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| Two of Cups (trimmed): © Haindl Tarot |
Cancer is linked to three ‘pip’ cards in the watery suit of
Cups. Because Cancer is a cardinal sign,
we look to the 2, 3 and 4 of the suit to find the planetary correspondences
(For more information on this system of Planetary and Zodiacal dignities, I
recommend Elizabeth Hazel’s Tarot Decoded,
published by Weiser, 2004). In the system I follow, the Two of Cups is linked
to Venus in Cancer, as well as to the first ten days of Cancer.
Let’s look again at the sign of Cancer, the
first of the Water signs we meet in the zodiac. The element of Water is
associated with feelings and emotions, the ebb and flow of which can tap into
our vulnerability. The shell of the crab represents the protection against this
vulnerability, usually through the long-term emotional security and nurturing
of family (not necessarily blood-relatives).
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| Two of Cups (trimmed): © Shadowscapes Tarot |
Now for Venus. Venus
has been called ‘the principle of attraction’. It describes our appreciation
for beauty (a very subjective area!) and reflects our taste in all sorts of
things (dress, art, music, etc) as well as giving us clues about the
relationships we’re drawn to.
So, if we
combine this with what we know about Cancer, we can see how the idea of
relationship, friendship and commitment – all common keywords for the Two of
Cups – play out in this card. It takes
the emotion of the Ace, divides it into two (the feminine and masculine, if you
like), creating the idea of duality and balance – essential ingredients in a
good relationship. Venus in Cancer – the
Two of Cups: the need to feel a sense of security in relationships, romantic or
platonic. It’s about giving and
receiving love, sharing, and a deep emotional exchange in a protective, nurturing
environment.
Haindl Tarot, created
by Hermann Haindl, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Shadowscapes Tarot created by
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn
