The Starman Tarot- 8 of cups, represents what is called a "vision quest" which is a take on the rite-of-passage that a male in his puberty must go through in certain Native American tribes. Here, one is taken out of his comfortable home environment, and sent off to find a sacred place in nature, in which to fast and seek a vision from his ancestral archetypes and Nature. The boy must overcome challenges and his fears , in-order to receive wisdom and guidance from Nature and the Spirit World concerning his purpose in life, and how he might serve his people. Often there is a lot of confusion and fearful nights of noises, cold, rain and smells, while hunger and thirst also assault the balance of the youth. Yet he must learn to listen to other than his own personal consciousness and let the counsel and wisdom of his own inner spirit show him the way.
In our culture, we expect the University to offer the wisdom of the ages, to our children so that they can go out into the world prepared for the nightmare assault upon the senses and self esteem of the outer world. Right out of High School, I joined the Navy, who prepared me for the tough times, that to my relief usually never happened. Let me tell you, boot camp was a reality check! Therefore, no matter what it takes to stay balance and not go out of control, one in their puberty needs preparation to face the unexpected challenges of the real world. The fairy tales we tell our children aren't the tales out there of any reality and the fairies aren't benevolent ones that flit from flower to flower... Life is difficult. Those who don't receive sufficient guidance, become stay at home 40 yr olds, or drug addicts, whose home is the drug induced fantasy.
In the art of the Starman-8 of Cups, we have a youth stumbling around, with a hand clasped to feverishly bewildered head, as faces the task of gathering wisdom from each cup. As each cup flies away, a flame licks the dynamite in another cup. Another cup releases a noxious green gas, as his feet are about to kick over a cup full of gold. He must learn to stop, sit, quiet his head, and relax, listening to the silence, so that the inner voice can be heard. One may also seek out the wisdom of those who are the elders and know the proper choices. Running around feverishly searching for what we think we need, is how catastrophes are created. Find your quiet place and trust your soul to lead you to the proper choices. Sometimes learning to just shut up and listen to the inner heart beat of life, or the wise mentor, is the hardest challenge for a brain that must always "be right".
The Thoth- 8 of Cups-Indolence or The Lord of Abandoned Success.
Attributed to this card is Saturn in Pisces. The Angels of the Decan: Vabaliah and Yeshivah.
Here, Hod, the 8th Sephiroth, is in Briah, the Mental World.
To reiterate, Hod is the concrete mind; However, with Saturn in Pisces the 8 of Cups, being a Water sign doesn't balance Saturn's energy well and the mind is sluggish.
The metal attributed to Saturn is lead. Lead/Saturn in a water sign brings a certain amount of introspection that manifests as disinterest with material conditions. The effect, is discontent or a decline in interest in anything. Thus, one's tendency is to abandon success.
The interpretation of the 8 of Cups, is based on the fact that Pisces, is calm and stagnant water that is completely deadened by the heavy influences of Saturn. We know Water, is the Element of consciousness, so what is going on within one is a deadening of interest, a complete lack of wonder.
The Thoth Deck 8 of Cups, is The Lord of Abandoned Success. Attributed to this card is Saturn in Pisces. The Angels of the Decan: Vabaliah and Yeshivah.
On the Thoth Card, the lotuses of enlightenment droop, for lack of sun or rain, i.e. proper attention. The Sea of mind has become little stagnant pools, in poisoned soil. All the cups are old and broken, symbolizing "an old and worn out" way of thinking. The Sun of Spirit, is a pallid yellowish light barely shining through the leaden clouds of indigo. Therefore the 8 of cups implies that the mind and emotions are on autopilot; thought process is not conducive to expanding and liberating the Life of the person. The blood in the body is moving like molasses. This person needs stimulation!
Not my favorite card, but this dullness of mind, is often necessary to warn us that it is time to evaluate our feelings and go allow our attention to go deeply within to the inner silence that is full of wisdom. Find our sacred place and sit comfortably, taking long slow deep breaths, just focusing on the easy deep breathing, guidance will come to those who will take the time to stop, and quiet the storming brain who is locked in the indolence of fear based thought.
When the 8 of Cups is thrown during a reading the querent may be experiencing:
- Exhaustion, being overly tired, drain and dull emotionally.
- There is an unconscious change taking place, on a deep inner level of feeling.
- There is a warning here to Pay attention to yourself...stop and examine your perspectives, this is the end of something and the beginning of something new!
- The emotional state of stagnation and stillness. This could go on for 8 weeks or 8 months, depending on the querent's actions.
- There is a need to focus and consolidate your emotions in an inspired way.
If ill defined:
- Depression.
- Suicide.
- Self-Pity.
Thank you for your interest, comments and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.
