Cups is the tarot suit that represents the element Water. All Cups cards symbolize an aspect of elemental Water within us or manifesting somewhere in our lives. Water is the element of feelings and intuition. Perhaps not surprisingly Cups correlate to the suit of Hearts from a playing card deck; these cards deal with matters of the heart.
To get a good feel for this set of cards, reflect on the physical properties of water. Look carefully at a river or ocean and what do you notice? It is wet, obviously, and when moving it flows, creating waves. A body of water may appear still on the surface, hiding all the activity that is occurring within its depths. When we’re in a healthy relationship with water we can swim in it and ride its waves. Plants and animals need it for life! But water can flood or drown us when it’s out of control.
Within the psyche, Water is the emotional realm. By their nature, feelings are experienced deeply and can wash over us in waves. We cry water when overcome with emotion. A watery person has awareness of the depths within themselves. On a bad day they may become moody or lost in fantasy. Generally, they’re likely to be some combination of sensitive, artistic, compassionate, and intuitive.
- Elemental Water is analogous to the liquid state of matter.
- The suit of Cups may be summarized as “I Feel.”
- The Water signs of the Zodiac are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
(Note: All images Rider Waite Smith tarot deck, available in many versions from US Games)
