Archetype
The Five of Cups symbolizes grief and loss. It is a card of sadness, pain, despair, and melancholy. It shows that something extremely important has left our lives forever.At the same time, it is a harbinger of future changes and potential growth that will come after the loss. You just need to go with the flow and not lose hope. The card reminds us that we are not alone in our grief and can always count on the sympathy and help of loved ones.
However, there is a way out of the situation: the card advises not to dwell on grief for too long and reminds us that life is not over. Your suffering is real, and the loss is significant, but new joys and new acquisitions lie ahead.
Symbolism of the Card
The card depicts a figure in a black cloak. The person's face is not visible—they are in despair and do not want to open up to the world.Five cups lie on the ground: three are overturned, and two are still standing. However, the person seems not to notice the two standing cups, as they focus on mourning the fallen ones.
A river flows between the person and a castle in the distance—this is a stream of emotions that separates them from their home.
It seems that this card, also designed in dark tones, symbolizes despair and an endless streak of bad luck. However, behind the man, two cups still stand, and in the distance, where the river curves, a bridge is visible. One only needs to look around, and a way out of the situation will present itself.
Key Meaning
The Five of Cups card symbolizes disappointment caused by a situation that did not go as planned. The querent feels unhappy because things turned out differently than expected.The card points to thoughts that keep us trapped in the past, preventing us from seeing future opportunities. Missed chances lead to despair, self-blame, and self-pity.
General Meaning of the Upright Card
Fives of all four suits are not the most "desirable" cards in a spread. In combination with the Suit of Cups, the arcana speaks of quite negative factors affecting the querent's life.The Five of Cups is a card of loss and disappointment, especially in personal relationships. It is worth noting that these losses are not necessarily related to the present. They could have happened long ago, but the pain from them is still fresh.
The Five of Cups upright may indicate that the querent is unwilling to learn from their mistakes, which led to the current state of affairs. There is a high probability that, due to dwelling on the past, they are missing new opportunities.
The main mistake one can make with this card is getting stuck in fears, doubts, and sorrows. If you learn to critically analyze even the most seemingly destructive event, you can find a lifeline.
At the same time, the Five of Cups can be a harbinger of reconciliation (marriage or business partnership) after a quarrel, or it may promise an inheritance, though not as significant as the querent expected. On more superficial levels, it indicates a change of plans, environment, or personal circumstances.
General Meaning of the Reversed Card
The appearance of the reversed Five of Cups in a spread has a more optimistic meaning than in its upright position. The card may suggest the possibility of reclaiming what was lost and the need to look at the situation from a new perspective.On the events level, this card can be interpreted as news, the return of an old friend, or reconciliation with a loved one.
The reversed Five of Cups indicates that better times are ahead. The pain associated with this card has not completely passed but has dulled – you can move forward.
Finally, the reversed Five of Cups may indicate the emergence of a new perspective that will bring you peace or the arrival of news that will add variety to your life.
The Meaning of the Five of Cups in Love (Upright)
In the context of relationships, the Five of Cups can indicate a possible breakup, tension, and arguments with a partner. In matters of love and relationships, this card usually associates with "emotional" loss, but the situation is not hopeless – it can still be fixed. In this sense, the card brings hope.The Five of Cups in an upright position can also signify disappointment in someone the querent recently loved. The card speaks of deceit by the partner or withholding important information, or of the querent's own uncertainty about the future of the relationship.
The Meaning of the Card in Love When Reversed
A reversed Five of Cups in a love reading indicates that it's time to stop living in the past. In this position, the card represents moving forward. If the querent recently experienced a painful breakup, the arcana will help accept reality: when one chapter ends, another begins.If you are in a relationship, it likely had better times and has recently faced a serious test of strength. Try not to dwell on past hurts and look to the future together with your partner.
If you are still healing from the loss, give yourself time and be kind to yourself – you will soon feel better.
Five of Cups as the Card of the Day
When this card appears in the "Card of the Day" reading, as noted by the tarot reader zoomboola.com, it can have the following meanings:- Upright Position. The card predicts a difficult day. You will feel a strong urge to indulge in self-reflection and nostalgia, feeling sad about things that cannot be changed.
- Reversed Position. Today, you will feel better, begin the healing process, or help past events gain new meaning, which will change your perspectives or even your mindset.
What the Five of Cups Warns About
The Five of Cups can warn and offer the following advice:- Accept your feelings instead of suppressing them. Emotions are a natural part of life, but you need to process them to move forward.
- Don't lose hope. Remember that the darkest hour is just before the dawn, and the sun will rise. You have the strength to change the situation for the better.
- Seek support. The card may advise you to reach out to friends or loved ones, especially during difficult times in life.
Zoomboola
