5 of Cups: a Vedic Description/ Meditation
"Vedic", a term popularized to help describe the ancient philosophies/ practices in the English language. Westerners have been influenced by Vedic culture for many years and are enjoying Vedic wisdom and philosophies as enhancing existing western beliefs and customs. It is widely accepted that westerners are without a "perfect knowledge" of these ancient practices and are appreciative of Vedic scholars and Jyotish practitioners, and those of the Hindu faith sharing natural healing practices with the West.
The 5th Bhava ( 5th House). Karakas ( significator) include Jupiter. Jupiter associated Nakshatra Vishakha ( 14th Lunar Mansion / nakshatra according to Vedic astrology. Vishakha' s many symbols include archways. Archways according to Vedic culture are symbols of victory ( Anarudha Nakshatra/ moon mansion the 15th nakshatra also represented by archways amongst many other things according to Vedic astrology).
The spilled substance(s) are indicators of Halahala as described in the Vedas and Puranas in regards to the creation of th e universe and are often incorporated into interpreting the 5 of Cups as a tarot card.
From this yogis point of view, this card is about self creation/ self realization involving personal growth and creation as described by the fifth house. The fifth house, a Significators of many, many things includes romance, arts, children, the Sun, the planet Jupiter. Nakshatras said to "act like Jupiter" are Punarvasu, Vishakha, and Purvabadrapada. All three Jupiter- like nakshatras often describe themes found in traditional common and most popular "5 of Cups" meanings.
Other nakshatras based in the use of the number 5 are nakshatras considered apa of the natural fifth house and associated with the Sun and with the sign of Leo. Leo nakshatras include Ashlesha ( Ugra/ fierce: associated with serpents and poisoning and said to act like Mercury), Magha ( said to :act like Ketu" also: Western astrologers often correspond Magha to Regulus ), Purvaphalgunie ( associated with/ said to "act like Venus") , and Uttaraphalguni ( associated with yhe Sun). Out of all the nakshatras, Uttaraphalguni especially represents themes pertaining to the Sun, Leo and the 5th House. Themes of Uttaraphalguni are often themes of taki ng charge, responsibility, carrying on, parenting, "husband" energy, masculine, divine masculine, etc. Uttaraphalguni if negatively aspected describes a person staying too long in relationships out of fear, guilt or obligation- therefore 5 of Cups energies often describe codependency, unhappiness, and putting a sense of duty/ responsibility above personal happiness.
This card can be about growth, change ( Jupiter) self creation ( Venus), and getting what you want but having to make sacrifices to gain what is ultimately wanted, authority ( Sun), and responsibility.
This card of loss, but also a card of gain. And of course, the loss can always be felt, even if the loss is for a greater good/ a greater personal purpose/ themes common to "higher self" and personal transformation.
Namaste