Tarot Pull: Suit of Cups & the Element of Water
Taking a slightly different approach with this week’s article. Instead of looking at a singular tarot card, we’re going to dive into an entire suit and its corresponding element.
Pictured: The Chesapeake Bay at Oceanview beach in Norfolk, VA
If you’re unfamiliar with tarot, you may not know that each suit (often known as Cups; Pentacles; Swords; and Wands) corresponds with one of the elements (Water; Earth; Air; Fire).
This week we’re going to jump in with the suit of Cups and its counterpart, Water. I’ll start with some background on the suit and the element, but feel free to skip ahead to the section below dealing with how certain Cups cards could be applied in story development as well as inner creative development.
If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you’ve almost certainly noticed I have a fondness for water. I love the mountains; forests; and even urban areas, but I’m at my most peaceful by the water. For me, the water evokes memories of loved ones long gone as well as the healing experiences I had planted in the sand on Buckroe Beach throughout my mid-20s. However, along with clarity and contentedness, water also refills my creative reservoir in a way almost nothing else does.
And that makes sense!
Pictured: The Atlantic Ocean at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, VA
Water is the most prevalent natural resource on our beautiful planet, flowing from shore to shore and cutting paths through our landscapes. It’s long served as the primary mode of travel for humans and ensures we continue to exist, keeping our otherwise dry world thriving. Indeed, even the human body is mostly water. It is essential to our survival, but it is also the element that connects us physically and physiologically.
Tarot links the element of Water to matters of the heart, extending both to the relationships we cultivate with one another as well as the creativity that springs from inside us. This is reflected in the traditional interpretation of the suit of Cups (also sometimes referred to as chalices or goblets, though many Tarot artists will rename suits to whatever best aligns with their deck).
When Cups pop up in a reading, it’s usually meant as a sign post pointing directly to your relationship with others as well as yourself. Often, when I’m reading, I view an upright Cups card as highlighting something related to external relationships while the reverse would indicate something going on within myself.
So, how the hell does this help with creativity, really? Fair question.
Creativity flows from within us. What I put down on the page reflects more than just a fun story I thought up on the train. It’s an expression of my most inner self and how I understand the world around me.
(I’m a horror writer, so yes, I realize that perhaps my connection to the world around me may be a bit bumpy; it’s okay, really).
Pictured: Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, WV
The element of Water allows us to easily visualize what’s happening within and without us. Sometimes, it’s calm and you can serenely float on its surface. Sometimes, it’s violent and consumes everything around it.
Water is as versatile and unpredictable as we are. Have you ever thought about what happens when you ignore that leak in your roof? Have you ever tried to drive through a massive puddle and fishtailed? Have you ever gotten stuck in a riptide and scared the living hell out of yourself?
Water demands that you pay attention— that you respect it and most importantly, roll with it. Fight against water, and more likely than not, you’re the one that ends up exhausted in the end.
That’s the key…
Take some lessons from the element of Water and the suit of Cups. When you pull one, take time to reflect on how the water within you and within others is flowing. Is it turbulent in there? Is it smooth sailing out there? Either way, roll with it. Allow Water to guide you along, even when it feels like you’re stuck…yes; even when you don’t like whatever is churning inside you. If you let it go in the tide, perhaps you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what washes up in your art.
I’m a big fan of intuitive tarot reading, meaning I fully support individuals drawing cards with minimal knowledge of the traditional meanings behind them and allowing their subconscious to interpret what’s in front of them. Doing this kind of reading not only obliterates gatekeeping, but it facilitates a deeper understanding of our own psychology, even for those who think the mystical side of Tarot is bullshit.
That being said, here’s my hot take on what certain Cups cards could mean when pulled in context of creativity:
Pictured: Page of Chalices (aka Cups) from the Starspinner Tarot deck
Page of Cups:
As a court card, Pages usually represent beginnings and flourishing ideas. They tend to be an optimistic (though sometimes unrealistic) player when in the upright position. SO, the upright Page of Cups is a great signal for those setting out on creative or romantic pursuits.
For plot development, this card could signal just that: the beginning of a relationship or passion project for the main character. Is this what motivates them? Is this the conflict? Is it both?
Pictured: Page of Cups from Madam Clara’s 5-Cent Tarot deck and the Ethereal Visions Tarot deck
Similarly, when pulled for character development, the Page of Cups could represent someone who is artistically driven or chasing after new relationships. As mentioned before, Pages can sometimes be a bit naïve in their haste and enthusiasm. In what way might this help shape your character’s personality?
Pictured: Ace of Cups from the Ethereal Visions Tarot deck
Ace of Cups:
Upright Aces are kick-ass cards. Think of it as a giant “YOU GOT THIS!” or “YOU’RE CRUSHING THIS!” from the Universe (or the deck’s artist if you’re approaching tarot from a purely psychological perspective). Combined with Cups, this card often indicates success in passion projects and relationships. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.
Pictured: Ace of Cups from the poorly named Tarot of the Abyss deck. Despite a name which was clearly crafted to lure angst-ridden teens to purchase a rad deck at Hot Topic, this deck is beautifully illustrated with incredible symbolism.
For character development, this could indicate someone who is confident in their endeavors, especially related to creativity and romance. They’re finding abundance in their life somewhere, and my guess would be that they know it. Aces (like Knights) can sometimes be a little too confident, however, so this could also feed into your character’s development.
If pulling a card for yourself during the creative process, the Ace of Cups is one of the best cards you could draw. Take it as a high-five that you’re on the right track.
Pictured: Two of Cups from the Linestrider Tarot deck
Two of Cups:
Sweet, sweet harmony! Twos in Tarot are almost always connected to peace or syncing up. No matter the suit, it often involves relationships. However, the Two of Cups dials that up to eleven. Usually, this card tips toward harmony within relationships, but it can also indicate aligning with your purpose or self love.
Pictured: Two of Cups from Madam Clara’s 5-Cent Tarot deck
In context of story development, no character exists in a complete void. How are they interacting with their fellow characters? Are they on a quest to find harmony with others, or are they searching for it within themselves? My guess is that somewhere in the story, even when developing villains, there’s a relationship that is or was highly compatible and important. When in the reverse position, it could mean the loss of that relationship or a total break with one’s purpose.
Pictured: Five of Cups from The Linestrider Tarot deck
Five of Cups:
The Five of Cups can be a tragic card. It says you’re missing out on something. In most depictions, three items (usually cups) are destroyed, but two remain unscathed. Yet, the “main character” of the card seems oblivious to the positives that are present even amidst the pain.
Pictured: Five of Cups from the Ethereal Visions Tarot deck
For character development, this seems like it could be applied broadly. What is your character missing when they encounter their conflict? Even in the depths of their despair or doubt, are there tiny hints of light that could be highlighted to make the character more well rounded or further deepen the story’s complexity.
From a personal perspective when approaching your own creativity, this card could be particularly useful for those of us slogging through the querying trenches or battling the dreaded writer’s block. What good things are we ignoring because we’re so wrapped up in the negative? How can we pull those things forward and into focus to make sure we keep our creative hearts in tact? Sitting in despair and mourning won’t get us very far.
Also, I wrote an article on this one. How much of a coincidence is that? ;)
Pictured: Ten of Cups from the Wild Unknown Tarot deck
Ten of Cups:
Woo-hoo! Tens in tarot represent endings or completion. Sometimes that can look a bit painful (such as with the Ten of Swords), but with Cups, this equals fulfillment in one’s endeavors. It’s a card of prosperity, joy, and community.
In developing characters and plot lines, this card may guide you toward thinking about the MC’s ultimate goal, especially regarding their relationships with others. Are they pursuing a romance or fighting to protect their loved ones? What may stand in the way of them completing that mission? OR have they already achieved what they believe to be success, and what may that look like for them?
Pictured: Ten of Cups from the Tarot of the Abyss deck (see above note on the unfortunate marketing decision made regarding this deck)
For the creator pulling cards for themselves, this card may be a signal that your journey on a particular project is coming to a successful end…that the light at the end of the tunnel is growing larger. You’re almost there, and when you arrive, that ending will be especially sweet.
That’s a wrap on this week’s tarot article. If you enjoyed it or have questions, please let me know! I love hearing about others’ creative journeys, and how tarot may influence your art.
As always, stay perpetually and creatively weird!
~Allison
