Seven of Cups

Meanings according to Rider-Waite:

ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Neptune as a symbol of untruth, illusion, escape from reality.

SEVEN OF CUPS The Seven of Cups is a card of untruth, illusion, mirage, phantoms. It shows that we are giving way to deceptive hopes and false notions, that we are deceiving ourselves and allowing ourselves to be deceived. As a rule, it acts as a harbinger of sobering up — that is, of disappointment — and it should be perceived as a final warning: open your eyes! Yet it has a positive aspect as well: if we recognize our delusions, free ourselves from illusions, and truly wish to devote ourselves to something real, it promises us help and support from those from whom we did not expect it.

From the book: Hajo Banzhaf. THE TAROT HANDBOOK. Translated from the German by E. Kolesov. Publisher: Center for Astrological Research, 1999.

SEVEN OF CUPS Debauch. The third decan of Scorpio, from November 12 through November 22. Astrological equivalents: the Sun in Pisces and in the Seventh House, the conjunction of the Sun and Neptune. If the first decan of Scorpio reflects the power of passion, and the second the elevation of love into the universally human, then the third decan of Scorpio symbolizes the development of feelings in their depth. This is the inwardness and dramatization of feelings that allow a person to come forth to the mysteries of life and death. Sharpened to the limit and sublimated into a single impulse, the emotions set a person face to face with his chief problem — and the potential with which the feelings rush toward the solution of the problem allows the person to free himself from it. This decan is ruled by Venus, which proclaims the triumph of life over death, and so, in this decan, the extremity of feelings does not destroy a person but is one of the natural manifestations of life. However, the freedom and liberation of feelings attained here leads to temptations, for the feelings gain the upper hand over reason. Accepting the world as it is and renouncing past illusions, a person is inclined to indulge himself: inner power gives him a sense of license. On the TAROT card, in the seven CUPS, are depicted the symbols of vices that arise when feelings overflow: these are self-delusion, egoism, pride, jealousy, envy, sloth, and avarice. The person has halted before them in bewilderment. Feeling affirms what is given and strives to bind a person to that which already exists — and therefore, in order to move further into the process of cognition, it is important to be cautious in attachments and to leave no room for weaknesses of character. Feeling is right, but the temptations are illusory: in the picture they are depicted enveloped in billows of smoke — the mist of illusion. Overcoming the inertia of feelings, human consciousness disperses the clouds and finds itself on the threshold of new discoveries. The SEVEN OF CUPS symbolizes success in love, attractiveness, personal charm. Love in a multitude of manifestations, at times the most unexpected. The card indicates an emotion that inspires a person to one deed or another. The SEVEN OF CUPS is the attainment of the ideal. What next? In Pamela Smith's interpretation, the SEVEN OF CUPS is depicted in the form of clouds, upon which stand CUPS bearing the symbols of: love (a woman), wisdom (a serpent), holiness (a figure in a veil), power (a castle), wealth (jewels), glory (a laurel wreath), and evil (a dragon). It seems that at the level of this card all the signs and all the planets are engaged. Over them prevails the influence of Neptune, as the planet connected with ideals. The trap is to follow the imagination without analyzing.

Upright position In the upright position the card signifies illusions, deception, raptures, exaltation, excessive imagination. What may be concealed behind the inspiration? In the professional sphere: take heed — illusion is at hand. Lack of realism, fantasies, imagination, hallucinations, visionary abilities, contemplation.

Reversed position In the reversed position the card signifies: desire, resoluteness, strong will, a sensible choice, the feeling that the goal is just about to be attained. Sometimes the SEVEN OF CUPS may signify tears, a hysterical state, for not every person is capable of accepting the attainment of their ideals.