Two of Cups

I mentioned the other day that I was going to start designing a tarot deck, but I don't think I expanded on that at all.

I've been wanting to learn the Tarot, and I've read quite a bit about it, but not in the depth that I would like. As I read more about it, and look at different types of decks, I've become intrigued with the symbolism, and I thought it might be a cool idea to make my own deck, researching each card and creating my own symbolism.

I had intended to make the Two of Cups yesterday, because it seemed to me to be a suitable one for Valentine's Day, but then once I started working on it, it turned into something else.

The suit of Cups deals with the emotions and relationships, most particularly love. The element of Cups is water--the flow of life, the flowing together of people--lovers, friends, families. They generally signify happiness, peace and joy, and they are passive rather than active. Sometimes that can be a problem, of course, when the events of life require action. But in general, Cups' symbolism leans toward happy things.

The Two of Cups symbolises not only romantic love, but also affection, friendship, partnership, cooperation. Rachel Pollack's seminal Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom calls the Two of Cups "a lesser version of The Lovers," and says, "While the trump shows the great power of mature sexual relationships the Minor card emphasizes the beginning of a relationship." I had originally intended to make a card focusing on romantic love--for Valentine's Day--but it took a different turn. A story evolved as I was creating it. At first I thought about the two girls as friends, but then I decided they were sisters, one just a little older than the other, and a little more adventurous. She has the opportunity to travel, and she goes off and sees the world while her younger sister stays home with their parents.

The older girl (Eleanor, or "Elly,") sends her younger sister (Olivia, or "Livvie") postcards from exotic places like Egypt, where Elly meets a man while visiting the Great Pyramid, and thinks she might be falling in love. The beginning of a love affair seems to fit the Two of Cups perfectly, so it ended up almost where it started.

(Click the card for a larger version.)