Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

Have you ever got the Eight of Cups and got a twinge in your chest? That’s alright; everyone gets there at one point or the other. This card brings passion, it raises all sorts of feelings but their eye is not on moping around. It’s about doing the next right thing no matter how much it may scare the life out of us sometimes. That is why I would like to discuss with you what this card really represents and how its message can help you to embrace a life of better truth, and happiness.

• Upright Keywords: Walking away, New beginnings, Disappointment, Release, Soul-searching
• Reversed Keywords: Staying stuck, Fear of change, Avoiding the truth, Lack of closure, Dependency
• Life Situations: Leaving a relationship or job, Moving to a new place, Ending friendships, Shifting priorities, Personal growth
• Positive Attributes: Courage, Independence, Self-discovery, Following your intuition, Emotional maturity
• Negative Attributes: Regret, Stagnation, Fear of the unknown, Running away from problems, Self-sabotage

Eight of Cups Tarot Card Description

Finally, let’s go through the specifics of the Eight of Cups card. It gives a rather sad and optimistic view at the same time. We are shown a figure who is turning their back and walking away from eight stacked cups. The moon also hovers above the horizon, indicating the possibility of the trip taken at night, or in the evening when things are a little less clear and more clandestine. Yet, in this case, there is a purpose behind those footsteps. The figure is not jogging; they are merely walking in the direction of the mountains in the horizon, which may represent an objective or a desire.

This imagery could not be more appropriate for the Eight of Cups tarot card. It’s about understanding that some people and situations are toxic for you and it is okay to leave even if it feels empty. Those eight cups symbolize your past: perhaps achievements, people or situations that were once satisfying to you and made you happy. But now, you are bored. Now, it is about time to let them go – not with anger, but with appreciation for the experiences they have provided you.

The Eight of Cups says, “It is permissible to release”. It reminds us that endings are a natural part of life, and that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is turn our backs on what’s familiar and step into the unknown.  The world is full of opportunities for you outside those cups. Let your instincts guide you, accept the move, and continue to walk—an awakening towards your own sunrise.

Upright Eight of Cups General Meaning

It is important to know what happens to the Eight of Cups when you want to look at its meaning in the upright position. It is a reminder from the universe that change is inevitable and it is time to move on, dear. You might be feeling a bit restless or unsatisfied in your current situation, and that’s okay. It’s a sign that you’re ready for something more aligned with your true self.

If the Eight of Cups is upright then it is a sign that it is time to take the leap, follow your intuition and leave behind all that is holding you back, be it a man or job, a belief system, etc. It’s about honoring your own growth and having the courage to step into the unknown, even if it feels a bit scary. Beautiful soul, do not forget that the most exciting journeys start when the first step is taken away from the familiar zone.

• Upright Love Meaning:  Leaving a relationship that no longer fulfills you, seeking deeper emotional connection, prioritizing self-love
• Upright Money & Career Meaning: Quitting a job that doesn’t bring you joy, starting a new business venture, seeking a career change that aligns with your passions
• Upright Health Meaning:  Letting go of unhealthy habits, focusing on self-care and emotional well-being, prioritizing mental health
• Upright Spirituality Meaning: Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, seeking deeper spiritual connection, releasing old beliefs that no longer serve you

❤️ Upright Eight of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

As for love Tarot meaning the Eight of Cups interpretation may not always be joyful. It usually indicates that you are experiencing some disconnection in the present relationship. Perhaps you’ve discovered that the relationship does not fulfill your wants or that you are bored with this connection type.

It is not a card that foretells a breakup but it is a card that needed some self-reflection for sure. It is about taking time to consider one’s own happiness and finally taking care of oneself. If you are single, the Eight of Cups usually means that you have to go through the process of inner healing after a breakup. It has to do with letting go of any residual emotional ties and making room for a new love that will ignite passion in you again. As you know, the greatest kind of love you can show to yourself is to let go and move on, sometimes even leave.

💸 Upright Eight of Cups Meaning in Money & Career

In the context of career, the Eight of Cups, when pulled upright, may suggest a hint of feeling bored or disengaged. It might be time to re-evaluate or change your current direction in life. Do you feel bored, unimpressed, or unhappy with the level of challenge at your current job? This card implies that one should quit a job that is no longer benefiting one’s progress in life.

It could also be associated with the possibility of a new phase in one’s professional life. Maybe you are thinking of changing jobs, becoming an entrepreneur, or returning to school for the kind of job you always wanted. The meaning of the Eight of Cups indicates that one should follow their gut feeling and do what they find most passionate. All in all, it is important that you love what you do and hence your career should not be just a job but rather a passion. It’s perfectly acceptable to let go of what is familiar and make a move toward what brings joy to your soul!

💚 Upright Eight of Cups Meaning in Health

Upright, as for health, the Eight of Cups card serves as a wakeup call to pay attention to your health and take better care of yourself. It might be exposing the vices or habits that need to be changed for one’s better health and well-being. Are you depriving yourself, overtraining, or avoiding attention, comfort or other needs?

This card reminds you to take responsibility for how your body is feeling and to take steps towards improvement. You may need to start exercising, eating differently, or you may need to seek out a doctor for any issues you are having mentally or emotionally. This is all about identifying things that are not beneficial for change anymore and working towards improvement. In conclusion, let me remind you once again that looking after oneself is not a sin, on the contrary, it is necessary.

🔮 Upright Eight of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

Upright, the Eight of Cups symbolizes a spiritual journey, change, and personal transformation. It may indicate that you are frustrated with some previously held beliefs or religion and practices which once used to inspire you. You must confidently challenge and release anything that no longer resonates with us.

This card encourages you to go on a personal process and reconnect with your higher self. It is the time to change religion, pray, or just go for a walk in the woods to come back to yourself. The Eight of Cups reassures you that your path is a singular and progressive one in spirit. We hope you all find your own path to success by just trusting your own heart and the teachings of your own experiences. Now is the time to remove the layer off your body and the soul and accept your transformation.

Reversed Eight of Cups General Meaning

Now it’s time to turn things around and find out what will befall the Eight of Cups when it is in the reversed position. This can suggest a certain level of working through issues on the journey of transformation. A new beginning is suggested by the upright card, but indications are less flattering for the Eight of Cups in its reversed state – the card implies stagnation and refusal to leave the past behind. It may be a fear of change, loyalty to history, or a perceived inability to get out of the current position.

You may be procrastinating or trying to cling to something that is not good for you. You might be stuck in a low-paying position, an unhealthy partnership, or an unhelpful mindset that’s harmful for you. The reversed Eight of Cups is a message to tell the truth. What is it that you feel you should not let go? This question can be answered in a similar manner: What prevents you from realizing your full capability?

• Reversed Love Meaning: Staying in an unfulfilling relationship, fear of being alone, difficulty letting go of past loves
• Reversed Money & Career Meaning: Staying in a dead-end job, fear of financial instability, resisting change or new opportunities
• Reversed Health Meaning: Ignoring health issues, unhealthy coping mechanisms, emotional baggage affecting physical well-being
• Reversed Spirituality Meaning:  Spiritual stagnation, clinging to outdated beliefs, fear of change or growth

❤️ Reversed Eight of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

It is important to note that when the Eight of Cups is reversed, it can signify staying in a love relationship that is not healthy anymore or a love relationship that is no longer exciting. Perhaps it is shyness or loneliness, perhaps you want to stay together out of respect for each other, or perhaps you just cannot accept the fact that things have changed.

This type of card tells you that it is alright to tell the truth about how you feel in the relationship. Do you cling to someone for greed instead of love? Beloved pretty soul, you deserve to be loved in a manner that outshines the light within you. Sometimes the most courageous thing is to let go of something that does not best serve you anymore and make place for a new love.

💸 Reversed Eight of Cups Meaning in Money & Career

If the Eight of Cups appears in a position reversed in a career context, it suggests that you might find yourself in an unstimulating, uninspiring or emotionally unsatisfying position. Perhaps, you are scared to change, concerned with the financial aspect of life, or have no idea what to do next.

This card is a reminder to look at those fears, and contemplate what is preventing you from moving forward. Do you have a job where you get tired easily or one that does not have your values imprinted in it? Are you suppressing your desire, that which makes your heart flutter in fear of it not succeeding? One last reminder, to know that within you resides the ability to choose what you want for a career and make it happen. As much as fear is real, do not let it stop you from doing things that you love!

💚 Reversed Eight of Cups Meaning in Health

In the context of health, a reversed Eight of Cups may therefore be a message for you to heed more to your physical or emotional health. It can suggest that you are rejecting some signals coming from your body, or that you still have some unhealthy behaviors or beliefs that are harming you.

This card tells you to stop lying to yourself and face the trouble. Do you lack the capacity to care about yourself, be concerned about overworking, or use destructive behaviors to avoid thinking or feeling? When you do, you need to put yourself first and work towards enjoying both in body and mind. Don’t forget that your body is the temple of your spirit. Cultivate it with love and respect and you will be rewarded with vitality and strength.

🔮 Reversed Eight of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

From a spiritual viewpoint, the reversed Eight of Cups represents a lack of progression or a lack of desire for it. It is possible that you are holding onto former paradigms which are unhelpful now or maybe you are scared of venturing out to discover fresh concepts in spirituality.

This card is meant to be quite mild in nature and is prompting you to ask themselves what it is that’s inhibiting your progress. Is it a fear of change or do you find yourself clinging to the familiar? Always recall that your path is one that transforms, grows, and constantly expands. Overall, it is perfectly fine to release what did not work well in the past and open to other better ways of tuning in to the inner self.

Eight of Cups in a Yes or No Card Reading

Here is a quick Yes or No answer to the Eight of Cups. In fact, it might look a little confusing at the beginning, but it is all about grasping the essence of the card energy.

Upright Position

In upright position the Eight of Cups card tilts towards a “No”. It speaks of walking away, letting go, and moving on. This may imply that the current state might not be benefiting you or meeting your needs and it is time to look for something better. Instead of ‘quitting,’ it involves transferring your efforts to a more appropriate area that suits your passion.

Reversed Position

Now, when the Eight of Cups appears reversed, it can be a bit more ambiguous. It could still lean towards a “No”, but with a caveat. It can signal that you may be still holding onto the object out of a sense of insecurity or there is a task that remains unresolved to engage a new chapter. It’s a plea, one could say, to look at your doubts and concerns and combat whatever struggles might be lurking in the way.