Facets of Love
Inspired by the fast-approaching holiday where we all celebrate love in our own way, let’s explore another pair of love-related cards. Last week we compared the 2 of Cups and the 10 of Cups.
Today we’ll compare the 10 of Cups and the 10 of Pentacles.
These cards share a few similarities:
They are both 10s, and consequently represent the completion or fulfillment of the suit.
They are both passive suits, suggesting that they are shaped by life and reactive.
They are both generally considered happy cards.
They both represent family life, generally showing at least two generations.
How are they different, then? The key is in the most obvious difference: their suits
Cups focus on our emotions and relationships. Pentacles represent our material lives.
The 10 of Cups, then, shows the relationships and feeling that a couple or family have developed over time.
The 10 of Pentacles is about the framework of the couple or family’s daily lives at home.
Each card of minor arcana represents an aspect of the human experience. None of them are meant to represent a complete picture. There is always something not shown in the card. The 10 of Cups could represent a couple who are very much in love and committed to their long-term relationship but may be having financial concerns. The 10 of Pentacles could hint at a financially well-off couple who have grown distant or platonic and could use a little boost to their passion.
How do you differentiate these two cards?
Barbara,
I agree with your analysis. To take the comparison a different direction, I feel a sense of family legacy or family pride in the 10 of Pentacles. This sense of pride may be linked to the family’s worldly achievements, financial security, valuable possessions etc. The 10 of Pentacles implies a level of comfort and security many of us hope to have in our old age.
The 10 of Cups, on the other hand, may indicate a strong personal dedication of each family member to one another. Regardless of whether they’re in the black or the red, or whether they drive expensive cars or college savings accounts for their children, this family can get through anything because they are dedicated to each other.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Dear Barbara Moore,
I am a fan of your Gilded Deck. I have bought three decks in four years! I can identify with the design, colors and they are positive.
Thank you!
Holly
Holly, thanks and Happy Valentine’s Day to you! The Gilded is something special. Whenever I pull it out, it is like an old friend and as if no time has past. Glad you connect with it, too!
Jase, I love how you draw in the suit associations so beautifully here. I’ll keep this in mind, myself, when the cards come up. A sense of pride (in the best sense of the word) compared to personal dedication. Now, how would you play with the idea of loyalty? I always associated that with the 10 of Pentacles because of the dog that is usually present.