Eight of Cups
Affirmation
I am always open to opportunities for growth.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Cups
- Archetype:
- Numerology:8 (The Action: movement, outer work, swiftness)
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
A man of dejected aspect is deserting the cups of his felicity, enterprise, undertaking or previous concern.
Light Meaning
- Wanting something better
- Blazing your own trail
- Realizing there must be more to life
- Leaving an unhealthy situation behind
- Starting your own business
- Going on a retreat
- Seeking the still, small voice
Shadow Meaning
- Being implacable
- Finding fault
- Nitpicking
- Refusing to settle down
- Running away from problems or confrontations
- Saying, It's my way or the highway!
- Harping on past mistakes and disappointments
- Threatening to quit as a strategy to get your way
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •What do I need to leave behind once and for all?
- •If I left in search of more, what would I be looking for, exactly?
- •How might a retreat enhance my perspective?
Personal Meaning
Time to disentangle yourself from your current circumstance and go in search of greater meaning and fulfillment.
Letting go. Going in search of greater meaning and fulfillment.
It might be time to disentangle yourself from your current circumstance and go in search of greater meaning and fulfillment.
Personal Reversed Meaning
You might feel burned out, weary and hopeless, and though change might be adviseable, it won't be a good idea to give up quite yet. Hang in there for a little while longer until your options become clearer.
Hanging in there despite feelings of weariness, hopelessness and being burned out.
Hang in there. Don't give up quite yet. You might be feeling burned out, weary, and hopeless. If this continues, you should consider a change.
Fortune Telling
- •Someone's stepping out on you, now or in the near future
- •Maybe it's time to quit talking about the problem and just move on
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.