The Seven of Cups symbolises the crossroads where dreams and reality converge,
Urging us to discern between what is real and what is an illusion,
Between honourable ambitions and being sidetracked by fanciful distractions.
This card invites us to sift through our desires,
To identify which can lead us to fulfilments and which are mere escapism.
In this Active Imagination exercise,
We aim to navigate this intricate web of choices,
Shedding light on our deepest intentions and guiding us towards conscious decision-making.
So first,
Just making sure you're comfortable.
You can do this exercise seated or lying down.
Just adopt a posture that you can sustain.
And now just taking a couple of deep breaths.
So we're just going to start by clearing out the mind with some basic meditation.
So just focus on the breath for now,
Whether it's the sensation of the air moving through the nostrils,
Or the rising and falling of the chest or abdomen,
And if at any point you do get distracted,
Simply bring the attention back to the exercise.
And now imagine yourself in a corridor with seven doors.
Each of these doors offers a different path that your life could take.
And now following your intuition,
Allow yourself to be guided towards one of these doors.
As you stand before it,
Take in its appearance and how you feel in front of it.
Before you open this door,
Just briefly reflect on why you might have been drawn to it.
What does it say about what you are seeking?
And now go ahead and open the door and see a meaningful scene or symbol behind it.
This vision is a reflection from your unconscious about the path you've chosen.
And now you're going to interact with what you see behind this door by asking a series of questions.
And as you ask these questions,
Simply state them in your mind and notice what changes.
Perhaps insights arise in response to these questions.
Maybe feelings accompanied by a physical sensation.
Perhaps the visual imagery of what lies beyond the door begins to change or transform.
Ask yourself,
What is at the heart of the choice before me?
What is the true need or desire that is driving my decision making in this area?
How can I discern what is real versus what is mere fantasy within this choice?
What might be the outcome if I don't make my real needs and motivations conscious?
And now decide if you wish to bring something back from what lies behind this door.
Or perhaps leave something behind.
Perhaps some kind of object or symbol.
This exchange signifies the acceptance of a new insight or the release of an old pattern.
Witness any changes in the vision as you do this.
When you sense that it's time to leave,
Acknowledge this symbol or scene for its message.
And exit through the door,
Closing it behind you.
It's just allowing the scene to fade now.
And just bring your attention back to the space around you.
Noticing any sounds or sensations.
And in your own time,
Opening your eyes again.
