☽︎Sky and Signs

Tarot · Cups

Five of Cups

Five of Cups: A figure in a black cloak looks down at three spilled cups while two cups still stand behind; a river and a bridge lead to a castle.

The picture

A figure in a black cloak looks down at three spilled cups while two cups still stand behind; a river and a bridge lead to a castle.

The meaning

Three cups have fallen over, two still stand, but the figure does not see them. The tradition reads the Five of Cups as regret and sorrow over something that did not turn out as hoped. It stands for a loss you are allowed to give time to. The bridge in the background shows that a path leads on.

Reversed

Reversed, it is read as acceptance, and the moment you turn towards the two cups still standing.

In love

In love it is read as disappointment or regret that wants to be spoken.

At work

At work it stands for a setback you learn from and move on.

As your card of the day

Something that did not work out is allowed to hurt today. Afterwards, turn round: two cups are still standing.

The Five of Cups is a reminder of what has remained. Count today what is still yours.

Cups belong to water. By tradition they stand for feelings, relationships and whatever moves us inside.

Picture: Pamela Colman Smith, Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, 1909, public domain (Wikimedia Commons).