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Category: Minor Arcana
The Two of Cups is the second card in the Cups suit of the Minor Arcana, following the Ace of Cups. This card signifies partnership, one-to-one connection, and mutual respect in relationships. Additionally, the powerful lion’s head depicted at the top of the card suggests passion and sexual power.
Two of Cups: Description
In the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, depicted on the card are two individuals, a youth and a maiden, facing each other, each holding a cup. They gaze into each other’s eyes, sharing their emotions through the cups. The exchange of cups signifies the offering and acceptance of emotions, indicating a balanced and reciprocal bond, affinity, union, and concord.
Above their cups rises the Caduceus of Hermes – a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it – symbol of trade, and exchange. Between whose great red wings there appears a lion’s head, suggesting that there may be a lot of fiery and sexual energy between these two people.
Here is the description of the Two of Cups tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck. This deck is the most commonly used in English-speaking countries and is definitely worth having. As mentioned in our list of Best Tarot Decks, it is perfectly suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Click here to purchase the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.
Two of Cups tarot card: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Love – Passion – Partnership – Connection – Mutual respect – Reciprocity – Unity – Affection – Emotional fulfillment – Sexual relation
REVERSED: Disconnection – Lack of reciprocity – Separation – Emotional distance – False love – Folly – Misunderstanding
Two of Cups: Meaning
What does the Two of Cups Tarot mean? Here, we will unravel its meanings in both the upright and reversed positions.
But first, to better interpret its meanings, let’s highlight its connection with a Major Arcana card: The Lovers Tarot card. Just as in The Lovers, in the Two of Cups, energies converge to forge a shared connection, unity, love, and passion.
Upright Meaning
In the upright position, the Two of Cups symbolizes harmonious partnerships, deep emotional connections, and mutual respect in relationships. It signifies the coming together of two individuals on an equal and balanced level, where there is a strong sense of unity and understanding. This is demonstrated in the illustration by how the individuals are represented: none of them is dominating over the other; instead, they face each other directly, holding their cups.
This card can represent the union of any two entities – people, groups, ideas, or talents. But more frequently it indicates strong friendships or romantic relationships – whether it’s the beginning of a new relationship or the strengthening of an existing partnership. The Two of Cups encourages open communication, cooperation, unity, and the sharing of feelings and emotions.
Two individuals, one partnership – unity, passion, and emotional respect.
The card primarily represents one-to-one relationships, urging individuals to come together rather than remain apart. It’s a time for partnership and collaboration. The Two of Cups suggests a period of harmony and mutual support in personal connections, fostering emotional fulfillment and love. Platonic relationships also benefit from its influence.
The card also signifies sexual attraction. This is depicted by the lion’s head at the top, symbolizing both unity and romantic, passionate energy. Additionally, the Two of Cups is associated with reconciliation, indicating that even broken relationships can benefit from its healing power.
Reversed Meaning
In the reversed position, the Two of Cups suggests disconnection and imbalance in relationships. It may indicate a breakdown in communication, emotional distance, or a lack of mutual understanding between parties. This card warns against neglecting the needs of the partnership or failing to prioritize mutual respect and cooperation.
Sometimes, the reversed card doesn’t signify disconnection from the other, but rather within oneself. If emotionally distant internally, one cannot create a reciprocal union and connection with others. In this case, the card reminds to prioritize self-love first. Only when this is rebalanced it’s possible to work towards (re)blossoming union with others.
In romantic relationships, the Two of Cups could signify separation, disagreements, or even false love. The reversed Two of Cups may suggest that one or both individuals are not fully committed or invested in the relationship, leading to feelings of betrayal or disappointment. It urges individuals to address underlying issues and work towards restoring harmony and connection in their relationships.
Two of Cups: Love meaning
In matters of love, the Two of Cups holds significant symbolism both upright and reversed.
In the upright position, this card embodies deep emotional connections, mutual respect, and harmonious partnerships. For those in relationships, it signifies a period of unity, affection, shared intimacy, and sexual power. It represents the beginning of a romantic journey or the deepening of existing bonds. Singles may find themselves drawn to soulmate connections or experiencing a profound attraction to someone who mirrors their emotions and values, whether in a romantic or strong friendship capacity.
In the reversed position, the Two of Cups warns of potential challenges in love. It suggests disharmony, emotional distance, or a lack of reciprocity within relationships. Couples may face misunderstandings, and even separations if underlying issues are not addressed. Singles might encounter difficulties in finding genuine connections or may struggle with self-love and acceptance, hindering their ability to form healthy partnerships.
Two of Cups: Key symbols
Here, we will explore some of the key symbols of the Two of Cups Tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck. This card is rich in symbolism, and we will specifically delve into these key symbols: the two individuals, the two Cups they hold, and the Caduceus.
The Two individuals – A woman and a Man
The central figures in the Two of Cups card in the Rider-Waite deck are two individuals positioned facing each other. Their arrangement implies a sense of equality and mutual respect within their relationship, highlighting the importance of balance and reciprocity in partnerships, whether romantic, friendly, or otherwise.
These figures, a woman and a man, are drawn to each other, despite their contrasting natures. They represent both similarities and differences, yet they are united in their readiness to connect and merge energies and emotions. With two distinct individuals depicted, this card primarily signifies one-to-one partnerships.
The intertwining of the individuals’ arms is another significant aspect. As they face each other, their arms are linked, symbolizing unity and connection. This visual representation reflects the intertwining of their lives and emotions, suggesting a robust bond and mutual support. The entwined arms also convey the concepts of cooperation and unity, as they navigate their relationship journey together.
The Two Cups
Held by each individual is a cup, symbolizing the sharing and exchange of emotions, feelings, and energy between them. The cups represent the emotional bond and connection that forms the foundation of their relationship. They also signify the offering and acceptance of love and affection.
The cups can also be seen as chalices or goblets. They can be associated with the human heart, and if read in this context, in this card, there are two chalices representing the two hearts of the individuals.
The Caduceus
Above the heads of the individuals is the Caduceus, a symbol traditionally associated with Hermes and representing commerce, trade, and exchange. The Caduceus symbolizes Hermes (or the Roman Mercury), the messenger of the gods, and is linked to trades and occupations associated with the god.
The presence of the Caduceus suggests a harmonious exchange between the two parties, indicating mutual benefit and cooperation in their relationship. It signifies trust in one another’s dealings.
Unusually, at the top of the Caduceus, there is a lion’s head. This element represents fire energy, indicating fiery, sexual energy between the two people. It serves as the “Cherry on the Caduceus“.
Two of Cups: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
Some interpretations may suggest that in the upright position, the Two of Cups tarot card undoubtedly indicates that the answer to your question is “yes”. In fact, the Two of Cups denotes healthy relationships and positive vibes. Otherwise, in the reversed position, the Two of Cups during a yes-or-no reading is considered a “no” response to your query.
However, it’s important to note that these interpretations are superficial and not entirely accurate. In fact, Tarot cannot provide such direct answers, and the future cannot be predicted with certainty. Tarot’s true power lies in helping individuals become more aware of themselves and their emotions, using the cards as a tool for deeper self-reflection and understanding.
To learn more about yes-or-no Tarot readings, click here.
Two of Cups in Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks
The Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks have notable differences in symbolism, art style, and how they show the Minor Arcana.
The Rider-Waite deck, made in the early 20th century, has detailed scenes on all cards, including the Minor Arcana, which help convey the card’s meaning clearly. This makes it beginner-friendly as the imagery aids intuitive reading.
In contrast, the Marseille Tarot, originating from the 17th century, takes a more traditional approach. Especially in the Minor Arcana, it uses geometric arrangements of suit symbols (cups, pentacles, swords, and wands) without detailed scenes like the Rider-Waite deck.
In the Marseille version of the Two of Cups, two cups, slightly smaller than the Ace, are depicted. They are of equal size and perfectly symmetrical. The illustration is completely different from the Rider-Waite version of the card, but the meaning is similar. In both cases, they represent a partnership – whether love or friendship. It symbolizes the duality of objects and, at the same time, the connection, unity, and shared experiences or emotions.
