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The Two of Cups card shows a loving meeting. It may be a precursor to a sympathetic, new acquaintance, but it may be a sign of reconciliation or loving treatment within an existing relationship. The card undoubtedly emphasizes the area of personal things. You can refer to flirting, "at first sight" love, a happy sight or a gentle relationship, a friendship. It may also mean that you are welcome to spontaneous help when traveling, doing business or other intentions.

TWO OF CUPS : LOVE

These cards refer to Chokmah. From the point of view of the ordinary person, Chokmah is really No. 1 and not No. 2, because he is the first manifestation; Kether is completely concealed, so that nobody knows anything about it at all. Hence, only on reaching the Deuces does an element appear as the element itself. Chokmah is uncontaminated by any influence; therefore the elements here appear in their original harmonious condition.

The Two of Cups is the Lord of Love, which performs a similar office for water.

The Two always represents the Word and the Will. It is the first manifestation. Therefore, in the suit of Water, it must refer to Love, which recovers unity from dividuality by mutual annihilation.

The card also refers to Venus in Cancer. Cancer is, more than any other, the receptive Sign; it is the House of the Moon, and in that Sign Jupiter is exalted. These are, superficially, the three most friendly of the planets.

The hieroglyph of the card represents two cups in the foreground, overflowing upon a calm sea. They are fed with lucent water from a lotus floating upon the sea, from which rises another lotus around whose stem are entwined twin dolphins. The symbolism of the dolphin is very complicated, and must be studied in books of reference; but the general idea is that of the “Royal Art”. The dolphin is peculiarly sacred to Alchemy.

The number Two referring to Will, this card might really be renamed the Lord of Love under Will, for that is its full and true meaning. It shows the harmony of the male and the female: interpreted in the largest sense. It is perfect and placid harmony, radiating an intensity of joy and ecstasy.

Of necessity, the realization of the idea in the Four (as the suit develops) will gradually diminish the purity of its perfection.

THE TWO OF CUPS - LOVE

Astrology: Venus in the 1. decan of Cancer Tree of Life: Chokmah through Water

The Two of Cups is the polarisation of the freely floating streams of the Ace of Cups. Where the Ace was all-embracing in its feelings, the Two of Cups has a particular focus. The Ace was unity, the Two of Cups is differentiation, feelings are fucussed on a specific object. 

Remembering that 2 as a number is the symbol of duality, it implies the Two of Cups needs a counterpart, a source or a goal outside itself.

Drive: Love, unity in difference 

Light: Harmony, pleasure, mirth, love, friendship, passion 

Shadow: Dissipation, waste, sillyness, subtlety

THE TWO OF CUPS - Love - Venus Asc. - Being together

Keywords: Venus in Cancer, inclusive love, happy relationship, mutual emotions

Advice: Your ability to accept love makes you attractive. Hand it over to yourself, to others, to life!

Question: In what environment can you share your love?

Suggestion: Listen to the love that comes to you. Stay open, let it enter and penetrate deep within you.

Revelation: There is nothing else to do but enjoy what life gives you. I am ready to allow the love that will fill me into my life.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: 31. Hsien [Xi'an] (Courtship, Courtesy, Impact)

Mythology: The ones who agree (The Concordia)

Keywords: affectionate togetherness, meeting, reconciliation, gentle relationship

We carry some of our emotions, others carry us. But to become human, the first ones are the most important.

TWO OF CUPS

General Meaning

The Two in this suit signifies a union of souls. This card traditionally describes a romantic relationship, but also includes the idea that all good friendships and partnerships are based on a natural affinity and a deep mutual understanding. As a personal reflection, it can also signify that your mind and your soul are discovering each other, maybe for the first time.

This card also symbolizes a karmic tie, often portrayed by a wreath or figure-eight ribbon twining around the two cups. Occasionally you see a symbol referring to the union of alchemical opposites (as in sacred sex), pictured as a long-necked flask twined with serpents, its mouth spouting flames, sometimes with wings. This image is from Alchemy, indicating the refining and mutually completing effect of a true and lasting love.

In the Reversed Position

The Two of Cups reversed indicates that you may be investing too much in a relationship. Sometimes this is a signal that you must stop seeking so much validation from others.

It may be that your attentiveness to those around you has overtaxed your psyche, and you have started neglecting yourself as a result. Stop conforming to the demands or narrow criteria of your partner or partners. When you undermine yourself in this way, you undermine your relationships too. You may think you are working extra hard to take care of others, but you are actually abandoning yourself. Eventually that will lead to alienation and resentment.

In the Advice Positon

The Two of Cups in this position advises you to speak your heart. It may be likely that the person you are trying to connect with feels the same. Still the other needs to hear this more fully. So why not make it clear and why not now?

The Two of Cups is the image of the heart making a vow. This card advises that you pledge yourself to this friendship and put your heart on the line. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Life is a relationship game. It's a great privilege to share with others who are so complementary and compatible.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.