A Tale of Two Chipped Cups: Affront to Alchemy
- Oraine Ramoo
- May 1
- 3 min read
Once upon a time, not too long ago in 2023, I made a visit to the spa to get my super-cute toes all cute again. I was offered a coffee by one of the attendants and I graciously accepted. All was seemingly well.
Until the coffee came. In a chipped white cup. Slightly taken aback, I simply stared at the cup in mild confusion. Had she not noticed? Was she comfortable serving a customer with this? Were there no other cups? Huh? But, in rare fashion, I chose to let it be, because sometimes I choose not to be that person. We have a choice.
Thereafter, I stopped by a neighbor’s for a short visit. Here, I was also graciously offered a beverage. I didn’t need anything, but being a lovely guest was hammered into me decades ago, so I accepted some ginger tea.
Which I received in a chipped cup. A black one. Worth mentioning the colour as it would be pretty obvious.
I was truly in wonderment. Eh? TWO chipped cups in 90 minutes must have some sort of obscure meaning (and be a world record). What was I being told? What was I being invited to consider? Why are people serving drinks in chipped cups? Why am I being served in damaged drinkware? What prevented me from saying anything? I was assailed by my own self.
Clearly, I am the common denominator, and I wondered what I had done to upset the Goddess of Cups. File that away – we’ll swing back to it.
I had to leave before I finished, but I was generously offered the opportunity to take the cup home and return it later.
Nope. Not taking this cup home. I was already having an unnecessary existential crisis.
I will admit—unashamedly—that I spent days and months weaving this experience through my psyche. Which means I have quite a doozy for you! I will mention, too, that over a year earlier, I had made a choice to slowly and deliberately make some changes to my life and my work by following a gentle flow and trusting my next steps. This (to me) was part of that process. Awareness is key.
Remember the Goddess of Cups? I had considered that in jest, but I know my tarot well enough and decided to have a look at the Queen of Cups. I have included images of a few Queen of Cups cards from various decks, including the Rider-Waite (on the left).
So, I was invited to look deeper into the chalice and collect the gifts it carried: messages and transformation. This felt good and I determined that the compassion necessary at this point was a gentleness toward myself as I teased out from numerous threads – the one I wanted to follow in my new way of being.
Let us also consider alchemy and the two colours that showed up this day: white and black. Albedo and nigredo. I am aware from my fairytale and mythology studies not to ignore this approach to psychological transformation. Depending on which tradition you encounter, there are either four stages or seven stages in the alchemical process. I am looking at four, due to the use of colour.
Albedo: Originates in the Latin for “white” and speaks of rebirth or awakening, and associated with the element of water for its cleansing properties which brings clarity and insight. It can be symbolized by a white dove or a white rose, reflecting purity and renewal. Spiritually, albedo is about achieving balance and harmony, preparing the material or the soul for the next transformative stages in the alchemical process.
Nigredo: Derived from the Latin, meaning “black/blackness” symbolizes decomposition/putrefaction. This phase represents the breaking down of matter or the ego, often described as a “dark night of the soul” (a term made popular by St. John of the Cross). It’s a necessary process of confronting chaos, the shadow, and preparing for transformation.
I surmised that the nigredo aspect was almost finished but that didn’t mean that I hadn’t crossed the threshold into the albedo (at that time) or perhaps, I was moving back to the dark for a bit. An in-between, a liminal space. Always remember, one can spend years – decades even – in any one of these phases of the cycle. I can say now (in 2025) that I am dancing between albedo and citrinitas.
The cups. Never ignore a vessel! When I think “vessel” or “cup” I imagine a liquid contained. I did drink a sip from each cup, partaking in the swallowing of the material within – accepting the transformation and allowing for it.
Yes, all of that because of two chipped cups.
