By Sarah Taylor
This week’s is an interesting reading. The reason I write this is because the cards tell an immediate, pretty concrete story that is hard to refute. As I drew them, the first thing I thought was, “This is a reading about marriage.”
And indeed it could be in its most literal sense. From left to right, there is a progression of images that suggests the coming together of two people and an offering of love (Six of Cups), a celebration under an arbour of wands (Four of Wands), and a formal, if not institutionalised, rite of passage (The Hierophant).
This interpretation, however, narrows to a point a reading that has something to say on a scale that is broader, but no less charged with the energy of togetherness and community, and the honouring of these.
The foundation of the reading lies in the Six of Cups. This is the card of childhood and golden memories; it is also the card of soulmates. I see it as the foundation because the Six of Cups refers to the past, or, more accurately, the energy of the past as it shows up in the present.
In the card, the figure of a boy presents a cup to a woman or girl — it’s hard to determine which. That, I feel, is the point. The strange perspective of the boy on the left seeming younger, and yet who is taller, than his companion denotes that sense of a bond that transcends one lifetime. In essence, the Six of Cups is a reunion, and one in which both parties are able to let down their guards — seen literally in the walking away of a greyed out figure carrying a spear in the background. In the foreground, there is full colour and each cup carries a flower. There is a feeling of tenderness, regard, and love. This is a connection that is respectful and uplifting.
The two cards that follow it have a parallel element to them: the two pairs of wands in the Four of Wands mirror the pillars in The Hierophant; the two figures beyond the wands — one in blue, the other in red — are mirrored in the two friars at the hierophant’s feet. There is a ceremonial aspect to both cards, but one which can take two approaches: improvisation and institution, unstructured and structured, fraternity and hierarchy.
Even in The Hierophant itself without the Four of Wands, this dual pathway is considered. For all of its overt religious imagery, The Hierophant describes something that transcends doctrine: two paths, one sacred (the laurels), one profane (the roses), both leading to the same destination.
It’s not how you get there; it is the invitation itself — to step up, to step forward, and to step through.
This is commitment in the sense of following your heart, and understanding that you are not separate. Through commitment, you can serve something greater than yourself and any one individual. With that comes a sense of belongingness. You are welcomed with open arms into that same state that you first experienced when you came into contact with an element of your soul as reflected in another. This reading is saying that that initial recognition and contact — and the feelings they created — are all well and good; what next? And the choice as to how that stepping through looks is yours to exercise.
Knowing that, what is it that makes your heart sing? What engenders in you a sense of community and belonging? What does it feel like to commit yourself to something greater than simply you? The doorway is open, waiting.
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: Six of Cups (Sun in Scorpio), Four of Wands (Venus in Aries), The Hierophant (Taurus)
If you want to experiment with tarot cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator using the Celtic Wings spread, which is based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article explains how to use the spread.
Congratulations to the lovers!
This reading is going to have to simmer. I am looking forward to next weeks reading because I think there is more to be revealed. I love how these readings link and progress week after week, Sarah.
The six of cups is rich. I immediately saw the cup on the pedestal, and I saw the tower, attached to the house. All in the background and associated with shelter, safety, family. The backdrop to the beneficence and affection of the giving of the cup, and the abundant four cups lined up. I love your expansive reading of the two figure, soulmates across lifetimes.
The four of wands is the passion of completion and celebration, or a celebration and consecration before witnesses of passion. Four cups, four wands, complete and stable, like the balance of the columns, the throne, the feet and the friars in the Hierophant.
The celebration is important. This weeks astrology calls for pleasure and play in the acts of creation.
I’ve been focused on my work since full moon, or since last new moon. It is a kind of marriage, as I have been creating, and clearing, and challenging myself, all in the interest of greater service, deeper self knowledge and a more complete and satisfying marriage within myself. Maybe I am identifying with the hierophant, too much.
I’ve forgotten the play and pleasure, and the celebration, in the depths of inquiry and service. Though I did spend hours in the pond with the fish and the dragonflies on Sunday.
This reading has mystery for me. I am willing to hang out there, and I am ready to celebrate and play too.
Thank you so much everyone! You are the best.
The amazing thing is when I used to tarot generator to ask about our relationship just days after we first connected, the one card I pulled was the Ace of Cups. As you know, the Ace of Cups has figured prominently for Sarah in a number of ways, and again here with this reading. Cups are hearts and truly our hearts are engaged.
May the same thing happen for each and everyone of you!
Mia
Sarah, thank you for your comment. It is a great complement to receive from you, but my observations would not have moved here if it were not for your talent and love you share. As you so wisely say, ” the energy of togetherness and community, and the honouring of these.” That is the point…continues to flower, spread and grow.
Mia, I am so happy for you, or anyone who finds this in relationship. Blessings out to you and your guy. As with the IV of Cups, and as Sarah said, “…a connection that is respectful and uplifting”, is exactly what I am also praying for. : )
Hi there, everyone. I have been reading Planet Waves for about a year now and I’ve never commented, but I just had to point out what I saw in this reading was a return of that Ace of Cups from a couple of weeks ago. The boy is holding one of the six cups, an offering of Love. I am no good at piecing this connection together in a verbal/written way, but that’s the thing I noticed and to me it’s a continuance of that theme. Just a thought. Thanks Sarah for your tarot readings, they always seem to be so in tune with some element of my world.
Mia, congratulations! To share that kind of easy friendship (that feels like kinship) and love with the same person is a joy! I wish you continued happiness.
P. Sophia, your comments apropos the Hierophant and PW staff are marvelous.
So much warm and fuzzy going on right now, it makes me giggle 😉
Thank you!!
beleclaire – The astrological correspondences are derived from the Golden Dawn associations. A great book that explains this very clearly is “The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford” by Lon Milo Duquette. The chapter called “Chicken Tarot” sets it all out beautifully. (And the book is hilarious!)
oops – it is…
Mia – my warmest congratulations on your happy news!
It so uplifting to read about your happiness
X
Thank you so very much, all of you! P. Sophia, your observations have enriched my own experience of the cards, and I am very grateful for that …
… and “Congratulations!!” where they are due, jinspace and Mia! Fabulosity! 😀
Thank you for this Sarah.
Please can you say a bit about the derivation of the astrological correspondences tha you quote at the end.
Thank you Daniel!
My sincere hope is that all people find this much peace, love and happiness in their relationships. It is how it is suppose to be, I’m sure. In my entire life, I have never laughed so hard.
Mia
That is beautiful news Mia! Thank you for sharing that!
Thank you Sarah, a lovely reading!
Thank you Sarah! This reading was so pertinent and timely for me. I am grateful to say that this very morning the wonderful man in my life and I discussed the issues raised in these cards and we determined our plan for making a formal commitment to each other early next summer. Truly brought together by Divine intervention, we grow closer with each day, on all levels. It is quite an experience relating to someone who is a perfect mirror for you and who holds the same goals, values and belief system. Our childhoods were similar and in some ways he feels like a benevolent older brother, but with passion. It’s an amazing gift I was finally ready to receive.
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for this beautiful reading. These first two cards the VI Cups and IV are two of my favorite! And it seems there is always more to see and understand.
VI Cups first came up for me in one of your readings a month, or so ago and then as here today it continues to feel a deeply spiritual ‘spirit’ card for me. An illustrated purposeful teaching in what is the truest offering and receiving in and of love and peace. There is another gift right behind him I noticed today a surprise (of course) to be received right along with the others lined up…waiting, ready to be bestowed gladly.
The center card, at the ‘body’ of the reading IV of Wands I have experienced a bit more. I naturally loved this card because it portrays the ‘dream’ physical marriage scene. But today you have added so much more to the meaning of this card in paralleling it to the Hierophant.
In your drawing us to look to the sacred and profane in the symbolism and the color and type of the flowers on the frier’s robes I saw the connection in the flower bunches the man and women raise above there heads in celebration also matched. I then noticed the man has two bunches (one in each hand) and I finally found the source. It looks like he picked on the other on the side of the bridge after his crossing over there.
I see this reading as not only showing the two paths, but also a representation of the bridging of the two paths, the material and spiritual.
The person is the Hierophant, the teacher, the healer, the ‘boy’, the man, you Sarah!, Len, Eric, Eliza, Jude all your writers and contributors who share their life work in this way are sharing love, wisdom in expression of that which bridges our two worlds. The story is shown from different perspectives in each card, yet it is the same meaning I see in all three, spirit, body and soul in lesson are bridged.
Lovely, Sarah, and (I’m happy to say) very apropos. Thank you!