Stepping Down

From the Classic Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Constellation Cards, Hydrus:

There's no passion for being found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than you are capable of living. ~Nelson Mandela

The three by three arrangement of cups overseen by the larger chalice suggests contentment and harmony among a group that is solid. There are leaders - whether of a family, business or social organization - who have the ability to make each person feel heard and appreciated, connecting everyone with a mainstay of kindness. Yet the turned over large chalice also implies that the head feels it is time to step down and let someone else hold the reins so that they can pursue other interests and passions. It may be a manager who retires and spends time doing volunteer work or a matriarch who decides to travel the world. Hydrus lies in the southern hemisphere, and its name refers to a water snake. Water snakes spend time on the ground and in trees as well as in water. They tend to be aggressive and bite if threatened. Breaking out of a peapod may leave those left behind feeling vulnerable, and they may attempt to convince their guiding star to stay. But decisively stepping away from such a position can help us find our own joy while allowing others to develop confidence in learning new skills.