The Cups in Tarot symbolises emotion, feelings, subtle creativity, the flow of life in general and referer to the element of Water.
Aces are very powerful, positive cards and they will tune down any misfortune showing up in a Tarot spread. They represent great potential but not guaranteed results. Ace is a seed that has yet to grow into something more substantial. See this card as the creative spark, new endeavour, new energy, that comes into your life. It needs fuel to manifest.
Two Aces showing up in a reading is a rare occurrence. It is a powerful moment when a completely new and potent energy is entering one's life.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Feasting, Banquet, Good Cheer; Reversed: Change, Novelty, Metamorphosis, Inconstancy.
A.E. Waite (1911): The waters are beneath, and thereon are water-lilies; the hand issues from the cloud, holding in its palm the cup, from which four streams are pouring; a dove, bearing in its bill a cross-marked Host, descends to place the Wafer in the Cup; the dew of water is falling on all sides. It is an intimation of that which may lie behind the Lesser Arcana. Divinatory Meanings: House of the true heart, joy, content, abode, nourishment, abundance, fertility; Holy Table, felicity hereof. Inflexible will, unalterable law. Reversed: House of the false heart, mutation, instability, revolution. Unexpected change of position.
Happiness. Satisfaction. Gratitude. Forgiveness. Creativity.
Intimacy. Inspiration. Intuition. Imagination. Invitation.
Admiration. Adoration. Worship. Reverence. Veneration. Devotion.
Open heart. Letting the heart lead the way.
The flow of positive emotions.
Lucky encounter, opportunity. Amazement. Wonder.
New engaging relationship. Romance. Conception, pregnancy, birth.
Creative industries. Artists. Music.
Overflowing emotions. Overwhelming feelings.
Discontent. Dissatisfaction. Aversion. Dislike. Antipathy. Deprecation.
End of a new relationship.
Infatuation. Embarrassment. Worrying situation.
Two of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Love, Attachment, Friendship, Sincerity, Affection; Reversed: Crossed desires, Obstacles, Opposition, Hindrance.
A.E. Waite (1911): A youth and maiden are pledging one another, and above their cups rises the Caduceus of Hermes, between the great wings of which there appears a lion's head. It is a variant of a sign which is found in a few old examples of this card. Some curious emblematical meanings are attached to it, but they do not concern us in this place. Divinatory Meanings: Love, passion, friendship, affinity, union, concord, sympathy, the interrelation of the sexes, and--as a suggestion apart from all offices of divination--that desire which is not in Nature, but by which Nature is sanctified. Favourable in things of pleasure and business, as well as love; also wealth and honour. Reversed: Passion.
Attraction. Affection. Warmth. Trust. Respect.
Strong emotional bond. Special connection. Being in love.
Declaring peace. Compromise. Cooperation. Union.
Finding common relations. Good rapport.
Friendship. Soulmates. Sharing the same emotions. Feeling alike.
Romance. Being engaged. Marriage offer.
Positive contract or agreement. Feeling good about a deal.
Exchange of feelings, contracts. Spirit of cooperation.
A gift may be on the way.
Reversed Two of Cups
Emotional disappointment. Disagreement. Disharmony.
Disconnection. Incompatibility. Distrust. Infidelity.
Inconsiderate behaviour. Resentment.
End of relationship. Rejection. Parting ways. Separation.
Dissolution of contract or agreement. Broken trust.
One-sided relationship. Someone takes without giving.
Dissolution of contract or agreement. Broken trust.
One-sided relationship. Someone takes without giving.
Taken advantage of someone's trust.
Overly attached to someone. Blindly in love.
Not seeing other person negative traits.
Healing a broken relationship. Reconciliation is still possible.
Three of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Success, Triumph, Victory, Favourable issue; Reversed: Expedition of business, Quickness, Celerity, Vigilance.
A.E. Waite (1911): Maidens in a garden-ground with cups uplifted, as if pledging one another. Divinatory Meanings: The conclusion of any matter in plenty, perfection and merriment; happy issue, victory, fulfilment, solace, healing. Unexpected advancement for a military man. Reversed: Expedition, dispatch, achievement, end. It signifies also the side of excess in physical enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses. Consolation, cure, end of the business.
Joyful Connections. Creative collaborations.
Sociable period. Holiday season. Vacation with friends.
A close circle of friends. Community spirit. Like-minded people.
Sharing and creating. Creative endeavour. Art class.
Time of giving. Helping others. Sharing the same interests.
Reversed Three of Cups
Too much of a joy. Celebration is gone wild.
Overindulgence with social life. Nights-out, partying.
Feeling alone in a crowd. Exclusion from a circle. Treason.
Losing connection with friends, family. Missing of being in a group.
Yearning for connectivity with others.
Tired of being with others. Taking a break from the social scene.
Break up, split up of a group.
A third person is involved in a relationship and it is too much of a crowd.
Four of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Ennui, Displeasure, Discontent, Dissatisfaction; Reversed: New Acquaintance, Conjecture, Sign, Presentiment.
A.E. Waite (1911): A young man is seated under a tree and contemplates three cups set on the grass before him; an arm issuing from a cloud offers him another cup. His expression notwithstanding is one of discontent with his environment. Divinatory Meanings: Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations, as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only; another wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered the wastrel, but he sees no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure. Contrarieties. Reversed: Novelty, presage, new instruction, new relations. Presentiment.
Stagnation. Apathy. Boredom. Dullness. Sulkiness.
Lost interest. Little or no motivation. Making little effort.
Indifference. Can’t be bothered. Emotional weariness.
Self-absorption. Fixated on what is missing. Dreamland.
Being too confined in own beliefs. Missed opportunity.
Feeling sad about some restrictions.
Reconsideration. Self-reflection. Withdrawal. Detachment.
Introspection. Meditation. Self-imposed isolation.
Reversed Four of Cups
Retreat. Reluctance. Re-evaluation.
Remorse. Regret. Rejection.
Realizing a missed opportunity.
Time of emotional introspection, withdrawal. Not meeting people.
Desire for a new understanding, inspiration. Looking at your emotional state.
It may be a symptom of a Release. End of a period of apathy, depression but still feeling attached to a resentment.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Union, Junction, Marriage, Inheritance; Reversed: Arrival, Return, News, Surprise, False projects.
Grieving. Grievance. Grudge.
Emotional loss. Sadness. Sorrow. Regret. Self-pity.
Crying over spilt milk. Ashamed.
Weeping over a past failure. Lingering to suffering.
Seeing only the negative. Turning away from the positive.
Not seeing clearly the whole of a situation.
Refusing to see a better future.
Reversed Five of Cups
Painful experience. Implications of the past.
Feelings of guilt or shame. Blaming others for mistakes.
Glitter of hope. Coming out from the dark place.
Painful experience. Implications of the past.
Feelings of guilt or shame. Blaming others for mistakes.
Glitter of hope. Coming out from the dark place.
Return of optimism possible.
Willing to be more hopeful.
Time to let go of internal suffering.
Time to let go of internal suffering.
New opportunities are available.
Six of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): The Past, passed by, Faded, Vanished, Disappeared; Reversed: The Future, that which is to come, Shortly, Soon.
A.E. Waite (1911): Children in an old garden, their cups filled with flowers. Divinatory Meanings: A card of the past and of memories, looking back, as--for example--on childhood; happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past; things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, giving new relations, new knowledge, new environment, and then the children are disporting in an unfamiliar precinct. Pleasant memories. Reversed: The future, renewal, that which will come to pass presently. Inheritance to fall in quickly.
Nostalgia. Enjoying past innocence. Simple contentment. Feeling carefree.
Appreciating simple joys. Being taken care of. Sweetness in the air.
Happy memories. Revisiting old places. Old fun times.
Travel back to a childhood home. Reconnecting with old friends, love, roots.
Happy children. Childhood experience. Being with a child or young person.
Act of kindness, charity. Goodness. Playfulness. Enjoying youthful activities.
Sharing or receiving a gift. Small kind gestures, but so important.
Reversed Six of Cups
Clinging to the past. Losing touch with the present.
Reflection and nostalgia bring negative feelings.
Wishing for ‘how things used to be’.
Act of kindness, charity. Goodness. Playfulness. Enjoying youthful activities.
Sharing or receiving a gift. Small kind gestures, but so important.
Reversed Six of Cups
Clinging to the past. Losing touch with the present.
Reflection and nostalgia bring negative feelings.
Wishing for ‘how things used to be’.
Opportunity to make peace with the past. Learning from past mistakes.
Forgiving, letting go of the past. Cutting off from the past.
Have lost touch with the inner child. Taking too many responsibilities.
Forgiving, letting go of the past. Cutting off from the past.
Have lost touch with the inner child. Taking too many responsibilities.
Seven of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Idea, Sentiment, Reflection, Project; Reversed: Plan, Design, Resolution, Decision.
Ideals. Illusions. Excessive imagination. Utopia. Unrealistic visions.
Wishful thinking. Daydreaming. Difficult to make things come true.
Being on the loose. Letting everything go. Sloppy, impractical, lax energy.
Being fascinated by castles in the air. Not grounded enough.
Not taking action. Being in the idea phase. False promises.
Crazy environment. Decadence, intoxication, addiction, self-indulgence.
Shiny new objects have a ‘magic’ power. Mind-boggling situation.
Shiny new objects have a ‘magic’ power. Mind-boggling situation.
Reversed Seven of Cups
Taking a step back and seeing the absurdity of a situation. Dispersing false promises.
Taking a step back and seeing the absurdity of a situation. Dispersing false promises.
Different, realistic attitude needed. Being overwhelmed by emotional confusion.
Seeing things more clearly. Not following the path of emotional indulgence.
Deciding on taking one idea from multiple choices.
False promises. Fall of grand but untrue vision.
Eight of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): A fair Girl, Friendship, Attachment, Tenderness; Reversed: Gaiety, Feasting, Joy, Pleasure.
Retreat. Leaving. Escaping. Letting go. Walking away. Desolation.
Something is wrong. What was working is no longer working.
Leaving a job, location, relationship. Putting everything behind.
Sadness as you say goodbye. Feeling tired and dispirited.
The event is gone, the situation is finished. Time for a new direction.
The end is approaching. New path. Moving on.
Seeking deeper meaning. Looking for answers.
Something is missing, particularly on an emotional level.
Possible health problems.
Avoiding some issues and concerns. Avoiding the scene altogether.
Reversed Eight of Cups
Emotional unfulfillment. Refusing to accept the circumstances. Accepting melancholy.
Avoiding some issues and concerns. Avoiding the scene altogether.
Reversed Eight of Cups
Emotional unfulfillment. Refusing to accept the circumstances. Accepting melancholy.
Coming back from a retreat. Recovering. New visions goals and dreams.
Drifting from one place to the next. Struck of good luck possible.
Drifting from one place to the next. Struck of good luck possible.
Following creative inspiration.
Emotional exhaustion.
Nine of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): Victory, Advantage, Success, Triumph, Difficulties surmounted; Reversed: Faults, Errors, Mistakes, Imperfections.
A.E. Waite (1911): A goodly personage has feasted to his heart's content, and abundant refreshment of wine is on the arched counter behind him, seeming to indicate that the future is also assured. The picture offers the material side only, but there are other aspects. Divinatory Meanings: Concord, contentment, physical bien-être; also victory, success, advantage; satisfaction for the Querent or person for whom the consultation is made. Of good augury for military men. Reversed: Truth, loyalty, liberty; but the readings vary and include mistakes, imperfections, etc. Good business.
Contentment. Pride. Self-satisfaction. Complacency. Smugness.
Good prospects. Neat and orderly fashion.
Feeling that all is well and as it should be.
Self-realisation. Accomplishments.
Proud about amorous exploits.
Enjoying life pleasures. Savouring moments.
However, joy may be for only a limited period.
However, joy may be for only a limited period.
Reversed Nine of Cups
Confinement. Emotional seclusion. False contentment.
Short-term pleasure. Unrealistic wishes.
Something is missing deep down. Feeling bored.
Results are not satisfying. Dreaming.
Needs and wishes need to be fulfilled.
Ten of Cups
MacGregor Mathers (1888): The Town wherein one resides, Honour, Consideration, Esteem, Virtue, Glory, Reputation; Reversed: Combat, Strife, Opposition, Differences, Dispute.
Happiness. Togetherness. Optimism.
Being happy together. Happy domestic life.
Being in the Flow. Blissful time.
Surrounded by loved ones. Mutual love.
Long-term happy commitment. Strong bonds.
Soul mates destined to be with one another.
Emotional fulfilment.
Reversed Ten of Cups
Disconnected relationship. Someone's not happy. Something is wrong at home.
It's not easy to create a happy relationship.
Struggling to empathise and engage with one another.
Struggling to empathise and engage with one another.
Ups and downs in a happy relationship. Seeking out an ideal relationship.
A misalignment of personal values. False friendship.
Neglecting family while pursuing own goals. Spending less time with family.
Not achieving the sense of contentment and happiness as hoped for.
Page of Cups
A misalignment of personal values. False friendship.
Neglecting family while pursuing own goals. Spending less time with family.
Not achieving the sense of contentment and happiness as hoped for.
Page of Cups
Pages are messengers. They are of a small useful service. Represent an emerging situation or a communication, information. They are in the process of formation, so no specific outcome yet. It is usually an offer, an encounter, a suggestion that should serve well.
Pages may point out to a young or immature person in your life that has some special meaning in the situation.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): A fair Youth, Confidence, Probity, Discretion, Integrity; Reversed: A Flatterer, Deception, Artifice.
Welcome back. Good news from the past.
Welcomed opportunity. Happy encounter.
Believing. Having faith.
Offering support. Listening closely.
Confession. Providing emotional comfort. Keeping secrets.
Confession. Providing emotional comfort. Keeping secrets.
Positive expectation.
Something is about to sprout. An event that stirs emotions.
Something is about to sprout. An event that stirs emotions.
An uplifting and encouraging sign.
New on the horizon. Beginning of a relationship.
Love affair. Flirt. Romance.
Learning by heart. Letting the heart lead the way.
Kind. Affectionate. Shy. Idealistic.
Music. Art. Poetry. Beauty. Fashion. Style. Design.
Daydreaming. Fantasy. Sentimentality. Immaturity.
Kind. Affectionate. Shy. Idealistic.
Music. Art. Poetry. Beauty. Fashion. Style. Design.
Daydreaming. Fantasy. Sentimentality. Immaturity.
Reversed Page of Cups
Doubts. Refusal. Regret. Not bringing forward.
Minor worry. Inner critic. Creative block.
A relationship is fading. Being unfaithful. Letting out secrets.
Naivety. 'Peter Pan Syndrome'. Living in a fantasy world.
Escapism. Shallowness. Irresponsibility.
Flirtatious. Frivolous. Capricious.
Unhappy child. Spoiled child.
Knight of Cups
Knights are on a special mission - to deliver something or to defend something, each accordingly to the suits they belong. Knights are always in service. The nature of their service depends on whom they serve. Any Major Arcana or Court Card in a spread will be the lord over them. Surrounded only by Minor Arcana may suggest that the knight is not serving a high and mighty purpose, as he should. He's mission might be degraded to the common pursuit - often of vanity, low desires, immature, hasty action.
More: Tarot - The KnightsMacGregor Mathers (1888): Arrival, Approach, Advance; Reversed: Duplicity, Abuse of Confidence, Fraud, Cunning.
Act of Kindness. Care. Charity. Creativity.
On a mission to spread peace or love.
Sensitive issues are involved. Emotional approach.
Motivated by action on care, creativity, social justice.
Engaging in positive action. Offering healing.
Social activists for a common good cause.
Helping actively. Bringing support.
Chevalier. In touch with a feminine side.
Led by heart. Ready to act upon heart calling.
Positive values.
Reversed Knight of Cups
Good vibrations restrained. The past needs healing.
Good vibrations restrained. The past needs healing.
Not being able to take active participation.
Not being able to act on a creative project.
Positive action not grounded in reality.
Frustration Feeling offended. Can't stand refusal.
Fighting a seemingly lost cause.
The positive mission is halted, dismissed, not right.
Disappointment. Refusal.
Queen of Cups
A.E. Waite (1911): Beautiful, fair, dreamy--as one who sees visions in a cup. This is, however, only one of her aspects; she sees, but she also acts, and her activity feeds her dream. Divinatory Meanings: Good, fair woman; honest, devoted woman, who will do service to the Querent; loving intelligence, and hence the gift of vision; success, happiness, pleasure; also wisdom, virtue; a perfect spouse and a good mother. Sometimes denotes a woman of equivocal character. Reversed: The accounts vary; good woman; otherwise, distinguished woman but one not to be trusted; perverse woman; vice, dishonour, depravity. A rich marriage for a man and a distinguished one for a woman.
A.E. Waite (1911): He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. The implicit is that the Sign of the Cup naturally refers to water, which appears in all the court cards. Divinatory Meanings: Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence. Beware of ill-will on the part of a man of position, and of hypocrisy pretending to help. Reversed: Dishonest, double-dealing man; roguery, exaction, injustice, vice, scandal, pillage, considerable loss.
Benevolent Father Figure. Self-help books.
Queen of Cups
Queens are 'mothers' of the element. They are mastering the element from inside and have deep understanding and fondness about it. They appreciate the element's gifts and inspire others to do the same.
The Queen's tap into the element's energy by nurturing and caring. They have gentle and subtle influence, yet with a strong impact.
As events, Queens represent creativity and ideas coming to fruition. They provide nourishment that will keep your ideas and actions going.
They may represent people aged between 30 and 50 with a good amount of life experience, some authority, strong personal power, mature character.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): A fair Woman, Success, Happiness, Advantage, Pleasure; Reversed: A Woman in good position, but intermeddling, and to be distrusted; Success, but with some attendant trouble.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): A fair Woman, Success, Happiness, Advantage, Pleasure; Reversed: A Woman in good position, but intermeddling, and to be distrusted; Success, but with some attendant trouble.
Reverence. Adoration. Veneration. Exaltation.
Appreciation. Affection. Acceptance.
Consolation. Solace. Alleviation.
Compassion. Empathy.
Commitment. Believe.
Imaginative, artistically gifted. Intuitive.
Tender-hearted, kind, gentle, therapeutic.
Connecting on an emotional level.
Unconditionally giving, caring.
Connecting on an emotional level.
Unconditionally giving, caring.
Religious person. Healer. Artist. Nun.
Sensitive friend. Counsellor. Loving wife, mother.
Reversed Queen of Cups
Idolatry. Bigotry. Profanity. Desecration. Disrespect. Menace.
Reversed Queen of Cups
Idolatry. Bigotry. Profanity. Desecration. Disrespect. Menace.
Too emotional. Focusing on own emotional well-being.
Taking care of own feelings. Emotional detachment, attachment.
Giving too much. Fostering dependency. Over-devotional.
Over-sensitive. Bottling up feelings. In need of self-care.
Taking care of own feelings. Emotional detachment, attachment.
Giving too much. Fostering dependency. Over-devotional.
Over-sensitive. Bottling up feelings. In need of self-care.
Emotional manipulation, subversion.
King of Cups
King of Cups
Kings most often stand in for other people. Expect a King to be of aid.
Since the Kings rule the suits, other cards from the suit will be beholden to the meaning represented by the king.
MacGregor Mathers (1888): A fair Man, Goodness, Kindness, Liberality, Generosity; Reversed: A Man of good position, but shifty in his Dealings, Distrust, Doubt, Suspicion.
Creativity. Art and Science.
Dignity. Respect. Diplomacy.
Beliefs. Faith. Spirituality. Ethics.
Mastering emotions. Emotional maturity and stability.
Guiding others with loving attention.
Giving advise. Listening attentively.
Wisdom comes from the heart.
Seeing right to the heart of a matter.
Understanding many levels of experience.
Diffusing a tense situation. Emotional support.
Diffusing a tense situation. Emotional support.
Calm. Responsive. Composed. Patient. Tolerant.
Priest. Mentor. Counsellor. Artist. Therapist. Doctor. Teacher.
Charity work.
Reversed King of Cups
Hoping to gain emotional control. Emotional manipulation
Reversed King of Cups
Hoping to gain emotional control. Emotional manipulation
Dishonesty. Double-dealing. Robbery. Blackmail.
Emotional upset. Repressing emotions. Withdrawing.
Considerable loss. Fraud art.
