Five of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

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What is the Meaning of the Five of Cups Tarot Card?

The Five of Cups is a surprisingly complex card for being a part of the Minor Arcana.

It is depicted as five golden chalices, three of which have been knocked to their sides while the remaining two stay standing.

This card brings about confirmation of loss, sorrow, and despair, but also signifies that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The three downed cups typically refer to the feelings you already have about your situation.

Whatever it may be that life has thrown at you, it can be hard to come to terms with not being able to put things back as they were.

The Cups suit is related to water, and you certainly cannot refill the fallen chalices with the water they already held.

The two chalices that have been untouched, however, promise that your situation can be salvaged, even if some of its parts have been changed.

five-of-cupsThe Upright Five of Cups Meaning

The position of the Five of Cups in your reading is important in determining what it’s trying to tell you.

In a past position, it is pointing to a time where you experienced life changing loss.

This could be the end of a relationship, being laid off from your job, or the death of a loved one.

Because it appears in the past, this event has forever changed your emotional attitude towards letting go.

While you may have overcome the pain of the situation, it is the reason for how you are approaching your current situation.

The Five of Cups in your present position generally acts as confirmation of the reason you’ve probably decided to be read.

It will appear in this position for those who have recently ended a relationship or have just lost a loved one.

It is showing you that despite all the things you are feeling, it isn’t all bad.

If you feel as though your life doesn’t have any turmoil in it, this means that you should prepare yourself for a rapidly approaching conflict.

If the Five of Cups should fall in your future position, it is a sign that you are missing the red flags that are pointing to a life-changing event.

The good news is that you have plenty of time to prepare. In this position, the card relies more on its positive aspects than its negative ones.

You will absolutely make it out in one piece.

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Work and the Five of Cups

If you’ve been waiting to hear from a potential employer, it’s going to take a bit more time.

The Five of Cups is a good indication that the career path you want, or the one you already have, is not right for you.

Your expectations of your career and the reality of it don’t quite match up.

Continue to be pro-active and keep an eye out for job opportunities that you may not have considered in the past.

Love and the Five of Cups

When the Five of Cups appears in a relationship spread, it’s time to address the problems you’ve experienced in your romantic relationships.

If you’re single, this is a good indication that a past relationship is holding you back from starting a new one. It’s important that you let go of this person so that you can finally move on.

If the Five of Cups appears to you and you are currently in a relationship, there are some rough waters ahead. Your relationship is going to change.

Whether this is for better or worse will be up to you and your partner.

Remember that you cannot go back to a time where things were perfect, but you can choose to use these past mistakes as an opportunity to grow together.

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The Five of Cups and Finances

The Five of Cups related to your finances is a big red flag. Do not make any large purchases or investments at this time.

Since this card signifies loss, keep a watchful eye on your bank account and make sure you are taking care of your monthly expenses in a timely fashion.

Start preparing now for a future monetary setback.

Meaning of the Five of Cups in Health

In a health oriented spread, the Five of Cups is directly related to your mental health.

This card often appears to those who have been withdrawing themselves from social gatherings.

Your mental health does have an effect on your physical health, so it’s important to figure out where these antisocial feelings are coming from and work through them.

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The Five of Cups in Reversed Position

When the Five of Cups appears in the reverse, it’s saying that you have not yet found a way to overcome past emotional pain and instead are living in a perpetual cycle of hurt.

At this time, it is important that you work towards moving forward.

It’s only after you have dealt with your sorrow that you will be free to move onto the next chapter of your life.

Five of Cups Combinations

The Five of Cups paired with The Emperor or The Empress, you can expect a change in the relationship you have with a parent or parental-like figure.

This combination is common for young adults to receive in their readings, especially if they’re leaving for school or planning on moving out on their own.

When paired with The Lovers, you can expect a big rift in your romantic relationships. An explosive argument can leave both parties feeling like the relationship has run its course.

Strength is an attractive card to see paired with the Five of Cups, as it amplifies the positive aspects that this Cup card brings.

This says that despite the hard times, you have the ability to come out on top.

If you want to uncover what has been encoded in your destiny when you were born, there’s a free, personalized numerology report you can grab here.

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