A different take
prk, I read your amazing story. The fact that this card urged you to be aware of the potential for failure and "breakage" is a blessing. Below are other thoughts I have on this card.
First, I don't completely agree with the keyword on this card. Instead of straight up "Failure," I think that while this card suggests the potential for failure, I think the bigger message of this card is "repair." In other words -- go heal yourself.
I look at the imagery thusly:
- Yes, the insects are scary. They appear to be predatory insects, the kind that feed on decay. They're here to tell you that it's time for the shame spiral you're in to be over -- move on.
- I agree with Moonbow* about the stagnant water. What happens to water that becomes stagnant? The only thing that can grow is disease. Have you let your own festering thoughts poison your ability to hope?
- The cups are all broken, but a few of them appear to have tried to hold themselves together with wire for as long as possible, their strength simply couldn't hold out. Let go -- end the struggle.
- The cups are tumbling off into the distance -- perhaps heading toward that tiny light in the middle of the mountain? Is that where they will find a place to heal and be whole again? Do you need to get away and heal yourself?
- These cups were easily broken. Do you need to steel yourself against hurt? Are you in a pattern of setting yourself up for damage again, and again? (There are 8 broken cups, after all!)