The Witches Tarot- Ten of Cups, displays a rainbow holding ten silver cups in a crescent shape above the dancing figures of children. The two embracing parents are holding an arm high in the air, as if celebrating. The parents may be still, but the children need to move, dance and twirl about in a lush field of grass and flowers. A fine house among the willow trees is shown in the distance.
The flowers at the feet of the children and parents, is pink verbena which in the language of flowers means a happy family bond, of which this card is a scene of.
When thrown in a divination, this card implies:
- A happy family, good marriage or stable relationship.
- The bond of friendship.
- The fellowship of community.
- The emotional ties that form in a coven.
MALKUTH, Earth, is the 10th Sephiroth on the Tree of Life, and is the placement of the 4 Tens.
The Thoth-10 OF CUPS is known as SATIETY, and is attributed to Mars in Pisces. Crowley calls this card, The Lord of Perfected Success, as this is the influence of MALKUTH in the Creative- Mental World known as Briah. Satiety, is a word meaning, filled to the point of excess, though it is hard to argue that excessive happiness is a negative thing; However, excessive emotion could be distracting.
What is exceptional about this card, is that the general astrological meaning of Mars in Pisces doesn't apply. Pisces is a watery sign, and Mars would seem to signify a dispersal of energy to a point of frustration. However, the meaning here is that fiery Mars causes the Waters of Pisces to rush furiously into Briah, bringing great feelings of emotional success on the Material plane of Malkuth. The imagery of this card expresses the opinion that all happiness is inspired from above, i.e. comes from the Divine. One could say that Happiness, is a higher-inner state of inner energy consciousness, but that it can't be contained in the vessel of the body for long periods of time. Saturation leads to boredom and disinterest.
To be sure, when Tarot is used for public Divination, it is best applied to mundane matters, whereas the meaning may be different if applied to a more spiritual plane. The Placement of the cards, in the reading will clarify this statement.
However, being a 10, this is a short duration card, as 10's are a union of 1 and 0, so from one to zero is the flow of this cards influence. So often one is only satiated for a short period of time, with struggle around the corner. As seen in the Thoth- 10 of Cups, although in the seemingly stable form of the Tree of Life, has a conflicting element that causes a tilting of the Cups, spilling water from the Great Lotus that overhangs the whole system. This conflict is from Mars in Pisces. Mars is a noted gross, violent force, depicted in Myth as the Roman God of War who attacks any noted perfection. Pisces, is notably peaceful, spiritual, sensitive, psychic, and receptive. Mars is brutal, fiery and dominant.
This combination means that the proper work of Water is done, and a substantial disturbance is due. In fact, Mars in Pisces, is considered by many astrologers to be the worst position of the 12 signs.
Yet, through all this supposed doom and gloom, when this card is thrown during a reading, it means that emotional matters are definitely arranged and settled...for the moment. Pleasure proceeds, to dissipation and debauchery, as energy-in-motion follows the second law of thermodynamics. The message here is," Enjoy the moment of completion, all is done. Sit back, have a dram", but avoid debauch, as soon you'll be called on to perform at your best."
Since 10 is a number that when added together [1+0 =1), you end up at the beginning. It is the "up the down staircase" number that places us on top of one flight of stairs, only to find out that we are at the bottom of another flight. There are some Tarot readers that forgot this part of the Arcana, and call the Ten of Cups, permanent success, but Qabalists know that the only permanency in this One Energy Universe, is change/transformation. Yet here dances the "Lord of Material Happiness", the tenth Sephiroth, Malkuth and all seems well...but then we know how long happiness in material things lasts in a “not this, not that” world!
To reinstate, MALKUTH, Earth, is the 10th Sephiroth on the Tree of Life, and is the placement of the 4 10s. Here is happiness, and the end of a cycle.
The numerology number 10 is independent and has infinite potential. A person with the number 10 in a major position of their numerology chart tends to be self-determined, feel comfortable being alone, and experience an urge to explore. Interpretations of the number 10 are derived from its essence.
In ordinary matters, the divined meaning is:
- Matters definitely arranged as wished, permanent and lasting emotional success on one issue; which will fade into another unsolved issue, as this will wane after great exaltation.
- In ordinary matters, the divined meaning of the Ten of Cups-Satiety: Matters definitely arranged as wished, permanent and lasting success of a physical issue, as it is done and finished.This meaning of material success is reinforced if the 10 of Cup's lands on the position of "Beneath you" or "of House and Home", on a Celtic cross layout. In fact, that would be paramount for this card, as it is a 10 of Malkuth (Kingdom) in an Earthly existence position. However, the tilting of the cups shows us that 10's are the end of one issue, and the beginning of the unfathomable new.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donation. May you live long and prosper.
