Hermetic Title: Root of the Powers of Water

Zodiacal Rulership: Quadrant Libra to Pisces, w/ the Princess as its Throne

Trumps: JUSTICE, DEATH, TEMPERANCE

Hebrew Letter: first hey in the tetragrammaton

Sphinx Power: AUDERE – the power TO DARE

“This is the receptiveness that becomes things of form. Here are the beginning stirrings of love, conception, beauty, and devotion. The goal is Love, the power to Dare.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

Hey Primal, the first letter hey of the tetragrammaton yud-hey-vav-hey, represents the Supernal Mother.

Seed of fertility and conception, love and joy.

The productiveness of first form.

Overflow.

Upright Keyword: FULL OF LOVE

Powerful emotions.

To be or feel full of love- one’s cup runneth over.

The House of the Full Heart; the House of the True Heart.

Can be an indication of the beginning of an emotional affair.

Nourishment. Fertility. Emotions find their fullness here.

Reversed Keyword: EMOTIONALLY BLOCKED

One is not allowing love or feeing to enter.

The House of the False Heart.

In this position, the cup pours perpetually out. What one has, one cannot hold.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Love

Decan: 1 to 9 degrees Cancer

Ruler: Venus

Trumps: THE CHARIOT, THE EMPRESS

“For the use of the greater potencies of occultism, it is necessary to have a pair working in polarity.”

--Dion Fortune, Esoteric Philosophy of Love and Marriage

“What else but a merging of masculine and feminine polarities in an act of love, the Will to Love, and water in its purest, highest form, has the power of creation?”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

A balance of two polarities. Very often this card refers to a male/female partnership in which the partners function as a pair of equal opposites.

Upright Keyword: PARTNERSHIP

Balanced partnership of polarities.

The successful co-relation of the sexes, whether sexual or otherwise. Work partnerships, marriages, friendships.

Bonds outside the family. Love, friendship, affinity, concord, partnership. Pacts and promises made and kept.

A stable and evenly matched pair, each supplying what the other lacks. This combination provides a strong basis for creation.

Reversed Keyword: MISUNDERSTANDING

False love and false friendships.

Foundational misunderstanding.

Preoccupation with romantic problems may be interfering elsewhere in the life.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Abundance

Decan: 10 to 19 degrees Cancer

Ruler: Mercury

Trumps: THE CHARIOT, THE MAGICIAN

“The union of the male and female forces […] combine to make a third thing. In this case what has been manifested is abundance. […] The prize is joy and pleasure in love, plenty, and fertility.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

This decan, 2nd Cancer, also contains the exaltation of Jupiter at 15 degrees. Therefore the fortunate aspect of the Great Benefic is enhanced with this card.

Upright Keyword: ENJOYMENT

The conclusion of any matter in happiness, plenty, and rejoicing.

Associated with solace and healing- one can now relax, one has come to a save and happy place. Needs are now met.

Fellowship, reunions, and reconnections. A time to harvest: enjoy what one has, and enjoy what one feels.

Reversed Keyword: LAST DANCE

An end-of-summer feeling.

The uncontrollable unraveling or pouring-out of what one has carefully gathered and cultivated. Here, the things one has surrounded oneself with and has become accustomed to can no longer be held.

A coming separation or ending looms- take joy and comfort in celebration now.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Luxury

Decan: 20 to 29 degrees Cancer

Ruler: Moon

Trumps: THE CHARIOT, THE HIGH PRIESTESS

“The pleasure is blended, and the luxury it speaks of can after a time be a little stifling. Much like a womb, it is certainly pleasant but one must outgrow it, though there can be a pause here to enjoy luxury while it lasts […] one can only indulge for so long.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

The cup in the air is the godsend- but even this is not impressive to the thinker under the tree, who is stumped by his own perpetual dissatisfaction.

Upright Keyword: MUSINGS

Dissatisfaction with one’s blessings. Weary with imagined vexations.

Wishful thinking regarding the future.

Pleasure in excess leads to stagnation.

Often the appearance of this card is a warning not to take the love in one’s life for granted.

Reversed Keyword: GET GOING

Novelty – new instructions or new relations.

A clear message to get going now, and not to wallow in self-pity.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Disappointment

Decan: 0 to 9 degrees Scorpio

Ruler: Mars

Trumps: DEATH, THE TOWER

“It is a card of loss, but something remains over: three have been taken, but two are left; it is a card of inheritance, patrimony, transmission, but not corresponding to expectation.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

“Luxury doesn’t last forever, the pendulum swings to disappointment.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

Upright Keyword: SETBACK

Signifies loss, but not complete loss- two cups remain, although the tendency here is to focus on what was lost to the exclusion of anything else, perpetuating further loss.

Pessimistic focus can only exacerbate loss.

Disappointment or regret.

Reversed Keyword: RECOVERY

Recovery from a bad decision, turning a corner.

Can also mean news regarding blood family or ancestry.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Pleasure

Decan: 10 to 19 degrees Scorpio

Ruler: Sun

Trumps: DEATH, THE SUN

“Crowley calls this card the influence of the sun on the water, and speaks of pleasure in its highest sense of effortless wellbeing, satisfaction of desire and fulfillment of sexual will. […] Harmony of the heart gives the ability to soar.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

The meanings here are so disparate that I would read the Thoth card differently to the Rider-Waite-Smith card.

In the Thoth, this card refers to pleasure in the present moment. In the RWS, it refers to memories of pleasure in the past.

My below keyword and interpretation are for the Rider-Waite-Smith system.

If using a Thoth system deck, the keyword for this card is PLEASURE, and the reverse is DISPLEASURE.

Upright Keyword: NOSTALGIA

Pleasant memories of the past.

A positive influence comes to the Querent from the past, from a long ago time of happiness and pleasure – things that are now gone.

Reversed Keyword: RENEWAL

The near future, and things that will presently come to pass.

Can also indicate that one is caught up in thoughts of the past, and needs to get over it.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Debauch

Decan: 20 to 29 degrees Scorpio

Ruler: Venus

Trumps: DEATH, THE EMPRESS

“Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially those of the fantastic spirit.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

“It is a card of weakness and delusions: Venus does not like the fading decan of Scorpio. What is needed for Victory is the ability to see through illusion.”

-M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

Upright Keyword: INDECISION

Fairy favors—things that are beautiful but fleeting.

Images of sentiment and imagination.

A difficult choice to be made between many options, but none of these can be seen clearly from this present point. Everything is muddled.

Be careful: false lights lead astray.

Reversed Keyword: AFFIRMATION

Desire, will, and determination.

One knows the course of action and must take it now.

You know the thing? Go do the thing.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Indolence

Decan: 0 to 9 degrees Pisces

Ruler: Saturn

Trumps: THE MOON, THE WORLD

“In practice, it is usually found that this card shows the decline of a matter, or that a matter which has been thought to be important is really of slight consequence.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

The Thoth view of this card differs from what’s below in a way that doesn’t synthesize easily into one definition.

But in my experience, the Thoth is not a useful translation of this card. So it isn’t listed here.

Sometimes when looking for utility and clarity of meaning, a respectful step away from Crowley is necessary. This is one of those times.

Upright Keyword: WALKING AWAY

The matter, undertaking, or concern that was at the center of one’s life until now has become stagnant- it has run aground.

Walking away, leaving behind something that feels good. Leaving stagnant relationships, stagnant situations.

The work is left unfinished, much is left behind in this leaving. But:

The moon is watching. One’s subconscious guides and one knows that moving on is necessary.

Reversed Keyword: RECONSIDER

Great joy, happiness and feasting.

One may feel the urge to move on, but should wait or reconsider.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Happiness

Decan: 10 to 19 degrees Pisces

Ruler: Jupiter

Trumps: THE MOON, WHEEL OF FORTUNE

“A goodly personage has feasted to his heart’s content, and abundant refreshment of wine is on the arched counter behind him, seeming to indicate that the future is also assured. The picture offers the material side only, but there are other aspects.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

Literally and metaphorically well fed. All needs and desires are easily met here.

Upright Keyword: HAVE IT ALL

Satisfaction on all levels: material, spiritual, emotional.

All aspects of the self are well-fed here. Pleasure to the body, pleasure to the mind, pleasure to the spirit, pleasure to the heart.

Fulfillment at every base level. One’s needs and desires are met.

Reversed Keyword: NEAR GOALS

Truth, loyalty, and liberty, but with faults and flaws. The picture is good, but imperfect.

One is not far from one’s goals.

Hermetic Title: Lord of Satiety (Perfected Success)

Decan: 20 to 29 degrees Pisces

Ruler: Mars

Trumps: THE MOON, THE TOWER

“As it is written: ‘Until a dart strike through his liver.’ The pursuit of pleasure has been crowned with perfect success: and constantly it is discovered that, having got everything that one wanted, one did not want it after all- now one must pay.”

--Aleister Crowley

“The element of water has reached its pinnacle and can go no further, and is thus due for disruption.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

Again, as you can tell from the quotes above, the Thoth system has a different interpretation of this card than mine below.

If you are using a Thoth system, the upright key word is SURFACE TENSION - think of a cup so full to that the liquid inside actually rises up above the brim just a little, held in by the invisible membrane of surface tension. One is so full now, even a single drop more will bring overflow.

This concept is also present in the RWS definition (and mine), but it’s more of an undertone to the overall joyful nature of the card.

Reversed keywords are the same.

Upright Keyword: REJOICE

A joyful emotional completion- the heart is full and content, and the drive is to embrace and celebrate the present.

Also indicates excess. A completion so full it’s just about ready to brim over…

Reversed Keyword: SELF-DECEPTION

Repose of the False Heart.

One may be caught up in disappointment over not living the fantasy life, and so not able to appreciate that which is in front of one’s face.

Thoth Title: Princess of Cups

Hermetic Title: Princess of the Waters, Lotus of the Palace of the Floods, Princess and Empress of the Nymphs and Undines, Throne of the Ace of Cups

Elemental Title: Earth of Water

Zodiacal Glyph: [Libra Scorpio Sagittarius)

Zone of Rulership: 0 degrees Libra to 29 degrees Sagittarius

Trumps: JUSTICE/ADJUSTMENT, DEATH, TEMPERANCE/ART

Related Minor: Ace of Cups

“The Princess of Cups brings a longing for divine union and exploration of the soul.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

“It is the pictures of the mind taking form.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

Upright Keyword: IMAGINATION

As a concept: A message received through meditation, a remarkable sense of imagination.

One acts, in response to intuition, to embody ideals.

The sphinx power of the Princess of Cups, and by extension the Page as well, is the power of AUDERE- to dare. Hesitation is not the way of this card. Ideal becomes feeling becomes action in a seamless flow.

Can be an indicator of a child on the way. Sometimes this is literal. Other times, the idea of conception here is more metaphorical– one takes in something external and gives it new life within themselves. This new thing is only a spark now, but in time it will be ready to emerge into the world.

As a person: A child, youth, or childlike adult with great imaginative and meditative qualities, predisposed to be of service.

Reversed Keyword: DELUSION

Attachment to things which are ultimately deception, seduction, artifice.

Or, the negative influence of a youthful person with these qualities.

Thoth Title: Prince of Cups

Hermetic Title: Prince of the Chariot of the Waters, Prince and Emperor of the Nymphs and the Undines.

Elemental Title: Air of Water

Zodiacal Glyph: Scorpio

Zone of Rulership: 20 degrees Libra to 20 degrees Scorpio

Associated Trumps: DEATH, JUSTICE/ADJUSTMENT

Associated Minors: IV OF SWORDS, V OF CUPS, VI OF CUPS

“The eagle can see into the waters with miraculous clarity, and as Air of Water the Prince can use reason to plumb the depths of the soul and emotions.”

--M. M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

“Riding quietly, wearing a winged helmet referring to those higher graces of the imagination that sometimes characterize this card. He, too, is a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

This card inherits and reconciles the two opposing forces of the six of cups- pleasure- and the five of cups- loss of pleasure.

Upright Keyword: INSPIRATION

This card is a messenger, a bearer of news.

As a concept: Can represent the approach of great inspiration: the ability to see clearly deep into the soul, to plumb the depths and to bring inspiration outward, without harm to the self.

As a person: An active person with a dreamlike nature.

Reversed Keyword: DUPLICITY

Trickery, artifice. Can mean a fleeting seduction which may hurt- a messenger of false love.

Or: the arrival of news which pulls one in many opposing directions.

Hermetic Title: The Queen of the Thrones of the Waters, Queen of the Nymphs and the Undines

Elemental Title: Water of Water

Zodiacal Glyph: Cancer

Zone of Rulership: 20 degrees Gemini to 20 degrees Cancer

Associated Trumps: THE CHARIOT, THE LOVERS

Associated Minors: II OF CUPS, III OF CUPS, X OF SWORDS

“Her related minors are the 2 and 3 of Cups- love and abundance- and her shadow card is the 10 of Cups- ruin. […] The light reveals which of her ideals are impractical for manifestation and signals the end of delusion. But this is a disruptive force of the serenity of her pure intention.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

“Beautiful, fair, dreamy- one who sees visions in a cup. But this is, however, only one of her aspects: She sees, but also she acts, and her activity feeds her dream.”

--A.E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot

Upright Keyword: INSIGHT

Intuition and reflective, inner sight.

Extraordinary insight verging on the psychic—one who sees visions in a cup.

Intuition and prophecy through dreams and meditations- these feed concrete actions in the life which in turn feeds further vision.

If the inner world is divided, this can bring disruption.

As a woman, she possesses honesty, clarity, insight, and is someone who can dissolve unconscious boundaries.

Reversed Keyword: BLOCKED INTUITION

One does not have access to one’s own intuition.

Or, the negative influence of a woman with intuitive or psychic qualities.

Thoth Title: Knight of Cups

Hermetic Title: The Lord of the Waves and the Waters, King of the Hosts of the Sea

Elemental Title: Fire of Water

Zodiacal Glyph: Pisces

Zone of Rulership: 20 degrees Aquarius to 20 degrees Pisces

Associated Trumps: THE MOON, THE STAR

Associated Minors: VIII OF CUPS, IX OF CUPS, VII OF SWORDS

“The lord of the waves and waters has a peacock with open wings as his crest—the peacock is a symbol of transcendental experience. The peacock here is also a symbol of the brilliance of water in its active phase.”

--M.M. Meleen, Liber Mundi

The fiery part of water means its forceful aspect.

The King (or Knight, in the Thoth) of Cups brings artistic inspiration and receptivity to divine will.

Upright Keyword: BALANCED

Steady, measured, and responsible creative intelligence.

A balance of masculine and feminine energy.

As a person, this King is an even-handed, even-tempered man of influence to the Querent. Possibly this is an influential person who reflects a balance of masculine and feminine gender qualities.

Reversed Keyword: VICE

Reflecting life imbalance caused by scandal, uncontrollable vice, dirty dealing.

Or- a dishonest, double dealing man. A liar who is believed and beloved.

The Querent who suffers from the negative influence of this man (or person) can expect to be disregarded or disbelieved by those outside the situation. He is protected because his other face is not seen by the world, and as such the odds will continue to fall in his favor, for now.