Upright keywords
Exit, Escapism, Disappointment
Reversed keywords
Drifting, Leaving Stability, Pilgrimage
As the old saying goes
A change of work is as good as a rest.
Element
Water
Eight of Cups description
Eight Cups are stacked at the forefront of the card, a clear gap in the point when construction was halted. This could be a routine, a project, a relationship, etc. It was something carefully set up that is now abandoned. The figure in the card is walking away from the situation, and he (or she) has crossed over water, and it now on the other side of his emotions. This is the beginning of something new. It’s a dark night, and the moon is casting creepy shadows. It’s drawn like an eclipse, the moon and sun in alignment, as we delve deeper into ourselves. The patch ahead is rocky and unclear; it goes right off the page. He’s moving to higher ground to get a better perspective. The cups might be full, but they no longer satisfy him. The green landscape represents his growth and depth of the shadows is the unknown that lies ahead.
Upright meaning
The Eight of Cups appears when you know it’s time to move on from something. This is a good time to withdraw from the familiar and seek self awareness. You could be walking away from a completed love story, or an unfulfilling profession. You processed a lot of thoughts and emotions to get to this point, disappointment, frustration, hope, bravery, fear. Be true to yourself and do what you know you need to do. Ask yourself what brings you joy and contentment on a deeper level. Don’t be afraid to leave behind that which is no longer serving you. It’s time to have open conversations with others about what’s happening instead of ignoring the scene all together.
Reversed meaning
When reversed, this card might have you asking, should I stay or should I go now? Leaving a stable situation, or leaving the past behind, is not easy. It takes faith, trust, and a little pixie dust! But it’s important to be decisive in your decisions. Indecision can lead to aimlessness, never feeling fully satisfied, but not uncomfortable enough or motivated enough to do anything about it. Ask yourself what will make you happy, and then get moving down that path!
Eight of Cups quote
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Want to check in with your higher self?
Tarot helps you step back and consider the bigger picture. This is just a snapshot in time. All things shall pass! Let’s take a look at past, present, and future themes in your life and consider a new direction.