And the last decan of Cancer is around the corner!
Which one is harder? To stay or to go?*
Decan walk continues!
Last 10 degrees of cardinal, water sign Cancer. It’s worth mentioning that New Moon in Cancer on July 14 will also be happening in this decan (Cancer 21°58’). In this regard, it makes this decan along with its interpretation much interesting especially thinking that retrograde Mercury will be a very close witness of this union!
Before I started writing, I was thinking in terms of astrology; such a happy place for the decan rulers which are Moon (Chaldean/Descending order) and Jupiter (Triplicity order). Why? Because Moon is the traditional ruler of Cancer and Jupiter is considered to be exalted in this sign. What can we want more? A feeling of ‘home sweet home’ and also feeling safe at a place where we find the warmth, care of family even though that home might not be our real family’s house. And this sense of journey to the past, to the roots so that we can find some meaning to move forward, to continue the journey ahead. When we put it like this, sounds like a good place to be at. But…
But then comes the Minor Arcana associated with the 3rd decan of Cancer: the 4 of Cups. One image from the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) and one from the Tarot of The Sevenfold Mystery by Robert M. Place.
I think that to be able to understand the 4 of Cups, we may need to understand what happened until we have arrived to this moment by looking at the 2 of Cups and the 3 of Cups. I will quote some parts here but you may have a look at my take on both of these cards and the decans.*
“These all make us circle back to the Minor Arcana associated with the first decan of Cancer which is the 2 of Cups. In other versions of this card, there is this hesitation or being not totally convinced look on the female character against the offering by the male party, and she might start talking with her inner voice: “Should I trust? What is it in that cup? Am I safe? Is it worth taking that risk and give a try, any value in this possible interaction? It feels like that we are coming from same source but different at the same time, still our destinies intertwine! What does this mean?” And there is the protection offered by the wings of an angel or what? It could be the wings of Nike as this deity is associated with this decan in the list of Cosmas of Jerusalem. A protection promising some kind of strength and victory as a result of this union. We may first react to the voice of our hearts at this stage but in the next step tapping into our minds and drive might surface and maybe turn this journey into something more compact and meaningful where we will be involved in the process as a whole…”
and
“I think that the 3 of Cups in the Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery deck by Robert M. Place deck reflects the quality of this decan more for me. Power is support and seeing the diversity in others or exploring various shades in ourselves as a strength that could at the same time empower us. In a way it’s also reciprocity and collaboration…In case that we talk about the other people, everyone has their own strength and sharing it with others improve all of us and assist us in different ways…I believe that it could also be the case that different colours in our past, in our tribe, in our history may shape how we speak, in what ways we are driven…”
It’s worth mentioning that these card interpretations are based on the ones in the Tarot of the Sevenfold Mystery deck by Robert M. Place.
Now, we can explore the 4 of Cups!
I think that after the first signs of a possible union followed by either a celebration or a meaningful collaboration, what comes next? Maybe we will say moving forward all encouraged with a sense of support and emotional fulfilment. But in reality…Why do we look like as if something is stopping us to move forward or prevent us seeing other possible opportunities literally in front of our eyes? What is the hesitation about? Are we too comfortable where we are or the sweet memories of the past shadow now and future? What is it?
I believe that the elephant standing on the four cups, just in balance, with one foot wanting to go ahead, but the rest saying ‘nah’ may not be able to take risks for many reasons. However, a lot of justification might be put forward to take risks as well. So, I feel that the solution may be contemplating on all ‘pros and cons’ and making a decision, and being in peace with it.
The person sitting in front of the tree with the arms locked – I remember that in psychology ‘arms locked’ might sometimes symbolise being closed to the conversation. I am an Econ major so my Psych 101 knowledge may be mistaken!- looking at the three cups on the floor with nostalgia, in a melancholic way, and not seeing the cup offered by a hand through the clouds…Same cup offering hand in the Ace of Cups…What does it mean? Are we so much lost in what the days of union offered us and so we can’t concentrate on the question of ‘and then?’ In this context, the 4 of Cups might be asking us to weigh the past, now and the future and make a decision in which time we would like to continue living, keeping in mind that neither opportunities nor promises in front of us or ahead of us will be there forever, and can be always compensated by living in the past…But again it’s a decision to make…
See you in Leo decans!
yours truly Teri Nudelman a.k.a. amethystastrotarot as in Hello from Amethyst! –
*Original article published on my Substack account on Jul 10, 2026.
And the last decan of Cancer is around the corner!
For the previous decans of Cancer: