Page of Cups

Minor Arcana · Cups · number 11 · Fante di Coppe

Page of Cups, plate by Pamela Colman Smith
Pamela Colman Smith, 1910

Upright

The Page of Cups is a gentle youth watching a fish rise from his cup: a kind-hearted person eager to be of service and with whom, says Waite, you will be connected, a student, a messenger. He brings news, and with it reflection, application, meditation, in business matters too. If these days someone younger offers you help, or a message makes your heart beat faster, it is no accident: there is a romantic novelty or a proposal that deserves a hearing. The practical advice: take seriously the ideas of those with less experience than you, and answer kindly whoever writes to you. Good news travels on a good tone.

Source: Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910) · read the original passage
«Fair young man, one impelled to render service and with whom the Querent will be connected; a studious youth; news, message; application, reflection, meditation; also these things directed to business.»

Reversed

Reversed, the Page of Cups becomes seduction: taste, inclination, attachment, but also deception and artifice. Someone flatters you, and may not be sincere; or you are the one using charm to get something. If these days a person seems too sweet to be true, in love or in business, it is no accident. Beware of compliments that arrive together with a request for money or favours. It is not a sentence: a young heart errs by excess, not by malice. The practical advice: before binding yourself, give it time, and watch whether the words are followed by deeds.

Source: Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910) · read the original passage
«Taste, inclination, attachment, seduction, deception, artifice.»

Source

Arthur Edward Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910) Part III, § 2, The Lesser Arcana, Page of Cups https://archive.org/details/a.-e.-waite-the-pictorial-key-to-the-tarot