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The Four of Cups card is an overwhelming atmosphere of radiance. It refers to the impotence of our feelings. In one minute, we desire something with the greatest desire, and in the next moment, from the fulfillment of the (abundant) fulfillment, it will turn into the opposite, reject, disgust and disgust. The bad mood shown here can range from chattering to dullness, bickering, dac and bitterness. In these cases, the card is a wake-up warning, so that our bad mood does not turn into a deep apathy and ignore the obvious opportunities and the peaceful gestures.

FOUR OF CUPS : LUXURY

These cards are attributed to Chesed. The connection between the number Four and the number Three is extremely complex. The important characteristic is that Four is “below the Abyss”; therefore, in practice, it means solidification, materialization. Things have become manifest. The essential point is that it expresses the Rule of Law.

The Four of Cups is called Luxury.

This card refers to Chesed in the sphere of Water. Here, below the Abyss, the energy of this element, although ordered, balanced and (for the moment) stabilized, has lost the original purity of the conception.

The card refers to the Moon in Cancer, which is her own house; but Cancer itself is so placed that this implies a certain weakness, an abandonment to desire. This tends to introduce the seeds of decay into the fruit of pleasure.

The sea is still shown, but its surface is ruffled, and the four Cups which stand upon it are no longer so stable. The Lotus from which the water Springs has a multiple stem, as if to show that the influence of the Dyad has gathered strength. For although the number Four is the manifestation and consolidation of the dyad, it is also secretly preparing catastrophe by emphasizing individuality.

There is a certain parallelism between this card and the Geomantic figures Via and Populus, which are attributed to the Moon in her decrease and increase respectively. The link is primarily the “Change=Stability” equation, already familiar to readers of this essay. Four is an “awkward” number; alone among the natural numbers, it is impossible to construct a “Magic Square” of four cells. Even in the Naples Arrangement, Four is a dead stop, a blind alley. An idea of a totally different Order is necessary to carry on the series. Note also the refolding-in-upon-itself suggested by the “Magic Number” of Four 1+2 + 3+4 which is Ten. Four is the number of the Curse of Limitation, of Restriction. It is the blind and barren Cross of equal arms, Tetragrammaton in his fatal aspect of finality, as the Qabalists knew him before the discovery of the Revolving Formula whereby the Daughter, seated upon the Throne of the Mother, “awakens the Eld of the All-Father”.

For the meanings of Via and Populus, refer to the “Handbook of Geomancy” (Equinox Vol. I, No.2).

THE FOUR OF CUPS - LUXURY

Astrology: Moon in the 3. decan of Cancer Tree of Life: Chesed through Water

In the Four of Cups the emotions are stabilized. A relationship might be comfortable, but it is fixed, the zenith is already crossed and the worth is taken as granted. When there is no more risk, freedom and exitement are lost. 

The 4 as the number of structure and reality implies a certain authority, it provides security and order. This might be useful when it comes to Disks, but emotions can't breathe with too much control, waters will foul when kept from floating. 

Therefore, the Four of Cups is not quite the best choice ever, and it shows. Behind the bright glamour of the four golden cups the grey tristesse of emptiness is already lurking.

Drive: Emotional richdom, stability of feelings, love without risk 

Light: Maternity, protection 

Shadow: Possessive 'love', restriction of others in order to satisfy one's self, or just for wrong intentions

THE FOUR OF CUPS - Luxury - Mars - Cancer - Grouch

Keywords: Moon in Cancer, love, tenderness, emotional richness, care

Advice: You get a lot of love and dedication lately. Enjoy it, but without becoming addicted to it.

Questions: Do you have a relationship where you feel limited? Do you show adoration for someone?

Suggestion: After you have answered the above questions in a self-critical way, pull another card that will show you how to handle the situation.

Revelation: I enjoy being together x.y., full of gratitude and joy.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: None (?)

Mythology: The Upset / Sulker (Pelide Achilleus)

Keywords: dislike, annoyance, saturation, rejection, disgust

Sometimes it's difficult to breathe even when the cleanest air is around.

FOUR OF CUPS

General Meaning

The suit often named Cups is also referred to as Chalices or Hearts. It represents the emotional and psychic aspects of life — fantasy, imagination, feelings, love.

A Four in this suit refers to a restless time, where a person may have become dissatisfied with life, and emotionally uncomfortable. Feeling stagnated, longing for change, the heart ponders its options ... as it should.

In the Reversed Position

The Four of Cups reversed indicates that you may not be making the reasons for some reluctance you are feeling clear to yourself or others. Some part of you is resisting the flow of events, but you are not admitting your own part in this.

It may be manifesting as a sort of foot-dragging or unmotivated, passive-aggressive stalling. Recognize this mood as a symptom of a deeper dissatisfaction and come clean to yourself about your real feelings. There is something to be learned.

In the Advice Positon

The Four of Cups in this position wants you to take a clear look at how stalled or distracted you have become. You may have been bogged down by negativity, hopelessness or a sense of limitation. It is not to your advantage, however, to see the world through such a narrow lens. Cut through some of the forces that undermine you, causing you to feel incapable. Sometimes you have to define what you are "for" by defining what you are "against." Decide that you are not as heavy as the cup of earth, not placid as is the cup of water, not turbulent as is the cup of air. Rather, now may be the time to be as aroused as is the cup of fire. This arousal may constitute liberation from the circumstances that may have brought you here.

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.