Five of Cups Keywords

Upright Keywords	Reversed Keywords
loss, grief, disappointment, sadness, mourning, discontent, feeling let down	acceptance, moving on, finding peace, contentment, seeing positives
Skip to Upright Meaning	Skip to Reversed Meaning

Five of Cups Tarot Card Description

There are certain Tarot cards whose imagery immediately conjure up negative emotions, and the Five of Cups carries such weight. This is a card which signifies loss as well as the painful challenges which stem from that particular loss.

The card depicts a figure that is wearing a black cloak. The person hides his face in what seems to be despair. There are five cups on the ground, three of which have fallen while the other two remain standing. The person, however, seem to notice that there are two standing cups as is too busy mourning over those which are fallen. There is a powerful river which flows between him and a house or a castle in the distance, indicating that a torrent of emotions have separated him from home.

Upright Five of Cups Meaning

The Five of Cups symbolizes disappointment and the feelings that come when things go differently than you expected. You are feeling unhappy that a certain situation hasn’t really turned out the way you had hoped it would. Instead of moving towards a more positive perspective, this card seems to say that you are dwelling in the past, inducing feelings of self-pity and regret. The water which is actually spilled from the cups shows that you might have missed an opportunity. It also shows that the problem is mostly emotional and not material or financial.

Instead of moving towards a more positive perspective, this card seems to say that you are dwelling in the past, inducing feelings of self-pity and regret.

The meaning of the Five of Cups shows that you may have certain issues letting go of things which are in the past. What is more, it also shows that you are unwilling to learn from mistakes that you have already committed. The card is often going to reflect a person who is so caught up in his past that he is absolutely incapable of moving on. This means that he has a high chance of missing out on what new joys that the future can bring.

Upright Love Meaning	Upright Career Meaning	Upright Finances Meaning
grieving break up, time of tension and sadness in relationship	taking a step backward in your career, job loss, business loss	financial loss, still things left to salvage

Upright 5 of Cups Tarot Love Meaning

You may be going through a period of mourning right now; there is perhaps much to grieve over. You perhaps are going through a break up of some sort, or if not that, a time of tension and arguments with your partner. It is helpful however, to understand that not all is lost. The 5 of Cups tarot love meaning signals emotional loss, but also that you may be overlooking what is still salvageable, and what has survived. Oftentimes, these bring the seed of hope. Did an argument teach you about something in your relationship? Did it help foster communication that would have otherwise remained silent? Did the break up bring you freedom to explore your individuality beyond your past relationship? As much as there are things to mourn over, the 5 of Cups tarot love meaning also suggests that there are things to look forward to.

Career Meaning - Upright 5 of Cups

The five of cups signifies loss and grief. In the context of your career, this can take place in the form of a loss of a job, business, a coveted project, or partnership. Perhaps you are being forced to take a step backwards in your career. Or it may be that someone with whom you work might abandon the projects you shared, or you may choose to walk away instead. This may be a period of sadness and transformation. These changes are hard, but they offer a learning opportunity. There may be more to salvage than what you initially thought. Try to maintain positive relationships with old coworkers outside of the office. Stay connected to the best elements of what you lost. 

Finances Meaning - Upright 5 of Cups

The five of cups in a financial tarot reading can signify a lack of resources. You might be suffering a substantial economic loss. There may be lots of stress at the moment, and you may have to make sure that you are not spending wastefully in order to build up your financial security once again. It is important now more than ever to remain positive about your situation. Luckily, this card generally always suggests that there are many things that you can still salvage about this situation, so look towards what you already have, as well as your skillset to see what you can use to make up for the loss.

Interpreting the Upright 5 of Cups as Feelings

In the realm of feelings, the 5 of Cups suggests a sense of loss, disappointment, and sadness. This card signifies emotions tied to regrets over past events or missed opportunities. It reflects a period of mourning and focusing on what has been lost rather than what remains. When this card appears, it may indicate a need to process and heal from emotional wounds and find a way to move forward from a place of sorrow and regret. It invites introspection and emotional growth as one navigates through these challenging feelings.

Interpreting the Upright 5 of Cups as Actions

In the realm of actions, the Five of cups advises approaching situations with caution and mindfulness. This card suggests taking time to acknowledge and process feelings of loss or disappointment before moving forward. It encourages actions that involve reflecting on past experiences, learning from mistakes, and finding ways to heal emotional wounds. It prompts you to embrace self-care, seek support from loved ones, and focus on rebuilding a sense of hope and positivity after setbacks. It encourages you to turn your attention towards the cups that are still full rather than those that have spilled.

Interpreting the Upright 5 of Cups as Yes or No

The Upright 5 of Cups is a complex card to interpret as a yes or no answer, as tarot cards in general are not suited towards simple answers like this. However, this card generally leans towards a no, as it suggests that while there may have been disappointments or setbacks, there is still hope and potential for positivity. It signifies a mixed bag of emotions and outcomes, indicating that the situation may not be entirely favorable, but there is room for growth and renewal.

Five of Cups Reversal Meaning

When the card is reversed, the Five of Cups shows a significant recovery from the regret as well as proper acceptance of your past. You are beginning to realize all of the implications of your actions, and you have finally come to appreciate the lessons which can be learned from that experience.

You may even start to recognize the overall value of the painful experience you had in the larger scheme of things. You are seeing that the suffering and grief that you endured gave you strength and imbued you with resilience. You are ready to pick up the two remaining cups which are still full and go on with your life in full force.

Reversed Love Meaning	Reversed Career Meaning	Reversed Finances Meaning
moving on from past relationship, healing from old wounds	job loss leading to better position, healing from career misstep	relief from financial loss, rebuilding financial security

Reversed 5 of Cups Tarot Love Meaning

It is time to stop living in the past, when the reversed 5 of Cups appears in a love tarot reading. This really is the card of moving on, of letting go of past grief and suffering. If you’ve recently gone through a break up, this card can be a welcome sight to help motivate you to accept what has happened, and make peace with it. As this chapter closes in your life, you are making room for new love to appear, one where truly live in the present, and are not comparing current potential romances with your past. If you’re still healing, it’s only natural. Give yourself time, and be gentle; you will find happiness again. If you’re already in a relationship, you may have just gone through a tense period. Hopefully, you and your partner will have had all the discussions you needed in order to feel like you are both understood and heard. Try not to dwell on past hurts and resentments; look towards the future and what the two of you can change, instead of what you cannot.

Career Meaning - Reversed 5 of Cups

The reversed five of cups is a sign of recovery. When it comes to your career, if you’ve recently suffered a setback like a loss of a job, a layoff, or had a business go underwater, the reversed five of cups suggests that you have what you need to in order to move past these terrible times. You are able to recoup some of your losses now. Healing is on the way; you may realize that despite the suffering that you experienced, these losses allowed you to find a position that was much better suited to you. It is also likely that the stress and pain you have been experiencing as a result of these troubles will start to weigh on you less heavily. 

Finances Meaning - Reversed 5 of Cups

If you’ve recently experienced some financial loss or turmoil, the reversed five of cups can signify relief and an end to this period. You may be finding new paths to financial stability by overcoming the losses that you experienced. Maybe you salvaged the remainder of your resources to invest in something worthwhile, like a business or a side-gig that is helping you build your financial cushion. Be proud of what you have overcome.

Interpreting the Reversed 5 of Cups as Feelings

In the realm of feelings, the Reversed 5 of Cups signifies a shift towards acceptance, forgiveness, and emotional healing. This card suggests that feelings of loss and regret are starting to dissipate, making way for a more positive outlook. It indicates a willingness to let go of past disappointments and focus on the blessings and opportunities that still remain. Even if things may not have turned out as planned, the reversed Five of Cups encourages embracing a sense of gratitude, optimism, and a newfound sense of emotional balance. Emotional renewal is on the way.

Interpreting the Reversed 5 of Cups as Actions

When the Reversed 5 of Cups shows up in the context of actions, it calls for actively working towards emotional healing and positive transformation. This card advises taking steps to release any lingering negativity or self-blame from past experiences. It prompts you to engage in activities that promote self-care, forgiveness, and letting go of what no longer serves you. Embracing a mindset of gratitude and focusing on the present moment can help you move forward with a sense of renewal and hope. It encourages actions that lead to emotional growth, resilience, and a brighter outlook on life.

Interpreting the Reversed 5 of Cups as Yes or No

As a yes or no answer, the Reversed 5 of Cups suggests a positive shift in the situation at hand. This card indicates that the emotional obstacles or setbacks you may have faced are beginning to resolve, paving the way for a more favorable outcome. It signifies a turning point towards healing, acceptance, and emotional renewal. If you really want a yes or no answer, the appearance of the reversed 5 of Cups leans more towards a yes, indicating that positive changes and opportunities are on the horizon. Continue to embrace this shift with openness and optimism.

Five of Cups: Reinforcing Cards

We won't be able to list each and every reinforcing card in the deck, but here are some of the first ones that come to mind, as they are often dependent on the reader's interpretations and experiences. The appearance of the Five of Cups alongside any of these cards could intensify this card's themes.

The Tower: The Tower intensifies feelings of disappointment and loss by bringing sudden and drastic change. There is no room or space to prepare, and the loss is swift and dramatic. Together, they highlight the inevitability of painful transformation. Both of these cards emphasize the need to process and accept pain. This combination underscores the importance of resilience and the potential for new beginnings after the storm.

Three of Swords: Both of these cards speak to deep emotional pain and heartbreak. The Three of Swords is a card of sorrow, betrayal, and grief. Paired with the Five of Cups, the combined message is one of acute emotional suffering. Together, these cards urge you to confront these feelings and to allow yourself to grieve fully, and to not rush the healing process.

Death: These two cards highlight the themes of endings and transformation. Death represents the closure of one chapter and the necessary transition to another, while the 5 of cups represents the emotional response to these endings. When these cards are combined, they push us towards acceptance while looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Five of Cups: Opposing Cards

Opposing cards can provide a different perspective. In a reading, you may find that they create interesting points of tension between the Five of Cups, sometimes giving a much needed balance to the reading, or indicating some kind of inner conflict.

Three of Cups: The Three of Cups embodies celebration and community, at odds with the isolation and sadness of the Five of Cups. While the Five of Cups focuses on personal grief, the Three of Cups encourages you to connect with others, share in joy, and find solace in collective happiness.

• Isolation and sadness vs Celebration and community
• Personal grief vs Shared joy
• Solitude vs Togetherness

Six of Wands: The Six of Wands symbolizes victory and recognition, conflicting with the sorrow and disappointment in the Five of Cups. While the Five of Cups focuses on loss, the Six of Wands celebrates success and achievement, urging you to overcome setbacks and bask in well-deserved glory.

• Sorrow and disappointment vs Victory and recognition
• Loss vs Success and achievement
• Overcoming setbacks vs Basking in glory

Nine of Cups: The Nine of Cups represents emotional fulfillment and satisfaction, at odds with the sadness and regret of the Five of Cups. While the Five of Cups dwells on past sorrows, the Nine of Cups promises contentment and happiness, encouraging you to focus on present joys and cultivate gratitude for what you have.

• Sadness and regret vs Emotional fulfillment and satisfaction
• Dwelling on past sorrows vs Focusing on present joys
• Regret vs Cultivating gratitude

Five of Cups Tarot Cheat Sheet