The Two of Cups features an elegantly dressed man and woman exchanging golden goblets in a wide green meadow, with rolling hills in the background. Above them hovers the symbol of the Caduceus of Hermes, a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it, which is an ancient representation of healing and wisdom as well as trade, negotiation, and exchange. At the top of this staff is the figure of a lion’s head, signifying passion and fiery energy. Below it, the two figures face each other with ease and openness, their goblets in hand. What are they exchanging? Information? Business negotiations? Love notes? It could be any of these – what is perhaps most important to observe is that the exchange is done equally, openly, and honorably. What if they combined their skills, gifts, or desires? The fire indicative of this card combines and transforms their strengths, like alchemy, so that the two people reach a higher, deeper, more empowered version of themselves than they would have if they remained alone.
The right partnership, whether in art, business or romance can be a game changer. Like Celine Dion and her manager and husband René Angélil. Or country music legends Johnny and June Cash. Or superstar David Bowie and supermodel Iman. The right partnership creates a third energy, a unique momentum that can be stronger than anything we could ever experience solo. For it to work, however, we must be authentic with ourselves. We must represent ourselves while still being able to listen and consider another person’s point of view. It’s a delicate but very essential balancing act that requires a certain degree of self-awareness, social intelligence, and compassion for others. Establishing trust is a careful business that cannot be rushed and as the Two of Cups shows us, it is fundamental in successful collaborations.
When this card makes itself known in a reading, an important partnership is soon to develop. Now is the time to be open-minded and flexible in your thinking. Look outside of the box to discover that key relationship, creative merger, life-changing partnership, or deep romance that is waiting for you. Now is the time to take a moment to check in with yourself as well, for it is equally important for you to know what you want in order to move forward clearly. You must know what you want to exchange with someone else. How do you fill your cup?
First, fill it with Rose Petals, a plant ally that speaks perfectly to the Two of Cups and budding new relationships. The rose is often seen as a symbol of the union between the divine feminine and masculine energies. The soft petals represent the nurturing and compassionate aspects of the feminine, while the sturdy stem and thorns symbolize the strength and protection associated with the masculine. Roses, a hearty perennial shrub found throughout Asia, southwest Africa, and Europe as well as North America, grow wild in thickets but have also been produced domestically for centuries, resulting in thousands of hybrid varieties. But besides being cultivated for their sheer beauty and association with romance, the petals of the rose also have medicinal benefits. Rose petals can be made into a jam or syrup to ease digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. A warm infusion of the petals makes rose water, which is a natural toner for the skin and can help to soothe irritation, reduce redness, and improve overall skin health. Or enjoy a bath in rose petals, a relaxing way to soak up their hydrating, anti-aging properties. Rose petal tea is high in Vitamin C, Iron, and Calcium. It can help alleviate menstrual cramps as well as improve your immune system, reduce mild cold or flu symptoms, and also bring on a sense of calm. The lovely aromatic and volatile oils of rose have been shown to have anti-depressant effects, improving both mood and sexual dysfunction.
Rose petals and the Two of Cups show us the gifts inherent in trusting and collaborating with a partner throughout our journey in life. Romantic or otherwise, relationships that are centered on equality, respect, and clear communication bloom with the brightest flowers.
*Tarot reading is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Card deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith
References
Hsiuying Wang. “Beneficial Medicinal Effects and Material Applications of Rose.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 15 January 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38169957/
New World Encyclopedia Contributors. "Caduceus." New World Encyclopedia, 25 Nov 2023. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Caduceus&oldid=1128712
Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom. San Francisco, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2007. P205-206
Safieh Mohebitabar, Mahboobeh Shirazi, Sodabeh Bioos, et al. “Therapeutic Efficacy of Rose Essential Oil: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Evidence.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 7 June 2017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5511972/
