Cups

Suit of Cups - Tarot Descriptions

Ace of Cups

Upright Meaning:

New love, emotional awakening, compassion, creativity, spiritual connection.

Reversed Meaning:

Emotional block, repressed feelings, emptiness, missed emotional opportunities.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Hand with overflowing cup: Divine offering of emotional abundance.
  • Five streams of water: Five senses and flowing love.
  • Dove and wafer: Spiritual nourishment and grace.
  • Lotus blossoms: Enlightenment and divine purity.

Two of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Union, romantic connection, balanced partnership, mutual respect.

Reversed Meaning:

Disharmony, imbalance, breakup, misunderstanding in relationships.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Two figures exchanging cups: Emotional bond and equality.
  • Caduceus and lion head: Healing and passion in union.
  • Bright robes: Joy and personal expression.
  • Blue background: Calm emotional energy.

Three of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Friendship, celebration, community, joy, emotional connection.

Reversed Meaning:

Overindulgence, gossip, isolation, disharmony in social circles.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Three women raising cups: Collective joy and shared success.
  • Fruit and harvest: Abundance and celebration.
  • Flowing dresses: Freedom and joyful movement.
  • Open field: Natural openness and connectedness.

Four of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Contemplation, apathy, reevaluation, missed opportunities, introspection.

Reversed Meaning:

New outlook, awareness, seizing opportunities, re-engagement with life.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Figure under tree: Withdrawal from emotional interaction.
  • Cloud offering cup: Unexpected opportunities or insight.
  • Three cups on ground: Focus on past or present concerns.
  • Folded arms: Resistance or emotional closedness.

Five of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Grief, loss, regret, focusing on the negative, emotional setbacks.

Reversed Meaning:

Acceptance, moving on, forgiveness, emotional healing, recovery.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Figure in black cloak: Mourning and emotional sorrow.
  • Spilled cups: Loss and grief over past events.
  • Two upright cups: Remaining hope and unseen potential.
  • Bridge and river: Transition toward healing and new paths.

Six of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Innocence, nostalgia, childhood memories, kindness, goodwill.

Reversed Meaning:

Stuck in the past, unrealistic expectations, clinging to nostalgia.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Children exchanging cups: Innocence, giving, and affection.
  • Six filled cups with flowers: Emotional abundance and joy.
  • Old architecture: Connection to the past.
  • Guarding adult figure: Contrast between past and present.

Seven of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Choices, imagination, fantasy, illusion, wishful thinking, opportunities.

Reversed Meaning:

Clarity, grounded choices, facing reality, narrowing focus.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Seven cups floating in clouds: Dreams, illusions, and diverse possibilities.
  • Images in cups (snake, castle, jewels, etc.): Symbolize temptation, fears, hopes, and spiritual truth.
  • Figure in silhouette: Overwhelm or uncertainty in choosing a path.
  • Misty background: Uncertainty and deception.

Eight of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Walking away, withdrawal, seeking truth, emotional maturity, letting go.

Reversed Meaning:

Fear of change, aimlessness, avoidance of growth, clinging to the past.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Figure walking away from stacked cups: Abandoning unfulfilling situations in search of deeper meaning.
  • Moon and mountains: Inner guidance and spiritual journey.
  • Uneven arrangement of cups: Something missing despite apparent abundance.
  • Dark cloak: A solemn, introspective state.

Nine of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Emotional fulfillment, contentment, satisfaction, gratitude, wishes fulfilled.

Reversed Meaning:

Greed, dissatisfaction, smugness, shallow pleasures, unmet desires.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Seated figure with crossed arms: Contentment and pride.
  • Row of cups behind: Emotional wealth and achievement.
  • Red hat and shoes: Vitality and grounded joy.
  • Blue curtain: Emotional privacy and protection.

Ten of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Happiness, harmony, emotional fulfillment, family, lasting success.

Reversed Meaning:

Strained relationships, false ideals, disharmony at home, hidden discontent.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Rainbow of cups: Emotional abundance and promise of lasting joy.
  • Happy family: Unity, love, and support.
  • Open landscape: A future filled with hope and possibilities.
  • Children playing: Innocence and carefree connection.

Page of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Creative beginnings, messages of love, curiosity, emotional exploration.

Reversed Meaning:

Emotional immaturity, insecurity, creative blocks, oversensitivity.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Fish in cup: Surprise, inspiration, and emotional messages.
  • Blue tunic: Calmness and artistic spirit.
  • Waves behind: Fluid emotions and intuition.
  • Youthful stance: Openness to new feelings and experiences.

Knight of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Romance, charm, idealism, following the heart, pursuit of dreams.

Reversed Meaning:

Jealousy, moodiness, unrealistic expectations, escapism.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Horse stepping gently: Graceful approach to emotional matters.
  • Winged helmet and boots: Messenger of love and creativity.
  • River and hills: Emotional journey and poetic sensibility.
  • Chalice in hand: Offering or seeking emotional connection.

Queen of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Compassion, intuition, emotional depth, nurturing, psychic ability.

Reversed Meaning:

Emotional insecurity, codependency, over-sensitivity, withdrawal.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Ornate cup with closed lid: Hidden emotional treasures and deep inner life.
  • Calm sea: Mastery of emotion and tranquility.
  • Throne with cherubs: Intuition and divine feminine guidance.
  • Blue robe and gold crown: Wisdom and emotional authority.

King of Cups

Upright Meaning:

Emotional balance, wisdom, diplomacy, compassion, supportiveness.

Reversed Meaning:

Emotional manipulation, volatility, mood swings, detachment.

Waite-Smith Symbolism:
  • Calm expression: Emotional control and fairness.
  • Choppy sea and steady throne: Mastery of emotions amid turmoil.
  • Golden cup and scepter: Authority over heart and soul.
  • Fish amulet: Spiritual awareness and compassion.

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