The Suit of Cups

Introduction

The Suit of Cups in tarot represents the emotional and intuitive realms. Associated with the element Water, Cups deal with feelings, relationships, imagination, and the subconscious. This suit flows through the heart, touching on love, empathy, dreams, and spiritual connection.

Astrology Associations:

  • Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Whether you’re navigating a relationship, tuning into your intuition, or seeking emotional healing, the Cups speak directly to the soul’s emotional journey.

Ace of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • New Love
  • Beginning
  • Creativity
  • Spiritual Connection
  • Joy

Reversed Keywords:

  • Emotional Block
  • Repressed Feelings
  • Missed Opportunity
  • Sadness
  • Creative Drought

Upright Overview:

The Ace of Cups is the beginning of emotional and spiritual fulfillment. It symbolizes overflowing love, heart-centered connections, and joyful new experiences. A card of blessings and openness.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card suggests emotional repression or missed chances. You may feel closed off, creatively drained, or disconnected from love or intuition.

Two of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Partnership
  • Mutual Respect
  • Emotional Harmony
  • Union
  • Connection

Reversed Keywords:

  • Breakup
  • Miscommunication
  • Emotional Disconnection
  • Tension
  • Dissatisfactory

Upright Overview:

The Two of Cups represents union, mutual respect, and deep emotional connection. It often points to soulmates, meaningful partnerships, or reconciliation.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, it can indicate separation, misunderstandings, or emotional misalignment in a relationship. The harmony may be disrupted, needing healing or clarity.

Three of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Celebration
  • Friendship
  • Community
  • Reunion
  • Collaboration

Reversed Keywords:

  • Gossip
  • Overindulgence
  • Isolation
  • Lack of Support
  • Cancellation

Upright Overview:

The Three of Cups symbolizes joyful connection, shared success, and community celebration. It’s a card of emotional abundance through togetherness—friendship, weddings, reunions, or spiritual sisterhood or brotherhood.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card may indicate isolation, strained friendships, or overindulgence. It can also point to gossip, exclusion, or a lack of emotional support in social settings.

Four of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Boredom
  • Apathy
  • Re-evaluation
  • Emotional Fatigue
  • Discontent

Reversed Keywords:

  • Awareness
  • Motivation
  • Openness
  • Emotional Breakthrough
  • Renewed Interest

Upright Overview:

The Four of Cups signals emotional stagnation or dissatisfaction. You may be turning inward, feeling disconnected, or uninterested in what life is offering. It encourages reflection but warns against missing new opportunities.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card suggests a shift in energy—renewed interest, emotional awareness, or a second chance to accept what was once overlooked. You may be ready to re-engage with life.

Five of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Grief
  • Regret
  • Loss
  • Negativity
  • Emotional Pain

Reversed Keywords:

  • Healing
  • Acceptance
  • Moving On
  • Emotional Recovery
  • Forgiveness

Upright Overview:

The Five of Cups represents sorrow and disappointment. It’s a card of mourning what has been lost or didn’t work out. However, it also reminds you that not all is lost—there’s still hope if you’re willing to turn around.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, the card suggests emotional healing and the beginning of recovery. You’re finding peace with the past and shifting focus from loss to what remains.

Six of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Nostalgia
  • Childhood Memories
  • Kindness
  • Innocence
  • Sentimental

Reversed Keywords:

  • Dwelling in the Past
  • Unrealistic Expectations
  • Immaturity
  • Stuck in Memories
  • Forgiveness

Upright Overview:

The Six of Cups brings themes of nostalgia, innocence, and emotional warmth from the past. It can point to childhood joy, reunions, or acts of generosity. A card of sweet, familiar energy and emotional safety.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card suggests being overly attached to the past or romanticizing it. It may indicate emotional immaturity or a reluctance to grow beyond old patterns.

Seven of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Choices
  • Fantasy
  • Daydreaming
  • Temptation
  • Illusion

Reversed Keywords:

  • Clarity
  • Realism
  • Decisive Action
  • Focus
  • Escaping Illusion

Upright Overview:

The Seven of Cups represents dreams, options, and illusion. You may be facing many choices, but not all are grounded in reality. It’s a call to pause, reflect, and choose with care and clarity.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card shows the fog lifting—you’re gaining clarity and narrowing your focus. It’s time to make concrete decisions and move forward with purpose.

Eight of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Walking Away
  • Emotional Detachment
  • Soul Searching
  • Leaving Behind
  • Transition

Reversed Keywords:

  • Fear of Change
  • Stuck in the Past
  • Confusion
  • Going Backwards
  • Avoiding the Truth

Upright Overview:

The Eight of Cups symbolizes a conscious decision to walk away from something unfulfilling. It’s a card of emotional growth, introspection, and pursuing deeper meaning, even if it means leaving comfort behind.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, the card may suggest fear of letting go or staying in an emotionally unfulfilling situation. It can also indicate a return to something you once left behind, seeking closure or reconnection.

Nine of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Emotional Fulfillment
  • Contentment
  • Satisfaction
  • Dreams Come True
  • Gratitude

Reversed Keywords:

  • Inner Emptiness
  • Superficial
  • Dissatisfaction
  • Unmet Desires
  • False Success

Upright Overview:

The Nine of Cups is the “wish card”—a sign that emotional satisfaction and personal desires are being fulfilled. It reflects contentment, joy, and gratitude for what you have achieved.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card may reveal superficial happiness or overindulgence. What once brought pleasure may now feel empty, urging a look beneath the surface to find true fulfillment.

Ten of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Harmony
  • Family
  • Long-Term Happiness
  • Peace
  • Alignment

Reversed Keywords:

  • Broken Relationships
  • Misaligned Values
  • Unrealistic Expectations
  • Tension
  • Insecurity

Upright Overview:

The Ten of Cups represents emotional bliss, loving relationships, and lasting harmony. It’s the pinnacle of emotional achievement—family, love, and spiritual alignment in one beautiful card.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this card may point to tension behind the scenes—relationships may not be as perfect as they seem. There may be emotional distance or clashing values disrupting peace.

Page of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • New Emotions
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Intuitive Insight
  • Messages of Love

Reversed Keywords:

  • Emotional Immaturity
  • Creativity Blocks
  • Emotional Confusion
  • Sensitivity
  • Emotional Confusion

Upright Overview:

The Page of Cups brings fresh emotional energy—new relationships, intuitive messages, or a burst of creativity. This card encourages open-heartedness, playfulness, and following your inner voice.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, it may suggest emotional insecurity, immaturity, or creative stagnation. You could be ignoring your intuition or feeling uncertain about expressing emotions authentically.

Knight of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Romance
  • Charm
  • Idealism
  • Emotional Pursuit
  • Follow The Heart

Reversed Keywords:

  • Moodiness
  • Unrealistic Goals
  • Jealousy
  • Emotional Manipulation
  • Insincerity

Upright Overview:

The Knight of Cups is the romantic dreamer of the tarot. He brings messages of love and emotional depth. This card points to creative ventures, poetic gestures, or someone pursuing love or a heartfelt goal.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, this Knight can turn overly idealistic, moody, or emotionally inconsistent. There may be manipulation or disappointment stemming from unrealistic emotional expectations.

Queen of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Compassion
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Intuition
  • Nurturing Energy
  • Empathy

Reversed Keywords:

  • Emotional Overwhelm
  • Co-Dependency
  • Self-Neglect
  • Suppressed Feelings
  • Over-Sensitive

Upright Overview:

The Queen of Cups is deeply intuitive, nurturing, and emotionally balanced. She embodies compassion, deep understanding, and quiet strength. She invites you to trust your inner guidance and care for others with an open heart.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, she may point to emotional burnout, codependency, or neglecting your own needs. There could be suppressed emotions or difficulty managing empathy and boundaries.

King of Cups

Upright Keywords:

  • Emotional Maturity
  • Wisdom
  • Calmness
  • Kindness
  • Trustworthy

Reversed Keywords:

  • Manipulation
  • Emotional Coldness
  • Coldness
  • Avoidance
  • Lack of Control

Upright Overview:

The King of Cups represents emotional control, maturity, and compassion. He balances heart and mind, offering support and wisdom. A symbol of leadership through empathy and understanding.

Reversed Overview:

Reversed, he may become emotionally manipulative or withdrawn. There may be hidden feelings, volatility, or struggles with expressing emotions healthily.

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Minor Arcana

Major Arcana