Sixes symbolize the union of opposites, finding equilibrium, harmony in the face of constant change and being open to the energy flow of give and take in our lives.  Sixes can also represent a feeling of success after overcoming obstacles or difficulties  Cups are associated with the element of water, with emotions, love, pleasure in life, matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and inner planes.   This card is often seen as representing viewing things through rose-colored glasses or with a sense of nostalgia.  It can represent being in harmony with friends or family and enjoying everyday pleasures.  Or it may refer to pleasant memories or learning from past experiences.  It can also suggest being connected with your inner self and being able to balance past disillusionment. 

"Your relationship is reaching a level of understanding that is more reliable and predictable.  You are feeling more secure about your feelings, knowing that they won't be drastically changing.  You know what to expect from yourself and others on an emotional level." - Gail Fairfield

"Meaning: Romance, affairs of the heart, a deeply satisfying affair both emotionally and sexually. Memories of the past, childhood friends, gifts to children. toys. Home town, a return to origins or family ties. Old movies and books; things that evoke nostalgia. Creating a romantic setting for a tryst with a lover. Rachmaninoff's second Piano Concerto and other romantic sym-phonic works that heighten emotions and desire. Music, art, food, and clothing associated with sex and seduction. Silk sheets, motion lotion, etc. Sex toys. Soft porn and romance novels/bodice rippers. Escapist literature." - Whispering Tarot companion book

"At times memories bind us, but they also free us toward the future." - Spirit World LWB

When I saw this card today the first thing that struck me was my mother-in-law.  She is reaching a point in her life where her memories are all she has left.  Most of her peers - family and friends, have passed away.  She has children (some of whom she rarely sees) and grandchildren (ditto) but no one who went through her experiences and life with her.  Her touchstones are disappearing and so too are her memories.  She still has some long-term memory but recent events - the past few years and few minutes, are equally forgotten.  Sometimes it's not that she doesn't remember things, it's almost as though she doesn't want to remember them.  Consider what she has experienced in her lifetime I guess I can't blame her for that.

I went through a brief patch of being held captive to emotional memories last week remembering my brother Tom.  I'll never forget him but sometimes I can get so caught up in the pain of loss that I forget the joy of having known him.  I guess we all suffer from cases of "the good old days" syndrome.  I find it ironic that I'm as happy now as I've ever been but at the same time I miss the old days.  What I really miss is the friends that used to hang around.  I loved cooking for them (there were usually two or three that didn't have a lot of money so they became my personal projects).  They were there is we needed help with something - home repairs, house-sitting, etc.  That is what I miss.  I miss that time because we were surrounded by friends.  As we grow older so many of those friends have passed away that we try to keep in regular contact with those who remain.

On the plus side, we have grown a bit closer to some family members.  What I've noticed is that when their children are younger their lives revolve around them.  As the kids grow older, and want less to do with their parents, some of the parents start to resume their own lives again.  So as their kids grow older, the parents want to spend time just hanging out with other adults and catching up, having a few drinks, whatever.  That's fun. 

I guess that is the message of this card - enjoy the memories of the past but don't become a prisoner to them; don't let them prevent you from creating more memories in the future.  It's always great to remember wonderful times with good friends.  It's even better to create new memories with good friends.