the wrong way.
The Moon is associated with the principle of flux and change, and it is quite likely that your own emotional state shifts and changes like the phases of the Moon. It is very important for those born with the Moon here learn to take responsibility for how sensitive and emotional they are.
When they have feelings of insecurity, they may attempt to create a sense of it by accumulating things around them. So perhaps this card goes some way to explaining why people who are emotionally unfulfilled, compensate for it by hoarding things they don’t perhaps need.
(vii) Symbology of the Four of Cups
The main weakness of the card is that most of its main attributes are associated with WATER:
- Chesed = ruled by Jupiter (Zeus). Poseidon (Neptune) was his brother and was God of the Sea (water)
- Briah = associated with the Hē of the Tetragrammaton which represents the suit of cups and the element water.
- The Moon = controls the tides
- Cancer = feminine and receptive
Square Bases on Lower Cups = represent the stability of Chesed but as can be seen in the card they lack a stable base and so we have inherent instability in the card.
Dark Background & Agitated Sea = there is trouble brewing for us !
Infinity Sign in the Sea = hidden amongst the stems of the lotus = infinite potential in each of us
No water from lower cups = our pleasure has come to an end and we are no longer content in life. Things are stagnating for us emotionally and not flowing.
(viii) Quotes from the Book of Thoth
p.197 four is a dead stop, a blind alley. An idea of totally different order is necessary to carry on the series.
(Meaning we need something to break us out of our current situation, we need to refocus on a goal which will leave us feeling more fulfilled
p.197 There is a certain parallelism between this card and the geomantic figures VIA and POPULUS, which are attributed to the moon in her decrease and increase respectively.
(ix) Geomancy & The Four of Cups
Via
Latin for “the Way”. The figure resembles a road or path. It is considered bad of most things, but good with concerns of roads, travels, or journeys. Astrologically it is associated with Cancer and the waning Moon, and both its inner and outer elements are water. All the elements in Via are active, and as such the figure indicates change more than any other figure.
Populus
Latin for “the People”. The figure resembles a bird’s-eye view of a group of people. The figure can mean that the outcome is based on the people of the situation, or represents a large number of people or peers. Astrologically it is associated with Cancer and the waxing Moon; both its inner and outer elements are water.
(x) Divinatory Meanings of the Four of Cups
Upright
Boredom & Dissatisfac
tion in life. Perhaps we are too familiar with our environment.
Need to seek new goals, lack of motivation.
Looking to material things for happiness
Seeking temporary pleasure as an escape for feeling discontent (alcohol, drug use in extreme cases)
Reminds us to realise what we DO have and to appreciate it more as others may be in a worst situation.
Reversed
Rejecting new opportunities
Long term lack of motivation and staying in comfort zone/depression.
(xi) Crystal Associated with the Four of Cups
1. Angel Aura
Angel Aura is used in meditation and can help one meditate on finding the proper course of action in life. It is said to help with angelic communication and communicating with Higher Self and inner wisdom. It is used by mystics to help access Akashic Records and past life recall. It is said to bring peace and tranquility because of the angelic protection it brings.
Physically, mystical lore reputes that angel aura is helpful for general health & vitality.
(xii) Recommended Video Links
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