Does the Five of Cups foretell misery or healing?

Today’s journal includes my thoughts concerning the Five of Cups influencing my future. Naturally, I find myself thinking of misery, especially with the image from the Murder of Crows tarot deck seen below. However, why does it have to signal misery especially since I have been doing a lot of inner healing?

Misery or healing with the five of cups?

Every tarot card has both positive and negative influences. It’s the dualistic aspect of nature that there is always an opposite. Indeed, I have learned to challenge every ill feeling or thought to find its counter opposite. So, upon seeing the Five of Cups, I instantly felt anxiety rising within however, I challenged it with some rationality.

Inner Healing with Reiki

Allow me to put my thoughts into context, especially in regard to my healing work.

Recently, I have been using my Reiki to assist me with inner child healing. This is primarily thanks to one of my clients who asked me for help with the third symbol of Reiki, commonly known as the ‘distant healing’ symbol.

I’m a strong believer in practicing what you preach. Therefore, I took it upon myself to do my own inner healing with this symbol due to deep routed childhood trauma. It keeps rearing its ugly head and lately, it has been in the form of imposter syndrome. When I believe I have faced it and moved on from my past, it returns. I now refer to this process as my Reiki Onion. You can read more about my Reiki Onion here.

Misery or Healing?

Each of us has a choice when it comes to feeling miserable, down, or hurt. We can either dwell on it and suppress those feelings, or we can face the pain head on and unfortunately feel it. As a result of feeling the pain for a few minutes, you begin healing.

For many years, even decades, I have dwelled and supressed those feelings of hurt. So many times, I have often asked myself silently, ‘why me, what is wrong with me’? As a result, those feelings that are hidden deep within my subconscious have most definitely held me back in life. Even now, I cannot tell you if I am fully healed as my Reiki Onion will no doubt reveal. What I do know is that each layer revealed makes me stronger and happier.

Five of Cups Warning

The Five of Cups therefore warns us that to dwell on these negative feelings doesn’t serve us. There does indeed, comes a time when we need to release the misery, face some truths about ourselves and heal in the process.

Summarising my misery or healing journey

My future influences with the Five of Cups, prompted this journal. Journalling assists me with comprehending my thoughts. Additionally, I also have to bear in mind the other two cards in this three-card spread.

The Seven of Wands is representing my past and influencing my present situation. I do see victory in overcoming battles such as imposter syndrome. I read something recently. Instead of allowing imposter syndrome to hold you back, use it to motivate you and go all out. Of course, I did this. I cracked on and overcame some problems.

The Two of Discs is my present situation and feelings.

Decisions!

I have a few challenges at this moment in time. I find myself thinking, what to do first and I’m very much present with weighing up the pros and cons. Unfortunately, even though I am trying to accept some current difficulties, my anxiety is lurking. Even though I refuse to allow anything irrational to hold me back, I’m finding it extremely difficult to accept challenging situations, and go with the flow. Perhaps this is the universe testing me?

Summarising the Five of Cups

If you look at the Five of Cups Rider, Waite, Smith card, you will see a cloaked figure with their back to you.

They are looking down, and you do get a feeling of sadness. In front of them is a winding river or stream with a bridge in the distance leading to some buildings. It’s a key moment because, you have the choice of staying and feeling down, or going with the flow, crossing the river to gain security and stability.

The choice is mine!

As a result of moving myself forward, I will be taking that step to face those uneasy feelings but, in the process, I am healing. Soon, the gifts of doing so will be rewarded with the Six of Cups.