Five of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

Feeling a sense of loss, or let-down? Maybe, the Five of Cups is reflecting those emotions. In tarot readings, this particular card may be associated with sorrow, remorse or a propensity to see the worst in situations. However, it also teaches us to embrace what is still good even in the midst of adversity. Now let’s look in detail at how the Five of Cups aids you in navigating your way towards being strong again in tough situations.

• Upright Keywords: Loss, disappointment, grief, regret, focusing on the negative
• Reversed Keywords: Acceptance, moving on, forgiveness, seeing the positive, hope
• Life Situations: Breakups, job loss, health issues, any situation causing emotional upset
• Positive Attributes: Resilience, ability to learn from mistakes, compassion, emotional depth
• Negative Attributes: Dwelling on the past, self-pity, pessimism, inability to move forward

Five of Cups Tarot Card Description

Five of Cups involve a figure dressed in a cloak and with his back towards three cups which are overturned, whereas two cups which are still full are at the back of the figure. Overhead, the sky is illustrated to be dark and stormy, enveloping the scene in a shroud of sorrow and despair. Such imagery is symbolic for the emotions of loss, remorse, and sadness that people generally attribute to the card.

An inability to view the positive aspects of their situation could be inferred by the figure’s posture, which is facing away from the upright cups. They are so obsessed with what has been lost or destroyed that they cannot see what is left. The overturned cups signify what is lost or spoilt while the intact cups depict the prospects or boons that are still available.

An aggressive overall setting adds to the emotional perception of this card as well. It is in the middle of the joyful moments that sadness is experienced, and it is okay to be sad when things do not turn out the way you expect. However, one should not be bound to those feelings of anger, dissatisfaction or disappointment.

Hence, the Five of Cups is an encouragement to change focus. In understanding the grieving process, one must accept the reality of what has been lost, but also what still remains. Amidst the direst of situations, the glass is still half full and there exists something to be thankful for. In this way, having positive thinking and being aware of the lessons that life has taught you will provide strength to change your future for the better.

Upright Five of Cups General Meaning

If the Five of Cups is upright, it is often interpreted as meaning that you are feeling sad, or experiencing some form of loss, disappointment or guilt. It can suggest that you may be currently experiencing high stress levels, you may be mulling over a mistake that you made in the past or a chance that you could have taken but let go. This card is advising you that maybe you are fixed on all the negative aspects and are failing to appreciate what is still positive in life.

The Five of Cups is all about letting go of the negative feelings that we often attach ourselves to when we fail or when things are not going so well. There is always a silver lining even when things look black. This card suggests swapping your negative outlook for positivity and recognizing the good things in life. It is possible to listen to the events that took place in your life and pay attention to the fact that there is more to it, and there is hope.

• Upright Love Meaning: A recent breakup, lingering feelings of heartbreak, focusing on past relationship failures.
• Upright Money & Career Meaning: Job loss, financial setbacks, disappointment over missed opportunities, feeling undervalued.
• Upright Health Meaning: Struggling with illness or injury, feeling discouraged about recovery, focusing on physical limitations.
• Upright Spirituality Meaning: Feeling disconnected from your spiritual path, questioning your beliefs, experiencing a sense of loss or emptiness.

❤️ Upright Five of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

The Five of Cups upright is unexpected and sad when it comes to affairs of the heart. It may give off the impression that you are still coming to terms with the break up of a recent relationship or you still feel the raw pain of a previous break up. Something that you might experience is feeling stuck on negative thinking and might be constantly stuck on what he did wrong or said wrong, thereby being unable to move onward.

This card notes that you still need to understand and pick yourself up; it is okay to cry and feel the emotions. This means that when you feel sad, then you should allow yourself to be sad but should not be overwhelmed by it. Remember that there are two full cups behind you – two full cups of love, care, and support. Now it’s the time to look forward and the positive connections you have and avoid the negative energy and be ready to embrace a new start. In conclusion, evaluating previous relationships will help you avoid making the same mistakes in the future and form new and better relations.

💸 Upright Five of Cups Meaning in Money & Career

In terms of financial or work context, the Five of Cups can depict a diminishing feeling of hope or expectations. Sometimes you may have encountered a recent loss, for example, an unfortunate job loss or a failure in an opportunity. This is a natural reaction when faced with such situations and Five of Cups recognizes the discouragement that comes with it.

However, this card suggests you forget about what has gone wrong as it does not help to fix it. Thus, instead of focusing on that which is lost and cannot be regained, one should attempt to change the way they look at things and think about the opportunities left. The two full cups in the background represent the resources and opportunities that are still open to you. This is the right time to rise up, take stock of the experience, and look forward.

Life is unpredictable and no losses or failures should make you believe that you are not good enough, that you cannot be great. Finally, if you concentrate on the positive aspects of life and actively work towards changing the situation, you can transform hardship into a better life.

💚 Upright Five of Cups Meaning in Health

When the Five of Cups shows up in a health tarot spread, it might signify disappointment or demoralization when it comes to health. It could be that you have a chronic condition or are in the process of healing from an ailment or some physical mishap. This is not something you would expect to happen; it is normal to get angry or even cry for the loss of your previous health.

The Five of Cups can only mean that you should not deny the existence of such emotions but also do not let them control you. Concentrate on two full cups that remain on the table symbolizing internal strength and capacity to overcome the adversities. In every situation, and despite all adversities, there is always a cause to be positive and have a positive outlook in life.

This card helps you to be more active about the way you maintain your health. Connect with family and friends and consult your physician, and do not avoid trying out therapies or even practices that may assist your recuperation. Just know that progress – no matter how slow – can have a cumulative effect on your overall health and quality of life.

🔮 Upright Five of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

In the field of spirituality, the upright position of the Five of Cups depicts the feeling of isolation or disappointment. Maybe you are in doubt or facing issues of loss and guilt. You might be struggling through a period of spiritual identity crisis where previous experiences or what you once believed in has let you down or proven to be fake.

But this card tells you that even in the presence of bleakness, find the light within and keep hope alive. The two straight cups represent the innate illumination which remains undiminished throughout existentiation and the possibility of rebirth. Now is the time to leave behind what has been left behind and concentrate on the spiritual assets which one may still access.

Re-establish connections with things that are familiar and comforting, such as practicing meditation or prayer or enjoying nature. It is equally important to consult religious leaders or other recommendable spiritual authorities. With this in mind, there is an opportunity to embrace the lessons that come with this state of pain and suffering and walk onto the next part of your journey.

Reversed Five of Cups General Meaning

If the Five of Cups is drawn in the reversed position it is a good indicator that you are ready to let go of things that once mattered to you but do not anymore. It indicates that you are willing to move forward and leave the things you wished you had done but did not do behind. In the current position, the Five of Cups are depicting self-letting go and are a preparation for the better things to come.

This transition suggests an increasing ability to embrace and let go, in so far as oneself and others are concerned. You are gradually starting to appreciate that it is okay to fail and that failure is a part of life, and they do not limit anyone at all. By practicing gratitude, you are focusing positive energy on that area and allowing the process of healing and change to begin.

The Five of Cups tarot card is normally seen in a reversed position and is a message that tells you not to give up hope no matter how bleak the situation may seem. By deciding to look at the positive in each experience and use that as a guide, one can chart a better and rewarding life.

• Reversed Love Meaning: Healing from heartbreak, forgiveness, readiness for new love, letting go of past relationship baggage.
• Reversed Money & Career Meaning: Recovery from financial setbacks, new job opportunities, renewed optimism and motivation.
• Reversed Health Meaning: Improved well-being, positive outlook on recovery, focus on self-care and healthy habits.
• Reversed Spirituality Meaning: Reconnecting with your spiritual path, finding renewed meaning and purpose, embracing forgiveness and acceptance.

❤️ Reversed Five of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

In the realm of love, the reversed Five of Cups tells that you are exiting the phase of sorrow and betrayal. You want to move on and accept new relationships, leaving all the sorrow of the previous ones behind. It’s a period that is mostly characterized by the process of getting over a particular loss, incurrence of hardship, or other related difficulties and challenges.

Such a reversal can indicate forgiveness, to yourself and to others. It’s like you are accepting you’ve made those mistakes in the past but you are moving forward and wouldn’t want to make the same mistake again. This newfound rationality in terms of feelings enables you to welcome love back into your life.

If you are in a relationship, then it means you are overcoming certain hurdles and building towards a healthy relationship with your partner. It simply encourages you to embrace what is positive in your relationship and work towards the longevity of the union.

💸 Reversed Five of Cups Meaning in Money & Career

The reversed Five of Cups has the effect of seeing the sun after a dark storm if it appears in a money or career position. This indicates that you are past failures and are willing to change and construct a better future for yourself. Maybe you have recently been unemployed or have financial struggles, but this card means that you are back on track.

This reversal pressures you to overcome the history of losses and embrace the future opportunities. At the same time, it serves as a call to remind you that you possess the ability, the capacity, and the will to deal with hurdles that life throws your way so as to realize your dreams. This is the right time to start updating the resume, connecting with people happily, and venturing out for new opportunities with zeal. Do not forget that two upright cups represent the success and prosperity that is still available to you. 

💚 Reversed Five of Cups Meaning in Health

In terms of health, this reversed Five of Cups symbolizes a certain degree of release or the ability to look forward to something positive. This implies that you are coming out of an illness, an injury or an emotional strain and are slowly gaining your feet back. Perhaps you are feeling better about your health and your prospects for improving it, and this optimism feeds the process of cure.

This effectively convinces you to keep on taking positive actions towards reaching your health objectives. For improved lifestyles, continual health checkups or new sources of treatment, keep on going forward with full conviction. Recall that it is those two cups standing that signify your strength and available assistance.

This card brings the message that your body is incredibly strong when it comes to healing itself. The positive attitude before the illness and self-care make it possible to recover strength and feel good once again.

🔮 Reversed Five of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

In a spiritual context, the reversed Five of Cups is like you are raising your head from the darkness and tracing the inner spark, as if you are healing from past failure. In the past, you may have gone through a religious or philosophical crisis and became disillusioned with the search for spiritual meaning.

This change also indicates a readiness to let go of grudges and stop feeling guilty or ashamed for things that may have happened in the past. You are receiving from the universe and accepting what your experiences have brought into your life. It is a period of spiritual awakening and development.

It also invokes the image of two full cups standing tall symbolizing support and direction throughout the journey. Listen to your inner voice, return to the things that energize your spirit, and do not close your mind to any new revelations. And so, moving forward into this new life, you will discover the meaning of life and a divine connection.

Five of Cups in a Yes or No Card Reading

When it comes to the black and white perspective of “Yes” and “No” tarot readings, then the Five of Cups is relatively ambiguous. Even its core message could be interpreted as an obvious one – loss, disappointment, and the feeling of focusing on what is not there. Well, how does that bring us to a single ‘Yes’ or ‘No’?

Upright position

In its upright position, Five of Cups has a tendency to lean toward a No card, which suggests that it may be the time when you will not succeed, when you will encounter troubles on your way. It is an eye-opener on how to expect the worst and settle for what you get in the end. 

This “No” is not the end of the discussion. It might mean you should rethink your strategy or explore other options that are available to you. However, the Five of Cups reminds you not to focus solely on the spilled cups but also to recognize the cups that still stand.

Reversed position

As a reversed card, it means that its meaning is the opposite of the direct meaning of the Five of Cups. That is why, the Five of Cups as a reversed card can be interpreted as a cautious “Yes”. There is a feeling of gladness and mending and that you are beginning to move towards the positive side of things.

However, this “Yes” is accompanied with the message which implies that you should keep on waiting and keep on striving regardless of the situation. Do not be paralyzed by past pessimism, but do not be hasty with decision making either.