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7 of Water Illusion

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(2016), pencil on paper, 5.5"x10.5" backed with digital frame.

The 7s are associated with the energies of Venus and at the danger of harping on old stereotypes of the feminine they are involved with a view of the world colored by emotion, wishful thinking and misconceptions. Things are not always how they seem to us, either because we didn’t have all the facts or because something bent and warped our interpretation of what we saw.

For the Cups and the domain of emotions misconceptions usually mean that we view the world distorted by what we want to see or are afraid to see. We are ruled by our desires and hang-ups and lose our grip on reality. We may give up the autonomy of our own selves by fleeing into daydreams, pseudo-religion, following false leaders or hiding in drug-induced dream-worlds. Or perhaps we are trapped in a relationship where we idolize our partner and see them not as he or she is, but as we wish them to be. In any case the danger of misleading ourselves is great.

In the Rider-Waite deck a black-clad figure stands facing away from the viewer and intently contemplates a cloud-bank that holds 7 cups filled with various symbols such as a beautiful face, a shrouded figure, a snake, a castle, glowing jewels, a laurel crown and a dragon or gargoyle. Some symbols seem desirable and could represent dreams or desires, other perhaps stand for fears or temptations. In contrast the Crowley-Harris deck emphasizes more of the negative aspects of the card as seven cups are elevated over brown, stagnant waters and are overflowing with green, slimy, poisonous-looking liquid that drops down into the dead waters below.

To combine the element of Water with the concept of illusion I chose a scene in a desert where in actuality there is no water, but the layers of heated air create the mirage of seven low hills that appear to be reflected in a lake. The unwitting traveler could be tempted to head further into the inhospitable landscape tempted by something that isn’t there. In contrast to this the two camels in the foreground can survive in this environment, because they know how to find water and have the right instincts that will help them thrive.

If drawn the card warns us to take a reality check to what we think we see. We could be lost in day-dreams, have our head in the clouds or be so focused on our inner needs that we are slapping our own interpretation on our surroundings. We need to make sure that we do not follow the mirage of our wishful thinking into danger or cower in fear before horror-scenarios that we have constructed in our minds. Day-dreams or visualizations can be powerful tools to motivate us and to safely conduct mental experiments, but we need to be aware of what we are doing and that these things are in our thoughts and not necessarily reflect an objective truth.

For a relationship-related question the card may indicate that we are viewing a partnership or friendship either through rose-tinted glasses or motivated by our fears. Perhaps we are so terrified of rejection or loss that we start pushing someone away because we react with excessive jealousy. We could also be attracted to someone not because of who they really are, but because of who we imagine them to be. They are not being seen as themselves but as some ideal of perfection that we have constructed of them. Alternatively you could be in a relationship where someone else is having a distorted vision of you projecting their fears, desires or hang-ups on you instead of accepting you for who you really are.

For a business-related question you are called to bring a healthy dose of realism to a situation. People may try and sell you solutions that look desirable or seem to alleviate your fears but their promises won’t hold water. Get second opinions and research the reviews and experiences of others before you make up your mind to buy. If you want to use brainstorming to solve a problem be rigorous when you implement the solution and keep a pragmatic outlook.

If the card is uncovered in an adverse or blockage position it could mean that you are overwhelmed by choices or that you are trying to flee from unpleasant realizations into fantasies and make-believe. Part of you is afraid to face the facts and you want to hide and lie to yourself as long as possible rather than to acknowledge the truth.

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Comments5
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I really wish I could have this deck.. Right nowXD it's SO good and I cannot wait! To have a set! Great job! Masterful work! I've enjoyed watching you successfully almost complete this project bravo!