🌖 This exercise was originally shared to the email list on January 4, 2021. Enjoy!

⚡ Every tarot card carries its own unique story. In Tarot Links, we view the cards not only as separate entities, but as links that create a whole chain. We use the cards that follow the first to help us see the different facets of the card's face. By stringing the stories of the cards together, we are able to experience special nuances that perhaps without the surrounding cards, we would not have otherwise explored. I hope you enjoy!

The King of Cups, 8 of Cups, 6 of Pentacles, 4 of Wands

The King of Cups leads by examples of compassion, loyalty, empathy, sincerity. Their abundance was granted to be shared, and the King embraces this call. The King of Cups actively listens to people, whether they are strangers, enemies or people the King holds dear. The King has a big heart and can sometimes get carried away over promising, and consequently, under-delivering.

The King of Cups does not like to make promises they cannot keep. Letting people down that they sincerely intended on helping doesn't feel good or fun. But what to do about it? Spirit calls the King to have boundaries as firm as their heart is hopeful. Spirit challenges them to be honest about how much of their energy they are truly able give and in what ways. They are challenged to be honest about when they can't help, too. To be realistic about what you can and can't expect of them.

The King, through commitment to their spiritual practice, learns that the only way they are able to give to others is to first give to to themselves. They must spend time filling their Cup (mind, body and spirit) to be able to pour into others. And it's so worth it! It's so worth it because what they desire, what they are called by spirit to do, is to pour into others!! Which is part of why caring for the self can feel confusing, or lazy or selfish. But to truly lead by example, as the King desires to do, they must give themselves the same tender care that they offer to others. They must be willing to admit when they, too, are in need of assistance (and be brave enough to ask for it, humble enough to receive it).

I am also hearing that a the lesson of boundaries is a lifelong struggle for the King of Cups. This isn't to discourage the King, but rather to remind the King to give themselves grace.

Reflection Questions

Sit with a journal and ask your spirits of the light to assist you in reflecting on the questions below. Perhaps pull a tarot card for each of the questions to guide you.

• [ ] In what ways are you of service to others?

• [ ] In what ways do you desire to be of service to others?

• [ ] In what ways are you doing yourself disservice?

• [ ] In what ways are you actively of service to yourself? How can you protect this part of your practice?