In the season of transformation, death, and decay, disappointments are sure to arise in this human experience. But that’s not all to the story, and Mars introduces us to these lessons in the first Scorpio decan. Let’s see what this placement has to say through the 5 of Cups.
Terminology:
Decan: A 10-degree section of an astrological chart
Domicile: Place in the zodiac where the planet is ‘home’
Detriment: Opposing sign to the ruler (domicile); uncomfortable energy
Exaltation: where a planet functions at its strongest
Fall: opposing sign to the exaltation; weakest positioning
Femininity: passive, receptive, still energy
Masculinity: active, action-oriented energy
Mars in Scorpio
Mars is right at home when it visits Scorpio: the feminine, watery energy of death and transformation. There’s this incisive, penetrating quality to Mars in Scorpio that fearlessly and courageously challenges us to transform our way of being.
During Cancer season, we explored the 2, 3, and 4 of Cups with themes of love, harmony, and friendship. We focused on a sense of oneness within the Spirit that unites us all, and we found comfort there. But now, Mars in Scorpio wants us to withdraw and examine our own waters to release the parts of us we may have blended into that no longer serves us. This placement is not for the weak: it is willing to go to the depths to investigate and analyze our shadows, even when the experience itself isn’t pleasant. Mars brings the courage. Scorpio brings the power.
Five of Cups
I think it’s interesting that we don’t get that fearless, determined depiction of Mars in Scorpio with the Five of Cups. Instead, it focuses on the grief and sorrow we feel when we’re called to separate ourselves from what once felt like home to us so we can continue evolving. It may very well be the former, but in truth, what weighs heavily on us is the latter.
When we look to the card prior, the Four of Cups showed us that period of contemplation where we aren’t so sure that what we’ve been building is what we truly want. Now, I can imagine the mourner kicking those cups over out of discontentment. There is a period of sadness that comes when the things we found comfort in are no longer what’s best for us.
There is also significance in cloaking with this card. Spiritually, cloaking acts as a form of protection. The Four of Cups was Cancer’s domain where unity and harmony was the mission as we’ve stated before. I feel the cloaking in this card is done intentionally to create a barrier or boundary around our own light and energy to differentiate what belongs to us and what doesn’t.
Here’s the thing: it’s not like anything in particular had to happen to get you here. It’s your own Spirit recognizing the need for rebirth and transformation. In order to get there, stillness ensues so anything that can’t accompany you in this next phase is putrefied and decayed from your being.
Imagine the times you were unsettled in your own Spirit, and how you had to pull yourself up and out of situations that once gave you a sense of belonging. That transition can feel lonely, just like the mourner in this card. This is what the 5 of Cups is portraying to us.
The two cups in the back may not be known to you. But the way they’re positioned makes me feel that those cups are standing guard, like our guides or Ancestors that watch over us even when we feel alone. Grief itself is sits at a low frequency, so it makes sense when you’re in these moments to not be able to feel the support that never left you. But great things can still come from our lowest places. This card isn’t telling you to bypass what you’re feeling. It’s asking you to have the courage to sit in it, and learn from it.
It feels dark and lonely; however, it is necessary for growth. Acknowledge the courage it takes to be still these moments when you could’ve just continued on as you were and ignored your intuition. That’s your superpower.
Final Thoughts
The Five of Cups can feel like doom and gloom, but I hope this breakdown challenges that perspective for you. Though you may be disappointed, it takes a special kind of determination and courage to sit in stillness long enough to transform and rise like the phoenix. Allow that decay to fertilize your journey of growth and elevation ahead. Hope this helps!
With love,
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