Welcome to The Psychology of Tarot, a series that offers a Jungian reimagining of the cards as pathways into the psyche. Each episode draws on a key psychological concept and archetypal themes to offer insights that deepen both inner work and your tarot practice.
Today, I’m exploring the relationship between the VII of Cups and projection. This card, rich with images of fantasy, desire, fear, and overwhelming choices, is often read as a call to get grounded, to see things as they truly are.
But what if, instead, we viewed this moment as an encounter with our projections? An invitation to sit with the images, not dismiss them, and to trace them back to their psychic origins.
In this episode I cover:
The classic definition and interpretations of the VII of Cups
Quotes from The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite, 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, The Symbolic Life by C.G. Jung and Psychotherapy by Marie-Louise von Franz
How the VII of Cups connects to projection and the challenge of discernment
A Jungian perspective on working with and withdrawing projections
The VII of Cups as a call to engage with, rather than turn away from, fantasy, illusion and images
Example readings and approaches to interpreting the card in a psychological context
Join the conversation
How do you navigate working with projections? Does the imagery of the VII of Cups remind you of another psychological concept? How do you typically read the card?
Discussion about this episode
Share this post
Really fascinated to hear your (re)interpretation of the card. I've always been drawn to this card and felt it had deep significance not only for me personally (I am a fantasy novelist after all!) but above and beyond other minor arcana in general. One should not play favourites perhaps but it is fascinating how certain symbols and myths align in one's life and psyche. Thanks for insight!
Fascinating indeed how we are drawn to particular images, figures, myths. There's usually an underlying pattern there that has significance, something that speaks to a particular archetypal imprint within.
Which deck do you read with?
Love your wisdom Alyssa, I think we sing from a similar hymnbook. I'm looking forward to learning more from you. Encounters with Horus led me to a deep exploration of that archetype / mythic figure. I read with a Rider Waite-based deck at the moment (a bling Baroque version, haha), though I am very familiar with the Thoth Tarot as, in times past, I was deep into Qabbalah. I also created my own Draconian Tarot, based on the praxis of the Draconian Current & The Book of Q'ab iTz, but it was never fully realised. What about you?
I read mostly with the Rider Waite Smith deck but I do like to use some of the ones featured above, Terra Volatile (which has an additional minor arcana suit based on alchemy), the Aquarian tarot, as well as Pagan Otherworlds.
A new suite?! Now this I might have to check out. Thank you for sharing! I do think the Rider Waite is immensely solid and respected for a reason. If it ain't broke, and all that!
I did a few readings with the deck here if you want to check it out: https://www.theartemisian.com/p/tarot-and-alchemy
Wow such much on here to check out! Definitely haven’t seen this deck before so that’s exciting ✨🦋
Is your Draconian tarot published? It sounds intriguing!
Incredibly kind of you to ask! It is not published. I originally was going to illustrate it myself, but I soon realised I simply did not have the skill to pull it off to satisfaction! I suppose it could still happen if I encountered an artist who was up for it and tuned into that wavelength!
I’m looking for an artist as well so I can totally relate. I’m in the same position, I’ve written and designed a deck, but the artistic execution is where I need to collaborate!
Very curious about your deck, given your username. I've subbed (thanks for yours by the way). Looking forward to learning more from you!
Thanks! My deck is called Forest Monarch Tarot. Really focusing on the Nature, with deep symbolism. I made a simple deck for web purposes, you can see each card I made at the top of my posts for the In-Depth Analysis of the Cards!
I’m laughing at the synchronicity of pulling the seven of cups just the other day. My initial response when reading this card is opportunity, overwhelmed, and discernment. Alike my experience with most projections, i first attend to affective states in my body with a moment of stillness, what sensations are here and how is my musculature forming. Is this inflation or deflation? Am I giggling with excitement and pleasure or repulsed and fuming with anger? After addressing my body, I go into analysis. Brining forth the relationship/person/place and compassionately allowing all to be here, letting shadows be seen and the golden aura to melt into self-realization.
When each opportunity feels neutral, yet one or two spark something in the belly or heart, I focus on those.
Love the embodied approach described here. Admittedly, I don't usually begin with somatic states or sensations. Although, I find when I finally do get there, it's some of the most grounding and surprising experiences I can have.
I love love this new series! I would love to see this for all the suits of the minor arcana cards. This 7 of cups perspective brought a new layer I really enjoyed. Thank you Alyssa for this fascinating and inspirational content!! xo
Thanks for your feedback! The tarot suits are a great suggestion, adding that to my list :)
Such an insightful talk! I’ve used tarot as my personal healing tool for a few years now and VII of cups has always felt like “disillusionment” for me. It’s a very interesting take to also utilize Jungian theory of the self here. Would you mind sharing the books you referred to in the talk? I’d love to read more on it.
Thanks for listening :) The books are:
- The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite
- 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
- The Symbolic Life by C.G. Jung
- Psychotherapy by Marie-Louise von Franz
Thank you so much! Look forward to your future posts!
You’re welcome!
This was very insightul, I feel like this card has many more layers of meaning now. I am going to go back over all my notes and see when I drew this card. Thank you
It's exciting when new ways of viewing the cards arise, feels like I am constantly learning and growing with them. Is there another card you'd like to see featured in the series?
I’ve always been fascinated by the Ace of Cups, so that would be an interesting one.
This is a good one! Adding to the list :)