Herbal Tarot - Five of Cups - Horsetail

Soaring Eagle

You can see the minor arcane cards in Constellation 5.

Description: A man is sitting on the ground; his arms are on his knees. There are five chipped cups, three are upright and two are tipped over and spilling their contents on the ground. A large horsetail plant is behind the man. In the distance are mountains, and the sky is stormy.

Significant Details: The cups symbolize containing emotions or life forces. The horsetail plant symbolizes internal healing. The stormy sky represents troubles or problems. The mountains are the gateways to the spirit realm.

Keywords: Regret, Loss, Self-Pity, Disappointment, Mourning, Melancholy, Depression

Medicinal Uses: Horsetail “is an astringent diuretic used for acute inflammation of the urinary tract and incontinence…(the gargle) is used for oral infections…is rich in silica, a mineral constituent of skin and nails, and will often help skin complaints such as eczema and acne.” Culpeper’s Color Herbal. The “high silica content helps to heal damaged lung tissue and was once recommended for lung problems.” American Nature Guides Herbs by Anna Kruger.

My Interpretation: You may feel regret or self-pity, possibly even depression during this time. This may be a time of loss or disappointments. This may be a time of instability for you.

Number Significance: 5 - Expansion, Conflict, Instability, Opportunity for change

Thoughts/Points to Ponder: The 5 of Cups is ruled by Mars in Scorpio. Horsetail is ruled by Saturn. The 5 of Cups is in Constellation 5 with the V High Priest, XIV Temperance, and the Fives. Testing. Counseling. Training. Assimilating and Integrating. Healing. Guidance. Bridging. Translating, Interpreting and Channeling. Arbitrating.

The man appears to be lost in his thoughts. He looks depressed.