My Cave of Emotional Wealth

Today's card shows a dragon, sitting in a cave amongst what I guess to be emotional wealth. As with many Rider Waite decks, this is a card of celebration, but I also see it as being connected to our friends and social community. It probably would have made more sense for yesterday, rather than today.

My boyfriend and I drove over to visit his aunt yesterday afternoon. I am really glad that I prepared him for it, because seeing her was quite a shock for both of us. When I walked into the living room, I didn't recognise her at first. She has lost an awful lot of weight, especially in her face, and has aged dramatically. On the last time that we saw her, she welcomed us into her home with her larger than life personality, but yesterday, she was sitting in her wheelchair in silence with her head to one side. It was a real punch in the stomach to see her like that. Her three children were bearing up as best as they could. They know that they don't have much time left with their mother and were being so brave and mature for her sake. She brightened up and out of her stillness when her youngest son walked into the room. For that second, we saw the Julie we remember. Unfortunately, it was just for a second, since she was so tired and slipped back into rest.

We didn't know what to say or how to feel when we left. My boyfriend's mother got a little emotional outside the front door and I gave her a hug. My boyfriend and I went off to pick up my friend and her daughter, which gave us a little time to digest what we had just experienced, and then we all went to the family party for his 8 year old niece. We all had a drink and it felt good to just relax out of the morning's events. Of course, with alcohol came tears. My boyfriend and his sister in law both became emotional when taking about Julie.

I am not sure where to place the 3 of Cups, but it does remind me of my own social community. Julie has not seen her sister for many years after some kind of petty difference. They are together now, which is great, but I couldn't help feeling sad and a little angry about all of those wasted years, down to something so silly. The card reminds me to think about people who I am close to and to let them know how much I value them. You never know what might prevent you from telling them further down the track.


Illustration from The Celtic Dragon Tarot by Lisa Hunt