January 5, 2010 - The Maiden of Teacups (Page of Cups)

Joan Bunning, of learntarot.com, writes: "The Page of Cups is Cupid bringing you opportunities for love. He delivers real chances to experience romance, deep feelings and the inner life - the wonders of the Cups suit. In readings, this Page suggest that an opening may appear that stirs your emotions, pulls at your heartstrings or brings you great joy. When you see such a chance, act on it!" So when this page comes up in a reading, he's telling you not just to act on opportunities, but to be -- be intuitive, be emotional, be intimate, be loving. Often we draw to us what we put out. By offering opportunities, opportunities are offered to us.

In the Jane Austen Tarot, the Page of Cups is called the Maiden of Teacups and is represented by Marianne Dashwood of the novel Sense and Sensibility. Marianne is Sensibility. She is passionate and emotional and sees with her heart not her mind, so she sees what she wants to see and not reality. Yes Willoughby has feelings for her. He may be just as passionate. He may even love her but he is not without sense. He knows the reality of his situation, a young man with a title but no money, who needs an heiress to allow him to keep his estates and to live in the manner to which he has grown accustomed. He may love Marianne but he won't marry her. He has not the courage to make himself but needs to marry his comfort and success.

When the Maiden of Teacups arises in a reading, she reminds you to look hard at the facts as opposed to the pretty fictions you prefer. An all or nothing approach is not always the best. Marianne experiences the heights of passion but Willoughby's rejection sends her into the depths of despair nearly killing her. At midlife I found myself the Maiden of Teacups. I knew great joy but also deep despair. And like Marianne I nearly killed myself (with a little help from genetics). This is a fine place for a young woman at the beginning of her life but not for someone firmly in the middle. Can sense and sensibility co-exist? Can there be passion tempered with clarity and discernment? Can we love deeply and well, knowing the good and the bad? It may be time to find out.

What Would Jane Do?

"Sensitivity without sense is as useless as sense without sensitivity, and far more preposterous. It is difficult to laugh at sense, but sensitivity without the balance of good judgement provides a veritable font for derision. Sensibility is an essential portion in the configuration of a lady, but discretion in application and public displays is necessary as well."