Tarot Cards Explained:Five of Cups
What it can mean for your career, health, and lovelife
The Five of Cups is a card in the tarot that symbolizes disappointment, loss, and grief. It is associated with the element of water, which symbolizes emotion, and thus tells a story of emotional upheaval and sadness. Although it may seem grim, this card also carries a message of potential for healing and moving forward.
Symbolism
The visual depiction of the Five of Cups usually shows a cloaked figure with its back turned, looking upon three spilled cups in front and two standing cups behind. This symbolizes a focus on lost opportunities and disappointment, while potentially missing out on what remains. The gloomy and grey background indicates a difficult emotional period.
General Meaning
In a general context, the Five of Cups signifies experiencing a loss or disappointment. It suggests feelings of sadness, grief, and regret. Often times, this card suggests that these feelings are consuming and that there's a tendency to overlook the positive aspects or opportunities that are remaining or are about to unfold.
Love and Relationships
In love and relationships, the Five of Cups means experiencing emotional pain or upset within a relationship. This could be a sign of a breakup, fight or betrayal. This card suggests a need for healing and recovery, and to not lose sight of the potentially positive aspects remaining or on the horizon.
Career and Finances
When it comes to career and finances, the Five of Cups might suggest a disappointment, such as losing a job or experiencing a financial setback. It also serves as a reminder that while one door may have closed, there are still other opportunities available, even though they may not currently be in view.
Health
In terms of health, the Five of Cups may point towards feelings of depression and despair, or grief due to an illness or health setback. It's a call for care, resiliency and support, emphasizing the need for emotional healing as well as physical recovery.
Spiritual Contexts
Considering spiritual contexts, the Five of Cups could mean that one is struggling with feelings of spiritual unfulfillment or disillusionment. It can also mean a period of soul-searching, contemplation, or quest for deeper, more satisfying spiritual truths.
Past, Present, and Future
When drawn in relation to past, present, and future, the Five of Cups may represent past regrets and failures, current grieving, or impending disappointments. However, it always implies there are unnoticed possibilities either already present or coming into being soon.
What it means if Reversed?
Reversed, the Five of Cups suggests a shift in perspective, indicating a phase of accepting losses and starting to look ahead towards recovery and new prospects. It can signal healing, acceptance, and moving on from sorrow.
What it means in Yes or No Reading?
In a Yes or No reading, the Five of Cups generally suggests a 'No'. This is typically due to the negative and sorrowful nature associated with this card.
Although the Five of Cups is associated with loss, heartbreak and sorrow, it also carries a message of hope. The essence of this card is to not dwell on what's lost but to focus more on what remains and what is yet to come.
