Minor Arcana: Cups
The Cups suit in tarot represents emotions, relationships, intuition, and the element of water. It often speaks to matters of the heart, compassion, and how we connect with others on an emotional level. In readings, Cups cards can highlight love, friendship, creativity, and spiritual flow. When reversed or in challenging positions, they may indicate emotional blocks, misunderstandings, or the need for inner healing.
Ace of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups
Cups Minor Arcana Overview
The Cups suit in tarot embodies the world of emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. Each card carries a unique message, offering insight into the state of your heart and your connections with others.
| Card | Keywords | Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | Love, New Feelings, Intuition | Emotional beginnings, deep connections, spiritual awakening. | Blocked emotions, emotional loss, repressed feelings. |
| Two of Cups | Partnership, Unity, Mutual Respect | Harmonious relationships, romantic attraction, balanced connection. | Breakups, imbalance, misunderstanding between partners. |
| Three of Cups | Celebration, Friendship, Joy | Reunions, social gatherings, shared happiness. | Overindulgence, gossip, canceled celebrations. |
| Four of Cups | Contemplation, Apathy, Reevaluation | Introspection, reassessing desires, emotional withdrawal. | New opportunities, awareness, seizing chances. |
| Five of Cups | Loss, Regret, Disappointment | Grief, focusing on the negative, emotional setbacks. | Acceptance, moving on, finding peace. |
| Six of Cups | Nostalgia, Childhood, Memories | Innocence, happy memories, reconnecting with the past. | Stuck in the past, unrealistic expectations. |
| Seven of Cups | Choices, Illusion, Fantasy | Opportunities, imagination, creative visions. | Clarity, decisive action, avoiding temptation. |
| Eight of Cups | Abandonment, Search for Truth | Letting go, soul searching, moving toward deeper meaning. | Avoidance, fear of change, aimless drifting. |
| Nine of Cups | Satisfaction, Gratitude, Contentment | Wishes fulfilled, emotional well-being, joy. | Discontent, materialism, dissatisfaction. |
| Ten of Cups | Harmony, Love, Alignment | Happy family, fulfillment, lasting happiness. | Broken relationships, domestic disharmony. |
| Page of Cups | Inspiration, Curiosity, Sensitivity | New emotional experiences, creative beginnings. | Emotional immaturity, creative block. |
| Knight of Cups | Romance, Charm, Idealism | Pursuit of love, following the heart, invitations. | Moodiness, unrealistic expectations, jealousy. |
| Queen of Cups | Compassion, Calm, Emotional Depth | Empathy, nurturing, strong intuition. | Insecurity, emotional dependence, hypersensitivity. |
| King of Cups | Balance, Diplomacy, Wisdom | Emotional mastery, compassion, wise leadership. | Coldness, manipulation, emotional withdrawal. |
Real-Life Examples of Tarot Cups Cards
Ace of Cups
A new relationship sparks a deep emotional awakening, where love and connection flow freely, signifying the beginning of an enriched emotional journey.
Two of Cups
Two colleagues, once strangers, form a powerful collaborative bond, working together harmoniously toward a shared vision, strengthening mutual respect and support.
Three of Cups
A close-knit group of friends gathers to celebrate an important milestone, their laughter and shared joy creating lasting memories and strengthening their bond.
Four of Cups
Amid an emotionally stagnant period, someone sits in contemplation, struggling to see the potential in what’s right in front of them, unable to fully embrace the opportunities for growth.
Five of Cups
After a painful breakup, someone focuses on the past heartbreak, unable to notice the new love opportunities waiting to be embraced just beyond their sorrow.
Six of Cups
While revisiting their childhood home, someone is flooded with nostalgic memories, reconnecting with simpler times and finding comfort in the familiar, which sparks a renewed sense of joy.
Seven of Cups
Faced with several potential career opportunities, someone feels overwhelmed by the choices, needing to sift through dreams and distractions to find the path that truly aligns with their long-term goals.
Eight of Cups
At a crossroads in their life, someone decides to leave behind an unfulfilling job, seeking out new passions and deeper meaning, knowing that this path leads to greater fulfillment.
Nine of Cups
After years of hard work, someone finally attains their dream of opening their own business, feeling deeply satisfied and grateful for achieving their long-held wish.
Ten of Cups
In a moment of joy, a family gathers around the dinner table, feeling complete and emotionally fulfilled as they share stories, laughter, and mutual love, basking in the warmth of togetherness.
Page of Cups
Inspired by an art class, someone starts a new creative project, exploring their emotions through expression and tapping into their deep well of intuition for the first time.
Knight of Cups
Chasing a lifelong dream, someone dives headfirst into their artistic passion, leaving behind the practicalities of life to fully embrace the pursuit of their heart’s desires.
Queen of Cups
A mother lovingly cares for her children, embodying compassion and wisdom, as she effortlessly blends emotional strength with empathy, offering unconditional support to those around her.
King of Cups
A counselor calmly guides someone through a turbulent time, offering deep emotional wisdom and support, bringing balance and understanding to complex feelings.