Tarot Card of the Week – December 19-25, 2011: Ten of Cups

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
~ Buddha

Joy to the world! Tidings of comfort and joy!  Blessings overflowing to each and every one!  In this magical week that brings the celebration of the ancient Winter Holidays, we welcome the Ten of Cups.

The Cups in the Tarot are our emotions, particularly love, as well as intuition, healing and empathy. And the Tens are the fulfillment, plus some, of those qualities. So this is a card of harmony, wonder and deep happiness.

We see the joyful couple holding each other gently, celebrating the appearance of the cup-crowned rainbow, as the two little children dance joyfully. In the distance is their modest home, and a clear horizon.

As has been noted before, this is another of Pamela Colman Smith’s “stage” cards, referring to the horizontal line across the card that looks like a stage. This certainly gives the appearance of the happily-ever-after ending of a play or story.

Rainbows, of course, are often considered a sign of Divine blessings, forgiveness, and protection. They may also be a bridge, like the Norse Bifrost, that connects the human realms (Midgard) with the Divine (Asgard, land of the Gods).

Here, human happiness reaches the transcendent threshold of Divine connectedness. We are given the realization that, at the ending of the story, our joy and the joy of God(dess) are one.

This week, the Tarot advises, let us open our hearts in pure gladness and thanksgiving. By so doing, we can realize how closely we walk with the Divine.

Yes, many are the challenges and troubles that each of us may be facing individually, and as a global community.

But look closely at your fellow humans, whether they are the ones in the lane next to you on the highway, the ones in the office across the hall, the ones jammed into the shopping check-out lines.  They may be people marching in the streets, or sleeping in the streets. They may be the near or faraway victims of crime, war and injustice.

Whether they wear helmets,  or saris, or blue jeans, or turbans, or bhirka —  these make no difference at all!  Whatever the color of their skin, whatever language they speak, whatever their income may be, whoever they prefer to love, whatever Holy Days they are, or are not, celebrating now — it really does not matter.

The Ten of Cups shows us that beneath all the subtleties, complexities and challenges of our world, the formula for happiness for each one of us remains quite simple.  All we really want is a secure and happy home, a sense of purpose and belonging, hope for the future, and soulful, contented connection with our beloveds.

We now reach the climax of the most powerful season of healing, forgiveness, and sharing. These are our holidays of gift-giving, of ancient magic, of the renewal of hope, life, and love. Now is the rebirth of the Divine Promise.

If family problems have troubled you, or if other relationships have been suffering with tension or conflict, seize this golden opportunity to create peace. If financial worries or other concerns have been taking up your energy, look at the incredible love that fills this world of ours. Realize that if you have the wherewithal to be reading this, you have much to give thanks for.

This week, know that even the most complicated, painful human situations can be resolved by the power of love. In fact, nothing else ever really works. While strife, danger, and sorrow are certainly a part of our reality, remember that there is a rainbow through which the truth will always shine.

Joy and harmony need not be based on the whim of outside circumstances, or on a once-a-year holiday.

Happiness is the gift we share, and thus it is magnified, again and again. Together we cross the rainbow bridge and discover the secret of Heaven.

Love is who and what we are.