What would Butters do?

Robin Wood Tarot, Llewellyn 1991

I'm using Robin Wood Tarot this week, and I'm surprised to see that I've never blogged with it. It was one of the first decks I bought, on the recommendation of a friend, because the elemental attributions are made very obvious and the illustrations, particularly facial expressions, make contemporary RWS interpretations very plain and easy to see. The artwork is not to everyone's taste (including mine), but the deck has its place in my collection and I can't see myself ever getting rid of it, even though I hardly ever choose it for readings or blogging. Or anything else. Ha ha.

So here's the Page of Cups. You can see that Robin Wood keeps Pamela Colman Smith's tendency to paint images to look like a stage with a backdrop (PCS was a stage and costume designer.)  Here the figure stands on a stage (which might be a pier or pavement) near bubbling sea waves. The flat horizon stretches out behind her and the sky is multi-coloured. The Page of Cups stands examining a tiny vessel from which is emerging a small winged fish creature. Rays emerge from the cup, spangling out in all directions. The page stands with hand on hip, holding the cup up in the manner of a 19th century Shakespearean actor. A small artist's pallet hangs from her belt.

The association with elemental water is very obvious. The artist's pallet goes even further to telling us about the temperament of the Page of Cups than does the arsty, frowzy hat on the PCS version. The Page of Cups is emotional, poetic, creative, imaginative, young, idealistic, greeting the unusual with delight. (I mean, a fish popping out of a cup is pretty unusual. Many people would react differently than standing there admiring it wonderingly.)

I associate all court cards with certain fictional characters, and the Page of Cups for me is Butters from South Park. I love Butters. He is cheerful, naive, optimistic, gullible and somewhat passive. He has a wholesome attitude and mild disposition and is quite happy-go-lucky, despite any sad or negative events going on around him. Matt Stone, creator of South Park, says he represents 'permanent innocence'. Though Butters does have a bit of a dark side, such as when he rebels against his parents by joining a group of 'vampire' kids at school (has to quit because he doesn't like the taste of blood -- really Clamato. ha ha)

These are all qualities of Page of Cups, who is sensitive, open-hearted, imaginative, creative and optimistic, even when something really weird happens, like a fish popping its head out of your cup.

Now the question I've been answering lately is this: What does this card say to me about what I can do right now to bring myself pleasure and positively impact my future? I can open myself up emotionally today, see everything from the bright side, not read too much into anything. Allow myself to take enjoyment from simple things. Butters would.