Five of Cups

Five of Cups description

The Five of Cups might have you turning inwards to heal. The figure in the card hides his face in his black cloak, facing the three cups tipped over in front. The cloak could be a sign of mourning. He is alienated or separated by it. There is help and support, a sign of distant company across the river in the background. A bridge must be crossed to get there. The stream is the flow of your emotions, ideas, or intuition. The spilled cups are the need to let go of something that brings loss and regret. The two upright cups are all the things that you still have going for you. Hey, there’s no use crying over spilled (oat)milk.

Upright meaning

The Five of Cups appears when something treasured has slipped away. That could be your happiness, someone you love, or an opportunity lost. Take the time you need to grieve this loss, but try to stay focused on the positive. Something special can come of your pain and suffering. The quickest way out is through. Once you’re able to lift your head and gain a new perspective from the other side, you might see some silver linings. Forgive yourself and others for wrongdoings and you will feel more lighthearted. Even if things are not going your way right now, there are new opportunities opening for you.

Reversed meaning

You have experienced a personal setback or disappointment, but you are realizing the full implications of the past and learning from your mistakes. You might be embarrassed or ashamed about your decisions. The Five of Cups might have you turning inwards to heal.

The figure in the card hides his face in his black cloak, facing the three cups tipped over in front. The cloak could be a sign of mourning. He is alienated or separated by it. There is help and support, a sign of distant company across the river in the background. A bridge must be crossed to get there. The stream is the flow of your emotions, ideas, or intuition. The spilled cups are the need to let go of something that brings loss and regret. The two upright cups are all the things that you still have going for you.

Forgive yourself for past transgressions. As long as you learned from your experiences, then they are never a waste of time. Look at how far you’ve come! The past is in the past, you cannot change that. But you can move forward from here. Don’t dwell. Pick yourself up and make progress. The path continues on the other side. You are discovering how to open yourself up again. Be gentle with yourself as you slowly start to take risks and come out of your shell.

Five of Cups quote

“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” C.G. Jung