Cups
Cups is the suit which embodies the emotional, spiritual,
and subconscious realms.
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Ace of Cups
Each of the Ace cards depicts the hand of a divine being holding the suit’s symbol, representing the suit’s essential energy. Aces also signify beginnings and potential, so The Ace of Cups can symbolize opening up, listening to your heart, feeling deeply about a cause—or having love or compassion for someone, paying attention to your intuition and messages from dreams. It can also symbolize the beginning of a relationship or romance. |
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Two of Cups
A man and woman each hold out a chalice to the other. The Two of Cups symbolizes kindred spirits, an emotionally satisfying friendship, partnership, or a loving relationship. |
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Three of Cups
Three women raise their cups and dance. The Three of Cups symbolizes celebration, rejoicing in another’s happiness, sharing a bond, and being part of a supportive community. |
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Four of Cups
A man seems unsatisfied with the three cups lined up before him and is either rejecting or failing to notice the fourth being offered. The Four of Cups can represent dissatisfaction with some aspect of our lives and a lack of energy or enthusiasm for exploring more fulfilling possibilities. |
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Five of Cups
A figure grieves over three fallen cups and either ignores or fails to see the two cups that remain standing behind him. The imagery of also evokes the cautionary adage, “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” as well as the proverbial question, “Is the glass half full, or half empty?” The Five of Cups symbolizes a focus on past regrets or losses, or the need to heal in order to fully enjoy what we have. |
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Six of Cups
A child smells a flower growing out of a chalice and offers it to a girl. This represents nostalgia, childhood memories, and experiences that trigger recollections of the past. |
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Seven of Cups
A magician conjures up a cloud with seven cups, each containing a gift. The Seven of Cups can signify choice or the need to determine reality from illusion—evoking the adage “All that glitters is not gold.” It can also symbolize a rich imagination—the ability to dream and envision possibilities—and the challenges inherent in turning fantasies into reality. |
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Eight of Cups
Having left behind eight neatly-stacked chalices, a figure is crossing a body of water, headed for the higher ground of another shore. The Eight of Cups can represent putting the past behind us, or determining the feeling that it is time to move on—to leave what we have outgrown and set out on a new course. |
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Nine of Cups
A man takes pride in the nine cups lined up on a table behind him. This card represents wishes that have come true, feelings of contentment and gratification, and it also evokes abundance that borders on decadence. |
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Ten of Cups
Two children hold hands and dance next to a couple with their arms outstretched to a rainbow in the sky. This card signifies feeling complete and finding happiness in the life we have created for ourselves and/or our family. |
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Page of Cups
The Page of Cups, standing on the seashore, discovers a fish in his cup—a dreamlike scenario that suggests receiving gift of the imagination or sign from the subconscious. The Page of Cups is symbolic of an imaginative person who is guided by intuition—one who pays attention to the signs and memories that surface from dreams. This card also represents someone who, though innately loving, trusting, and honest with his or her feelings, may also be inexperienced in relationships, and therefore self-centered at times. |
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Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups is about to cross a stream on his horse, holding a cup before him like an offering. This card represents the archetypal young artist or poet—a romantic idealist who has deeply held feelings and beliefs and who is introspective and imaginative. The Knight of Cups may also represent someone who is focused on developing his or her identity and who may not place a high value on practical matters. |
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Queen of Cups
The Queen of Cups sits on her throne at the edge of a small peninsula, her robes trailing in the water, and her feet resting on polished stones. The elaborate chalice she holds captivates her. This card symbolizes a person who is attuned to others’ feelings—and who can see through the masks people wear. She is compassionate and nurturing, and inspires imagination and vision. |
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King of Cups
The King of Cups’ throne floats on the sea. This card is symbolic of someone who has learned to negotiate life’s challenges or “ride the waves.” The King of Cups is depicted as an island or a dock anchored in the middle of a rough sea, symbolizing someone who provides emotional stability or refuge. This card may also signify the revered visionary or artist who has had to retreat or endure isolation in order to succeed. |
Tarot Insights is located in downtown San Mateo, CA—a short distance from Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Burlingame and Millbrae. Contact—susan@tarotinsights.net, 650.532.0509.
Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited. The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
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