Mysterious Brooder

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Dancer Prince (Knight of Cups); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Elder:

The brooding hero of the dance

A poet's spirit of romance

He'll steal the heart that you would keep

And lead you darkly to the deep.

          Carding's Knight of Cups seems mysterious (which may be a big draw to some romantics), yet there is the hint of something else. What is he hiding? Probably that his idea of love is a weekend fling; commitment is not one of his traits. He prefers the fairy tale to real life and the responsibilities it brings.

          The Elder is a small tree with stinky leaves but sweet blossoms. Its purple berries have been used medicinally, as a dye, and for making jams and wine. Elder stems are hollow and have been used for pipes and bellows. Matthews states that "from sacrifice comes restoration." We gain the most when we give unselfishly with no expectation of a return (like the animals that eat elder berries and spread its seeds). This tree would suggest that a real-life relationship would require two people who aren't seeking something from another but looking to give.