Five of Cups

In the lower area of the card we can see four cups, leaking. One cup is over floating. The four cups represent the fountains, running dry and becoming marshy. The fifth, over floating cup is symptomatic for an operation, which has been exaggerated and therefor ends in an extreme. Addictions, dependencies, or unhealthy relationships usually reach a desperate point, before they lead to destruction, or a total downfall. This extreme is symbolized by this fifth, shattered cup.
Together, the flow which runs out of the cups form an inverted pentagram. Cockroaches, flies, and worms are emerging from the unhealthy stream. The whole scenery is situated in a desert, as a hint, that there is no more escape or distraction – we have to face the inner depths now.
In the middle, the demon (or core) of the mischief finally takes form and shows its true nature. Often, the disasters we get into, can only be seen clearly at this extreme point of our lives. Before this devastating and final situation, the demon often masks himself as being „under control“ or even a good companion – but not anymore! Finally, we can observe his true face and get to know it’s nature. The vortex in his stomach is symbolic for a hunger, that can never be satisfied. No matter how much we feed to this inner demon, he will never have enough – there will not be a moment of satisfaction!
This card seems scary, but it is a real opportunity to change something. Symbolically speaking, only in his true form the „demon“ is vulnerable and can be faced and maybe even be defeated. The nimbus does not longer seem holy or sacred, but we can recognize, it is composed of worms. A once symbiotic relationship may finally be disclosed as parasitic in nature. In his left hand, the personified dependence is proudly holding up a globe. He shows us, that the entire world is dependent and under his control. But look at his other hand. Under a protected dome, we can observe a fragile plant emerging from an egg. This young seedling represents the promise that, once the seemingly almighty demon is conquered, we can emerge from this experience victorious. We may develop into someone entirely refurbished and free of the part, that died during the fight. Because the world is seen at a different ankle, this card is strongly connected to the major arcana of „XII – The Hanged Man“ and because of the act of falling to „XVI – The Tower“ as well. Connected symbolism can be found in both of these archetypical sceneries.
Don’t be disappointed, if the major fight can’t be won at the first try, because the demons seem to be too mighty. To realize the situation is the first step and it is a universal law, that if we back off, regroup, develop a strategy, and try repeatedly, that one day we will succeed in our endeavour.