Four of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

Demons of low energy and motivation sometimes kick in even if things appear to be ‘alright’ on the outside? That means there is the presence of Four of Cups energy at your back. This will usually appear when you are lonely, bored, empty even if your life situation is otherwise quite good. It is in essence a reminder that you should always consider whether you are truly happy with your life.

As you can notice, it is rather close to the depicted feeling , although the Four of Cups is one of the strongest cards connected with the term Change . It also makes us take a step back so that we can rethink and rethink our direction in life. Are you missing out on opportunities because you are stuck in a rut? Are you ignoring your true desires out of fear or complacency? If you pay attention to these emotions and answer some questions, you can embark on the path that will be more meaningful.

• Upright Keywords: Contemplation, Apathy, Missed Opportunities, Discontent, Withdrawal
• Reversed Keywords: New Perspective, Openness, Acceptance, Re-engagement
• Life Situations: Feeling stuck, Ignoring opportunities, Lack of motivation, Emotional withdrawal
• Positive Attributes: Introspection, Re-evaluation, Potential for change
• Negative Attributes: Stagnation, Dissatisfaction, Missed chances

Four of Cups Tarot Card Description

Picture this: a young man is depicted sitting under a tree with his hands folded across his chest looking deep in thought.  Three cups stand before them, representing past opportunities or achievements. Yet, their gaze is fixed on a fourth cup, offered by a hand emerging from a cloud, symbolizing a new opportunity. But, they appear quite shy, maybe even blind to the possibility of receiving such a generous present. This is the main theme of the Four of Cups tarot card.

It’s that feeling of “ennui,” a sense of discontent despite having what many would consider a good life. It is about being obsessed with what is not available or what has happened that a person is unable to recognize blessings within their grasp. The Four of Cups can be interpreted as a message that the main problem with happiness is the way we look at it. We may forget what we have gone through, yearning for what we have not been through or do not possess yet.

Bear in mind, however, that as a card from the minor arcana, this is the Four of Cups and it may not always be a bad card. It is often more refreshing in a way, a signal for more reflection of our frame of mind and conduct. It challenges us to take the leap, to come out of our shell and look at the world with fresh eyes and an open heart. This helps to remain grateful for what one has while at the same time keeping an open mind and accepting what the world has to offer.

So, the next time the Four of Cups shows up in your reading, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What am I forgetting or overlooking because I’m fixated on what’s absent? What fresh opportunities are there that I can take advantage of if only I would pay attention and embrace them?

Upright Four of Cups General Meaning

In general, four of cups is considered as the signal that stops you for a minute and make a pause and reconsider. It connotes disquiet or unrest, even if everything in your life may appear more or less acceptable. You could be bored, wavering, flat, uninspired or generally out of ideas. It is like you are struggling to look for something or someone you want but you do not see that which is right there in front of you.

This card is also a request to focus on yourself and look at your present emotional condition. Are you disregarding what you really want? Do you fail to realize certain chances because you continue to dwell on what happened before or you leave, lamenting about what will happen in the future? The Four of Cups encourages you to take a step back, reassess your priorities, and open yourself up to new possibilities. It’s time to break free from the monotony and embrace the potential for change and growth.

• Upright Love Meaning: Feeling unappreciated or bored in a relationship, overlooking a potential partner, focusing on past hurts instead of present love.
• Upright Money & Career Meaning: Lack of motivation or job dissatisfaction, overlooking opportunities for advancement, feeling stuck in a dead-end job.
• Upright Health Meaning: Neglecting self-care, feeling lethargic or unmotivated, focusing on minor ailments instead of overall well-being.
• Upright Spirituality Meaning: Feeling disconnected from your spiritual path, resisting change or growth, focusing on external validation instead of inner peace.

❤️ Upright Four of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

In affairs of the heart, the upright Four of Cups indicates some sense of estrangement or dissatisfaction. It may be due to a feeling of unappreciation, being ignored, or simply being uninspired in the current relationship. You might be so focused on what’s missing – the spark, the excitement, the grand gestures – that you’re failing to see the love that’s already there. Or, if you are single, you may stay off a partner due to past unpleasant experiences or expecting what you already know none can provide.

This card is not necessarily a bad omen, however. It is more of a subtle reminder that it is time to take another look at your dating life. Are your needs met? Do you have an open mind, or are you a closed mindset kind of person? It’s time to take an honest look at your relationship (or lack thereof) and decide what you truly want. Keep in mind that some of the best love stories could begin first with an act of self-love.

💸 Upright Four of Cups Meaning in Money & Career 

When the Four of Cups turns up in a reading about your finances or career, it’s a sign that you might be feeling a bit stagnant or uninspired. Maybe you’re stuck in a job that no longer excites you, or you’re overlooking opportunities for growth and advancement. It’s that feeling of “going through the motions,” even if things seem to be okay.

This card is a note to pause for a while and ask oneself some questions. Do you feel satisfied with the current state of everything or are you content with the idea of your future? Is your risk-taking due to being scared or just bored? Instead of concentrating on what is not functional in your life, do you deprive yourself of something better?

The Four of Cups is a call to break out of the current routine and weigh the options. Perhaps, it is high time to get a new CV ready, make new connections, or even consider changing the field of work completely. Just keep in mind that some of the best opportunities in life arise when we are willing to step out of the box and take a chance.

💚 Upright Four of Cups Meaning in Health

The upright Four of Cups can signify health concerns and suggests that you should care more about your health. It could imply that you are not taking care of yourself at all, maybe you are a little tired or lazy, or that you are more concerned with minor illnesses rather than your general health.

This card could serve as a daily reminder to never be too busy to take a moment to take care of oneself. We often overlook those signs that our body is giving us when it is fatigued or under pressure. The Four of Cups is a call to slow down, turn inward, and pay attention to what your spirit is actually craving.

It may be about time that you set an appointment for that physical checkup that you’ve been postponing, or perhaps you just need to get back to your daily routine of getting adequate rest and sleep. The point is that self-care is not a sin or a sign of weakness; rather, it is highly necessary. When you are at your best, you are more capable of dealing with any challenge life brings your way.

🔮 Upright Four of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

When the Four of Cups appears with an emphasis on spirituality, then it means that you feel spiritually lost or stuck in some way. You can be a regular practitioner of your faith and practice but feel half-baked about it. It could also mean that you are regressing and holding onto some past beliefs or practices you strongly dislike.

In the Four of Cups tarot meaning, you are asked to pause and return to your essence. And it is a very timely message that you should not hunt for happiness and meaning from worldly and material things but from within themselves. This card suggests that you should be more introspective and pay attention to your sentiments. If you’re holding onto any negative perceptions or preconceptions, it is about time to let go and tap into the possibilities available within the present.

Reversed Four of Cups General Meaning 

Oh, how wonderful the reversed Four of Cups is! It’s like getting a new lease of life after a period of stagnation. This card speaks of a change of heart, an ability to move away from lethargy and open one’s self up to new possibilities. So, if you’ve been sitting on the sofa, devoid of inspiration, the reversed Four of Cups shows that’s about to change.

You experience gratitude, noticing the positive in your life and the things you might never have noticed before. It means you are getting out of your comfort zone and ready to learn, meet other people, and discover something new. It is a period of rejuvenation and a feeling of ‘coming to life’ or of being ‘awake’.

This reversal can also point to the notion of readiness to put a negative experience behind one or give up on something one regrets. The main thing here is that you are no longer daydreaming about what you wish could have been; instead you are actually living in the real world. This is an ideal time for you to step forward with enthusiasm and an eagerness to continue living life to the fullest.

• Reversed Love Meaning: Rekindling the spark in a relationship, opening your heart to new love, letting go of past hurts, appreciating your partner.
• Reversed Money & Career Meaning: Increased motivation and ambition, seizing new opportunities, taking initiative, feeling more optimistic about your financial future.
• Reversed Health Meaning: Prioritizing self-care, adopting a healthier lifestyle, feeling more energized and motivated, taking a proactive approach to your well-being.
• Reversed Spirituality Meaning: Reconnecting with your spiritual path, embracing change and growth, finding inspiration and guidance from within.

❤️ Reversed Four of Cups Meaning in Love & Relationships

As for the reversed card, it is the Four of Cups, and in the area of love, it is quite positive. If you have been a bit unhappy feeling left out or unnoticed in your relationship, then this reversal brings with it a dream of rejuvenated passion. You may be going through the phase of falling in love with your partner all over again, witnessing his or her care and appreciation of your relationship. Or, if you are single, then it might be the time in your life when you are opening the new chapter in your love story, leaving the pain behind, starting over.

It is a period of rejuvenation emotionally; your partner is more likely to open up and share their sentiments and requirements. You are also more accepting of the positive things, like love and affection from other people. The reversed Four of Cups is like a wake up call: Okay, enough daydreaming, time to jump into your love life. For those currently in a relationship, this card may mean reigniting the passion and deepening the connection with your partner again, or for those seeking a partner, it means moving in a more fulfilling and loving direction in terms of relationships.

💸 Reversed Four of Cups Meaning in Money & Career

The Four of Cups, reversed, suggests a fresh surge of motivation and desire for achievement, especially concerning your career and finances. If you have been struggling to find motivation or creative inspiration in your current workplace, then this may imply a shift is imminent. You are beginning to note innovations and you are prepared to embrace them with open arms.

Or maybe now you want more, to attempt that job promotion, to get the side cash to start that business or take that job you never thought you are capable of. It is a time that calls for proactivity and going against the norm. It’s no longer enough to just report to work and follow through schedules – you seek to build a satisfying career.

The reversed Four of Cups also indicates that you should change how you look at your money situation in a more positive way. Indeed, the best time is now to discard any fundamentals of scarcity and negative beliefs. Do not dwell on scarcity and what you lack but rather look at the opportunities that are available. So, with a little attention and a little favorable thinking, you can attract the money you need.

💚 Reversed Four of Cups Meaning in Health

When the Four of Cups is rendered in its reversed position in the context of a health related tarot card, it feels as if you receive a shot of energy. It means moving from a position of inactivity or lack of concern for one’s health to a more active stance. It could be that you have of late been experiencing low energy or lack of motivation, but this may just be an indication that you have to turn things around and start living healthier.

You might get more pumped and zealous about caring for your body. Perhaps you will start going to the gym and take that yoga class you have been thinking about taking, cook better meals or get more sleep than usual. This card conveys the message to pay attention to the signals the body gives and feed it with what it needs.

It is a time of positivity, when you are actively determining your lifestyle, and making decisions that benefit you. Therefore, it is time for you to start embracing the new energy and take better care of yourself.

🔮 Reversed Four of Cups Meaning in Spirituality

Spirituality has been defined as a search for meaning and relating the reversed Four of Cups to spirituality draws an understanding that new opportunities for meaning making are on the horizon. If you’ve been experiencing some form of confusion or estrangement from your spiritual nature, then such a reversal is a sign of a wonderful rebirth. You’re exposing yourself to new opportunities, ready and willing to transform, and in search of something greater.

It’s a time of faith coming back to life, of being tempted to practice meditation, prayer or any other activity which can help the soul. You might also feel more gratitude and appreciation for what you have in life and what life has to offer. The reversed Four of Cups points to the need to follow your instincts and go with the flow. It is a gentle nudge to remind ourselves that each person’s path to spirituality is different, and that we can design lives that are in tune with our true essence.

Four of Cups in a Yes or No Card Reading

Now let’s see how the Four of Cups can be interpreted for a straightforward “yes/no” answer. Although it’s important to consider the bigger picture in Tarot and one card can’t answer a multiple-part question, the Four of Cups gives some advice.

Upright Position

Standing on its own, the Four of Cups has a tendency to lean towards the “No”. This is one of those cards that suggests a lack of desire, an absence of possibilities, and general disinterest. There may be more pressing concerns that may hinder you from giving your best answer to the question at hand or you may lack enthusiasm to focus on the particular question at hand. It’s like a message where one is rejecting a cup and not willing to accept what comes in it. According to this card, it might be wiser to rethink your goals, reconsider your emotions, and maybe just wait for a time of receptiveness.

Reversed Position

As reversed, the Four of Cups implies a “Maybe”, or even a slightly more affirmative “Yes.” It suggests a change in the outlook and readiness to let go of what has been and look forward to moving on. But it is similar to being in that position of starting to become aware of that fourth cup being presented and wondering about it. Even if there is some ambiguity or caution, the card implies that the situation is gradually becoming brighter for you; you are ready to move forward from areas of personal comfort and move further.