Seven of Cups definitions

Rider-Waite: 7 of Cups

Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially those of the fantastic spirit.

Fairy favours, images of reflection, sentiment, imagination, things seen in the glass of contemplation; some attainment in these degrees, but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested.

Additional Meanings: Fair child; idea, design, resolve, movement.

Reversed Card meanings

Desire, will, determination, project.

Additional Meanings: Success, if accompanied by the Three of Cups.

Book of Thoth - Debauch - 7 of Cups

The Seven of Cups is called Debauch. This is one of the worst ideas that one can have; its mode is poison, its goal madness. It represents the delusion of Delirium Tremens and drug addiction; it represents the sinking into the mire of false pleasure. There is something almost suicidal in this card. It is particularly bad because there is nothing whatever to balance it-no strong planet to hold it up. Venus goes after Venus, and Earth is churned into the scorpion morass.

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Golden Dawn - Lord of Illusionary Success

In affairs of the emotions there is to be a bridging or a joining of elements. A marriage is the most obvious manifestation whether the elements of the marriage are two people or a bringing together of ways in which the world is being perceived. The "siren song" of deception, causing one to forget his or her will.

Mathers: 7 of Cups

Idea, Sentiment, Reflection, Project.

Reversed Card meanings

Plan, Design, Resolution, Decision.

Etteilla: 7 of Cups

Thought, Soul, Mind, Intelligence, Idea, Memory, Imagination, Understanding, Notion, Meditation, Contemplation, Reflection, Deliberation, View, Opinion, Sentiment.

Reversed

Project, Design, Intention, Desire, Will, Resolution, Determination, Premeditation.

Thierens: 7 of Cups

TRADITION

Thought, soul, spirit, intelligence, idea, memory, imagination, conception, meditation, contemplation, reflexion, deliberation, views, opinion. Reversed: Project, intention, desire, wish, resolution, premeditation. Another version has: "Fairy favours . . . things seen in the glass of contemplation; some attainment in these degrees but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested." (W.)

THEORY

If we eliminate 'soul ... spirit ... and desire,' words too far apart from the original meaning, we find in tradition a very pure rendering of the effects of the Water of the soul on the house of Gemini, the Third, the house of the changeful concrete mind and thought in which indeed nothing is permanent, and everything is passing, ephemeral. These effects must be very varied, including the most fantastic plans and conceptions, and 'fancy' is the most fitting word for this card. It will denote many intellectual proceedings and has to do with travelling for short distances, sight-seeing, considering, gathering impressions, etc. The word 'reflexion' is really quite appropriate in its place here, because the card represents the conditions of mind in which the surroundings are simply reflected in the soul. There may come seductive and suggestive images, some of which may be realised, but others will remain just fancy. The description which is given by W. is very accurate and points to the fact, that under the third house come nature-spirits and genii, who will eventually help, guide or mislead man.

CONCLUSION

Thoughts, intelligence, ideas, imagination, plans, suggestions, fancy, fantasy; reflexions and opinions, deliberations and intentions. Much in this card will not come into physical reality. Short travels, sight-seeing, impressions, views. Changefulness, unstable conditions. Promise and surprise, but always much more promise than fulfilment. 'Fairy favours.'