This blog post contains affiliate links. Visit the full disclosure to know more.
Category: Minor Arcana
After encountering the missed opportunities depicted in the Four of Cups card, the journey through the tarot continues with the Five of Cups tarot card. This card, not randomly, delves into the depths of loss, regret, and emotional turmoil. However, amidst the somber imagery lies a glimmer of hope – a path to renewal and growth, waiting to be discovered by those who possess the clarity to see beyond disappointment.
Five of Cups: Description
In the Rider-Waite tarot deck, the Five of Cups card portrays a figure cloaked in black, head bowed in sorrow, set against a desolate landscape. Before him, three spilled cups stand, their contents flowing onto the ground (the nature of this spilled liquid is open to interpretations, which are discussed in the key symbols section). Meanwhile, two cups stand upright behind the figure, unnoticed amidst his despair.
This striking imagery captures the essence of the card, symbolizing the experience of dwelling on past disappointments and missed opportunities, often at the expense of recognizing the potential for renewal and growth.
The presence of the bridge in the background introduces one more layer of symbolism to the card. The bridge can be seen as a pathway or a way forward, suggesting that despite the sorrow depicted in the foreground, there is a way to move beyond it. The bridge leads to a castle, a symbol of security and home.
If the figure can shift his focus from the spilled cups and instead notice the two cups behind him or the bridge leading to the castle, he may find a path to emotional healing and joy.
Five of Cups tarot card: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Loss – Disappointment – Regret – Focusing on the past – Sorrow
REVERSED: Acceptance – Moving on – Forgiveness – Embracing change – Finding joy again
Five of Cups: Upright Meaning
When the Five of Cups appears upright in a tarot reading, it signifies a period of loss, disappointment, or regret. One may find oneself dwelling on past disappointments, self-pity, and regret, unable to let go of what has been lost. This card urges acknowledgment of feelings of sorrow and acceptance of them as a natural part of the healing process.
However, the Five of Cups also serves as a gentle reminder not to become consumed by grief. Instead, focus on the two cups that remain upright behind, symbolizing the opportunities for renewal and growth that still exist. This moment prompts reflection on what can be learned from loss and past experiences and how to move forward with resilience. Remember, even in the midst of sorrow, there is hope for brighter days ahead.
Here are some practical suggestions to handle loss, missed opportunities, and disappointment:
- It’s helpful to set a time limit for self-pity. After this, one may find the way to move on.
- Yes, the past has been what it was and could have been better, but new opportunities and possibilities are always waiting. In a football match, there is always a second time to try to fix the mistakes made the first time.
- To forgive oneself is the first step to release disappointment and to see the new opportunities: if forgiveness is not there, it’s impossible to truly and genuinely move on.
Five of Cups: Reverded Meaning
When the Five of Cups appears reversed in a tarot reading, it suggests a shift towards acceptance, forgiveness, and embracing change. This reversal indicates that the time of dwelling on past disappointments and regrets may be coming to an end. Instead, there is a newfound ability to let go of the sorrow and release the grip of negative emotions.
Acceptance plays a significant role in the reversed Five of Cups. It encourages acknowledging what has been lost but also recognizing the potential for growth and renewal that comes with moving forward. Forgiveness, both of oneself and others, becomes easier as the focus shifts away from dwelling on past mistakes.
Embracing change is another key aspect of the reversed Five of Cups. It signifies a willingness to let go of what cannot be changed and to embrace new opportunities that may arise. Metaphorically, it signifies stopping to stare at the three spilled cups and starting to look at the two still full and standing cups. This card reversed reminds individuals that even in the face of disappointment, there is always the potential for joy and fulfillment if one is open to it.
Five of Cups: Love meaning
In matters of love, the Five of Cups in the upright position suggests a period of emotional turmoil and disappointment. For singles, this may indicate dwelling on past heartbreaks or missed opportunities, making it challenging to open up to new relationships. It advises acknowledging the pain of the past but also focusing on the potential for growth and new beginnings. For couples, it may indicate a phase of discontent or unresolved issues that need to be addressed. However, it also encourages communication and forgiveness to move past these challenges and strengthen the relationship.
In the reversed position, the Five of Cups signals a turning point in matters of love. For singles, it suggests letting go of past hurts and embracing new opportunities for love and connection. It encourages a positive outlook on relationships and the potential for finding joy and fulfillment in new connections. For couples, it indicates a period of healing and renewal, where forgiveness and acceptance of past grievances lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other. It encourages couples to focus on the positives in their relationship and to move forward with a renewed sense of love and commitment.
Five of Cups: Key symbols
Here, we will explore some of the key symbols of the Five of Cups tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck. Specifically, we’ll delve into the details of the cloaked figure dressed in black, the three spilled cups in front of him, and the bridge in the background.
Cloaked Figure dressed in Black
The key symbol of the cloaked figure dressed in black in the Five of Cups tarot card is significant for its representation of grief, sorrow, and emotional turmoil. The figure’s black cloak serves as a visual representation of mourning and sadness, emphasizing the depth of the emotional state depicted in the card.
The cloaked figure is depicted with their head bowed, indicating a sense of deep introspection and sadness. This posture suggests a feeling of being weighed down by sorrow and regret, unable to see beyond the immediate pain and loss experienced. The black color of the cloak further reinforces the idea of being enveloped in darkness and despair.
These emotions are also echoed in the grey, heavy sky, intensifying the somber atmosphere of the card.
Three spilled Cups
As previously mentioned, the three spilled cups in the Five of Cups tarot card serve as a poignant symbol of loss, regret, and missed opportunities. Positioned prominently in the foreground, their overturned state represents the tangible manifestations of emotional upheaval and disappointment. The spilled contents flowing onto the ground symbolize the irretrievable nature of what has been lost, whether it be relationships, opportunities, or dreams.
Regarding the content of the cups, there are two interpretations to consider. The first suggests that the loss may be mainly emotional and feelings-related. This is assumed by the fact that, according to this interpretation, what’s spilled out of the cups is probably water, even though the spilled liquid is colored. The water represents emotions and feelings – as already mentioned in the Ace of Cups tarot card – and here it appears dirty, indicating toxic and negative emotions.
Another interpretation suggests that the spilled liquid is red wine. This interpretation is quite intriguing because in ancient Rome, spilling red wine was considered a disaster. In fact, wine was seen as a pure and perfect beverage since Jesus transformed water into wine.
While the accuracy of these interpretations may be debatable, anyways they offer intriguing insights.
The Bridge
The bridge depicted in the background of the Five of Cups represents a pathway or journey towards emotional healing and renewal. Amidst the desolate landscape and the figure’s sorrowful contemplation, the bridge serves as a beacon of hope, suggesting that despite the current state of despair, there is a way forward.
It symbolizes the opportunity to transcend past disappointments and to move towards a brighter future. Furthermore, the bridge acts as a metaphorical connection between the present moment of grief and a destination of emotional stability and inner peace, as represented by the castle which symbolizes security and home.
The presence of the bridge can be interpreted as a symbol of transition or crossing over from one phase of life to another, signifying the potential for growth and transformation that lies ahead.
Five of Cups: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
Some interpretations suggest that the Five of Cups, in a yes or no tarot reading, generally leans towards a “No”. This is because it indicates the presence of obstacles, losses, missed dreams, or missed opportunities that may be preventing the desired outcome. However, it’s important to note that this card does not necessarily give a definitive “No”. Instead, it serves as a reminder that setbacks can lead to valuable lessons and new opportunities.
While some interpretations may suggest a “No” for the Five of Cups in a yes or no tarot reading, it’s essential to understand that yes or no tarot readings are not always accurate. As explained in the article about the accuracy of yes or no tarot readings, tarot doesn’t provide straightforward answers. Instead, tarot’s true power lies in the awareness of our ability to make choices and intervene in our lives.
Five of Cups in Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks
The Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks present significant contrasts in symbolism, art style, and the depiction of the Minor Arcana, and the Five of Cups is no exception. In these two decks, the card is portrayed in distinctly different ways.
In the Marseille tarot deck, the four cups are arranged in each corner and one in the center. The cups have the same dimensions, and figures are absent – a common feature in the Marseille Minor Arcana.
On the other hand, in the Rider-Waite deck, the imagery we’ve explored throughout this article is depicted: the cloaked figure looks at the prone cups while two others are behind him.
