By Sarah Taylor
What happens when last week’s Seven of Cups becomes the Eight of Cups? They’re in the same positions, on the left of the reading, and there is some significance to that. But what does it mean, where is it taking you, and what is your inner guidance system telling you about the circumstances you’re facing (albeit from what feels like a totally different perspective)?
Eight of Cups, The Hanged Man, Death from the Haindl Tarot deck, created by Hermann Haindl. Click on the image for a larger version.
Last week, I wrote of the Seven of Cups that it “speaks of an imbalance in the watery, emotional areas of life, and also of the one true path out of it.”
The Eight of Cups is the point where the imbalance becomes apparent enough that a clear a step in a different direction is the way to clarity. It’s when you know the best way you can handle what’s happening is through the acceptance that your energy — your heart — is better invested elsewhere.
The Eight of Cups helps you to know, in that heart of hearts of yours, the one true path you were seeking in the Seven. It encourages you to turn and search it out; it encourages you not to stay where you are for long. Your work here is done. The card speaks of “Failure” but there’s an invitation to consider “failure” in a different light from the one we tend to default to:
It is not you who is a failure. Nor is anyone else. It is simply a situation that has failed. It is worn down, worn thin, worn out. The wear and tear of a particular way of feeling, of an emotional approach or assumption.
Consider the concept of “failure” when it no longer has to be accompanied by shame or humiliation. It is a neutral description of a particular state. It isn’t about “should’ve” and “could’ve.” It also assists you in reaching a greater understanding of where it is that you are in your life, with yourself, and with others. It does this by creating the conditions that bring you into the realm of the card at centre, The Hanged Man.
You are perfectly on track. How could it be otherwise? This is your track to walk, it is unique, and the only mistakes are ones of misperception. You are here. How can you be anywhere else? And where you are is in a state of suspended grace, where you are afforded the opportunity to see your world in a completely new light.
You are connecting with a wisdom that wouldn’t have been available to you if you had not kept still enough — held in a place of surrender long enough — to let your hair, the seat of your waking consciousness, root itself into the earth. It is here, upside-down, that you are fed differently; you are fed by what lies beneath: the rich, fertile soils of all that has come before you, and all that you unwittingly pass over when you see only the surface of things.
The Hanged Man is the grace that you open to when you say, “Okay, I give up. This isn’t working anymore. I am through walking the same steps down an all-too-familiar route that holds no further charm for me. Those charms have all been spent. Now. Show me something new.”
And there, suspended, something new blooms. Another leaf replaces the one that is shed in the final card, Death. The Hanged Man and Death appear in this reading as they do in the Major Arcana itself, cards XII and XIII, respectively. Under these circumstances, what you are looking at is the surrender into transformation. First, there is the crucifixion; then there is the resurrection.
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You are brought back to life after your suspension; you are returned to the upperworld, where nothing may seem to have changed, but everything is different. The colours of the rainbow in The Hanged Man shift into the subtle hues of the feathers on the throat of the peacock that heralds a sweeping away of what has become old and dry.
Did I say “subtle”? Yes, for now. Nothing may seem to have changed, but at the edges of your awareness a new spectrum is dawning out of the misty air. For now, your outer vision will be limited as you tend to what’s cooking within.
The peacock knows this, overseer of what is passing away and witness of what is coming through. His tail may be celebrated for for its breathtaking beauty, but that is because the peacock is a master of keeping it under wraps, and unfurling it at just the right moment, when everything is in place.
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As all things come to a conclusion and a point of transformation, so it is that my wonderful six years writing for Planet Waves is meeting its own conclusion in today’s reading.
It was Eric’s intuitive hunch in 2010 that I might be able to write about tarot that started off a period of rapid expansion in my relationship with tarot, and it has been both nurtured and supported by both Eric, and my editor-extraordinaire Amanda Painter, over the ensuing years.
My time working at Planet Waves has seen me through raising my son from toddler to tween; a divorce; relocation; the death of my mother (thank you for teaching me the value of tarot, Mum); fearless exploration; and a career redefinition. I list all of these because, through them all, Planet Waves was a source of knowledge, encouragement, a constant presence — and instrumental in many of the decisions I took that got me from there to here.
And now it’s time to pay my deepest respects, and shift into something new; to move further into my own life and experiments with my art. If anyone is interested, they can keep in touch with me by visiting my website (www.integratedtarot.com).
What is left to say is, “Thank you.” Thank you beyond adequate words, and, as always, they will have to do.
With love,
Sarah
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: Eight of Cups (Saturn in Pisces), The Hanged Man (Neptune), Death (Scorpio)
If you want to experiment with tarot cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator using the Celtic Wings spread, which is based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article explains how to use the spread.
dear Sarah, I am so sad to read that this is your last PW tarot post. I have been reading your wise words for most of your time at PW, and on many occasions over these years, gained insight, felt supported and learnt much from your interpretations.
By using the Haindl deck more recently, you have helped me look at the cards in a whole new way and I am grateful for that.
Wishing you joy, safety and success on your path ahead
Many thanks and blessings to you xx
Many thanks, beleclaire – the Haindl deck has also been showing me the cards in a new light! 🙂
You will be sorely missed, Sarah. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and talent with us. May your path bring abundant blessing and growth, peace, love and Light.
Thank you, Jude <3
I’ve always loved your sensitive interpretations of the weekly tarot cards. Best of luck and warmest wishes to you as you set off on the next phase of your journey!
Thank you, Elizabeth! 🙂
Dear Sarah you will be missed. My Sunday morning ritual has been my coffee, clove cigarette and you column. Blessings as you continue your journey!
Thank you, Gwen – and feel free to drop by my website any time. S
I’ve always found your interpretation of the cards very inspirational, Sarah. Not just the readings but your choice of decks has opened up previously undisclosed avenues for me. Thank you for your many insights and the encouragement to engage more fully with life which these have engendered. It’s been a joy, honour and privilege to read your words each week. Good fortune on your forward journey.
Thank you for your beautiful words, Geoff.
My thanks to you, Sarah! You have been something I’ve looked forward to every Sunday. Best wishes, and see you on your new site!
Thank you, mpnunan! 🙂
Sarah, it’s been a delight. Thank you so much for all your brilliant posts. As the others say, you will be very much missed; but I wish you all the best for the next leg of your journey.
Lots of love
Amy xx
(((( Amy )))) xxx
Sarah,
Your insight and your intuition have unfailingly amazed and enchanted us. Sometimes I’d save your column til Monday to savour it and ponder it in quiet. Thank you. Although you’ll be missed, I wish you all the best as you travel your new road. (This final column was spot-on, too, for me.) Thank you again for sharing your gifts and knowledge, and thank you, Planet Waves, for opening that space for sharing and seeing.
Namaste,
Sara
Your words are appreciated very much, Sara – thank you!
Sarah,
May the next leg(s) of your journey be filled with your heart’s desires and many years of awe and wonder along the way. Your writing deepened my experiences and helped open my mind and heart. Thank you!
You’re welcome, gumbybug – and thank *you*!
Sarah……………I send you light for your new path………..I wish for you the best…………I will really miss you………you and your talents are amazing…………there have been many times that I have reread your work… and..as with this pc. ……………you are on it …..SURRENDER is not easy…………..but there is so much to be gained from being “still”………BE WELL…………..THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GIFTS…………………
And thank you, Barbara – so much!!
We all need to move along from time to time. I wish you great adventures and learning — and the knowledge that you have helped many people along your own path.
Fay – thank you for your words and wishes xx
Thank you for your unique gifts…..you will be missed!!!
And I will miss being here, Leana. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Sarah.
With your insightful readings you have been a dear and trusted companion in my journey these last few years.
I wish you all the best
Melissa
Thank you, Queen of Wands, Melissa! 🙂
You have been a balm for the fevered brow Sarah.
Thank You for coming into our lives.
You brought the beauty and elegance and mystery of Tarot Cards and their readings into my awareness …
Namaste
vince
Namaste, and a whole lot of gratitude, vince.
Thank YOU Sarah 🙂 BE well!
lindeelou
You, too, lindeelou! 🙂
Thank you for this stunning reading, dear Sarah. Like all your readings, it gives me the hope, strength and courage to persevere. And thank you for sharing your exceptional gifts with us here all this time, dear Sarah – your readings were the highlight of my Sunday evening, and I too will really miss you. As well as your gifts, you have grace, courage, humour and humility, and whatever you turn your hand to next is sure to blossom beautifully. I join my friends here in wishing you the very very best for the next part of your journey. And include one of my favourite songs ever:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhJp0W0ku2w
What a moving song, Lizzy – it was good to hear it this morning. Many, many thanks for your company and support here over the years xx
I’m very sad to hear you are leaving. I look forward to this post every Sunday. It’s one of my Sunday rituals… to slow down, breathe, and slowly read your offering. My best to you going forward. Take care..
Thank you, Stephanie – my best to you too!
Best to you on your Journey, Sarah. Thank you for the pleasure of experiencing your insightful and exquisite tarot readings. I have learned much from you. You’ll be missed.
((((((( sojourn )))))) Thank you!
SARAH…I shall miss your voice and insight…I had a birthday on April 17th and it’s just amaxing and wonderful how the past month you seemed to be speaking directly to me…cannot thank you enough for now…so much to absorb and accept still. but you’ve given me a wider vista to see…Thank you and I’ll be trying to find you online wherever you’ll be! Good luck!
Thank you, Alaine!
Thank you from my heart Sarah; your readings have been such a special part of my Sundays, and my journey with the tarot, for so long now; I wish you happiness and prosperity; Blessings!
Thank you, Dorothy – blessings to you too!
God your good!! I am an avid reader of Planet Waves for about 10 years now and I remember when you started 🙂
I never left a reply here but I will make an exception today: I want to tell you how much you helped me understand what was going on “around” me so I could make the best of life’s lessons and you were always a Light on my path dear Sarah. I will deeply miss our weekly “rendez-vous”.
Have a Fabulous next adventure and I will definitely “visit” you on your web site. Great success to you and blessings!
Thank you, thank you, Chantal. Blessings to you too!