The waters are beneath, and thereon are water-lilies; the hand
that issues from the cloud, holding in its palm the cup, from which
four streams are pouring; a dove, bearing in its bill a cross-marked
Host, descends to place the Wafer in the Cup; the dew of water is
falling on all sides. It is an intimation of that which may lie
behind the Lesser Arcana.--A.E. Waite
A hand from a cloud presents a golden chalice overflowing with the
stream of Paradise and raining the drops of Yod over the earth. A
white dove, symbol of the exalted state of spirituality, carries the
Holy Eucharist, the Christian symbol of the body of Christ, son of
God. The equal-sided cross represents the union of positive and
negative, heaven to earth. Lotus flowers in the bud stage and full
blossom of life float upon the water. Lotus flowers symbolize the
microcosm within the macrocosm.--Susan Hansson
In my experience, this card is almost always a sign that love is the
essence of the situation. It may be romantic love - the attraction
that draws two people together. It may be an expression of love. Look
for ways in which you can begin to connect with others. ...
This card also suggests inner attunement and spirituality. Cups are
the suit of the heart, and the Ace stands for the direct knowing that
comes from the heart. Trust what your feelings are telling you. Seek
out ways to explore your consciousness and your connections with
Spirit. Allow the power of your emotions to guide you in new
directions. Embrace the spirit of love that is the Ace of Cups and
prepare to be amazed.--Joan Bunning
The Ace of Cups traditionally represents a new love and the
indication of a very important love relationship coming. For someone
already in a committed relationship, the opportunity is still there
even though the person may not act upon it. It can also indicate a
new love of a hobby or interest that gets one's creative juices
flowing. There could be an addition to the family--a child,
grandchild, puppy or kitten (computer or television)--anything that
will bring long term pleasure.--Janet Berres
The Ace of Cups has the immediate meaning of a time of happiness and
love, a gift of joy. ... The Smith picture, with its dove and wafer,
specifically shows the Holy Grail, said to contain the physical
presence of the Holy Ghost at work in the world. ... [T]he world does
not function primarily by its laws, its moral order and its social
structures, but rather by the spiritual basis which gives all these
things meaning, and protects them from corruption. When we look at
existence as something solely to be conquered (the way Arthur's
knights went after the Grail) we bring only chaos.
Cups--Water--symbolize receptivity. Love, and ultimately life, cannot
be seized, but only accepted.
Reversed: The card upside down can imply that we ourselves bring
about our unhappiness by not recognizing what life offers us, or by
reacting violently when what we need is calm.--Rachel Pollack
Much like the welcome sight of a refreshing beverage on a hot day,
the Ace of Ghosts shows a hand offering an overflowing cup of liquid.
The refreshment extended here, however, is of the spiritual sort,
indicating exaltation, or the beginning of a great love. ... This is
a blissful, exuberant card. Enjoy!--Karin Lee
In Waite's Ace of Cups, the descending dove bears a Host-marked
wafer, a cross within a circle, the same symbol as that of earth, or
the mundane plane. The dove descends to Mary on earth, just as the
One descends to salt and is fixed in earth as the Many. The
Assumption of the Virgin into heaven corresponds to the liberation of
the anima mundi, adding One to the Trinity, and squaring the circle,
as in Key 21, The World.--Richard Roberts
A golden chalice underwater overflows with liquid and light. The moon
and stars throw brilliant rays into the starry sky. The emotions of
life touch the realm of the earth, as signified by the soil on which
the cup stands. Overflowing joy and an ocean of tears are contained
in the cup.
Twelve stars above the cup symbolize completion in the "base
twelve" number system. The fellowship of Christ's apostles numbered
twelve, Hercules performed twelve labors, the zodiac has twelve
houses, day and night have twelve hours each.... Twelve is a number
of time, a reminder of how impermanent the most deeply felt emotions
can be. As religious ritual uses water to wash away impurity or
sinfulness, mundane and fleeting emotions can be transformed into
divine compassion.--Jean Huets
Light is shed in dark corners to reveal simple solutions to complex
problems. The answer to one's question appears in the form of the
brimming Cup ("wish your will; drink your fill"). The clarity of the
liquid in the Cup may illuminate an answer to problems muddied by
emotional turmoil. --Tracey Hoover
Instances of the Sangrail in Le Morte d'Arthur
For sources, see the
Bibliography and Credits
page.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/minors/wands/w05/w05voice.html
home
tarot