Card Meaning: Seven Of Cups
General
Strange chalices of visions indeed, gems, wreath of victory, castles and
alike on one side, dragon and snake on the other. This card is about choices and
expectations. In this case most expectations are based on wishful thinking and
imagination. This is indicated by the fact that chalices are positioned up in
the clouds. While imagination is a positive trait, to base real life expectation
solely on imagination opens one to dissappointment and loss which is clearly
portrayed with snake and dragon. Temptation is also a theme of this card, some
choices that seems seductive on the short term are debilitating for our life in
general. This card being in the Cups suit obviously points to extent of foolish
sexual behaviour as a prototype of wrong choices.
Reading
Positive:
imagination, freedom of choice, high aspirations.
Negative: delusion, overestimating one's ability, seduction, wrong choice.
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially those of the
fantastic spirit. Divinatory Meanings: Fairy favours, images of
reflection, sentiment, imagination, things seen in the glass of contemplation;
some attainment in these degrees, but nothing permanent or substantial is
suggested. Reversed: Desire, will, determination, project.
— The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, by A.E. Waite