The Suit of Cups Meanings
Comprehensive guide to the Cups suit in Tarot. Explore meanings, symbolism, and guidance for all 14 cards.
The Suit of Cups
Explore the complete meanings, symbolism, and guidance for every card in the Cups suit.
The Suit of Cups corresponds to the element of Water. It represents emotions, relationships, intuition, and the subconscious. Cups deal with the emotional level of consciousness and are associated with love, feelings, and connections with others. When Cups appear, they indicate a focus on the heart and the inner world. They speak of fertility, imagination, and the flow of feelings.
Element in Readings
Past Influence
Your past was defined by deep emotional experiences, relationships, or spiritual awakenings. A significant connection or heartbreak shaped who you are today.
Present Energy
You are currently navigating the waters of emotion. Follow your heart and intuition. Relationships are highlighted. Be open to receiving love and expressing your feelings.
Future Outcome
The future promises emotional fulfillment and deeper connections. You will find peace and happiness in your relationships. Trust the flow of life and your own intuition.
Context & Spreads
Dominance in Spread
A predominance of Cups suggests the situation is highly emotional. Logic may be clouded by feelings. It points to relationship issues or internal states.
The Journey
Often tracks the journey of the heart: Attraction (Ace/Two), Challenge (Five/Four), Union/Happiness (Ten/Nine).
Yes / No
A "Yes" for love/feelings, "Maybe" for practical matters (follow your heart). It encourages emotional alignment.
Shadow Work
Examine your emotional boundaries. Do you drown in others' feelings? Do you use emotions to manipulate? The shadow of Cups is codependency, escapism, or addiction. Are you avoiding reality?
Meditation
Visualize a calm, blue ocean extending to the horizon. Wade into the water. Feel it cleansing you. Dive deep and breathe underwater. You are safe in the realm of feelings. Let the currents guide you. You are fluid and adaptable.
Elemental Combinations
Ace of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Ace of Cups represents new love, emotional beginnings, and compassion. Your cup overflows with spiritual and emotional abundance.
Daily Guidance
In Love
New love, soul connection, emotional awakening, proposal.
In Career
Creative project, emotional fulfillment at work, new beginning.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Two of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Two of Cups represents a deep connection between two people. It signifies mutual attraction, partnership, and balanced union.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Soulmate connection, engagement, deep bond, reconciliation.
In Career
Strong partnership, balanced collaboration, contract.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Three of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Three of Cups represents celebration, friendship, and coming together in joy. It is a time of happiness shared with others.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Celebration of love, engagement party, supportive friends.
In Career
Team success, collaboration, creative projects, parties.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Four of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Four of Cups suggests a time of introspection and reevaluation. You may be so focused inward that you miss new opportunities.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Boredom in relationship, taking partner for granted, apathy.
In Career
Burnout, missed opportunities, dissatisfaction.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Five of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Five of Cups represents loss, regret, and disappointment. You are focusing on what went wrong rather than what remains.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Heartbreak, mourning lost love, regret over past.
In Career
Business failure, disappointment, focusing on negatives.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Six of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Six of Cups is about nostalgia, happy memories, and revisiting the past. It can indicate reconnecting with someone from your past.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Childhood sweetheart, nostalgic love, ex returning.
In Career
Past job offer, familiar territory, comfortable workplace.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Seven of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Seven of Cups presents many options and opportunities, but warns against wishful thinking. Not everything is as it appears.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Many options, confusion about feelings, fantasy vs reality.
In Career
Many opportunities, need for focus, unrealistic goals.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Eight of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Eight of Cups represents walking away from something that no longer serves you. It is time to seek deeper meaning.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Walking away, ending relationship, seeking more.
In Career
Leaving job, searching for purpose, moving on.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Nine of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Nine of Cups is the "wish card" – your desires are coming true. It represents satisfaction, pleasure, and emotional fulfillment.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Wishes fulfilled, emotional satisfaction, happy relationship.
In Career
Success, wishes granted, recognition, achievement.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Ten of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Ten of Cups represents ultimate emotional fulfillment, happy family life, and lasting harmony. The dream has been achieved.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Happy family, perfect love, marriage, domestic bliss.
In Career
Dream job, work-life balance, fulfilling career.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Page of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Page of Cups brings creative inspiration and intuitive messages. Be open to unexpected offers and emotional surprises.
Daily Guidance
In Love
New romance message, admirer, creative expression of love.
In Career
Creative opportunity, new project, intuitive insights.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Knight of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Knight of Cups is the romantic dreamer of the Tarot. He brings messages of love, creativity, and emotional offerings.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Romantic proposal, charming suitor, declarations of love.
In Career
Creative project, artistic opportunity, following dreams.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
Queen of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The Queen of Cups is deeply intuitive and emotionally intelligent. She offers compassion, comfort, and nurturing energy.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Nurturing love, emotional support, intuitive partner.
In Career
Empathic leadership, counseling, creative fields.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"
King of Cups
Water Element
Upright Meaning
The King of Cups balances emotion with intellect. He is compassionate yet controlled, offering wise counsel.
Daily Guidance
In Love
Emotionally mature partner, stable relationship, counselor.
In Career
Diplomatic leadership, emotional intelligence, mentorship.
Feelings & Advice
"Not specified"