At first glance, the Five of Cups looks pretty depressing, right? You see someone cloaked, head down, staring at three spilled cups. It looks like they’re totally focused on what they’ve lost.
And yeah, loss is definitely part of the Five of Cups. It represents grief, regret, and disappointment. Maybe you didn’t get the grade you wanted, a friendship fizzled out, or something just didn’t go as planned. It’s okay to feel those feels!
Here’s the key. Notice those two cups standing upright? They represent what you still have. Hope, opportunities, relationships – they’re still there!
The Five of Cups is a message to look for the good, even when things feel tough. There’s always a silver lining, even if it’s hiding in the background. So, chin up! You got this.
The Five of Cups Appearance
You’ll usually see a figure, often cloaked, staring at three spilled cups. Notice the colours. Lots of reds and blacks can signal strong emotions, maybe sadness, regret, or even grief.
The spilled cups represent what’s been lost or what we perceive as lost. But hold on! See those two upright cups behind the figure? They represent what’s still available, the opportunities that haven’t vanished. Sometimes we are so focused on what we lost that we forget what is still there.
The Five of Cups is a reminder that it’s okay to acknowledge your feelings, to feel sad or disappointed. But it’s also a push to shift your perspective. Don’t let what’s gone blind you to what remains! Look for the silver linings, learn from your mistakes, and keep moving forward. There are still 2 cups full waiting for you!
Meanings
General Readings
* Upright *
What’s the vibe? Usually, it points to loss, regret, or disappointment. See that figure draped in a cloak? They’re focused on the three spilled cups in front of them, totally bummed out.
Like failing a test you really studied for, not making the team, or maybe having a falling out with a friend. It stings, right? The Five of Cups is all about that feeling.
But here’s the kicker! Take a closer look at the card again.
The Five of Cups isn’t just about what you’ve lost, it’s about what you still have.
Maybe you didn’t ace the whole test, but you still got a passing grade. Or you didn’t make that team, but other opportunities will come up. Maybe the friendship can be repaired.
In a general reading, the Five of Cups is a reminder not to dwell on what’s gone wrong. It’s easy to get stuck focusing on the negative, but this card is a gentle nudge to shift your focus.
Acknowledge your feelings – it’s okay to be sad or disappointed! But don’t let those feelings blind you to the good things that are still present in your life, or the chances to rebuild.
The Five of Cups can also suggest that you might need to reach out for support. Talking to a friend, family member, or trusted adult can help you process your feelings and see things more clearly. Sometimes, we just need a little help seeing those remaining cups.
* Reversed *
Now, let’s talk about the reversed Five of Cups.
A reversed card, in general, can mean a few things: The energy of the card is blocked, you are delaying something, or something is happening internally.
When the Five of Cups is reversed, it often signals that you’re starting to move past this period of sadness. You are allowing yourself to feel and acknowledge your feelings. Maybe you’re finally ready to forgive yourself, reconcile with someone, or just accept the situation and move forward. It can also mean you’ve been avoiding dealing with these feelings.
When you see the Five of Cups reversed, ask yourself, Am I truly dealing with my emotions, or am I burying them?
Love and Relationship Readings
* Upright *
When this card shows up upright in a love reading, it usually means you’re feeling a sense of loss, regret, or disappointment in your relationship, or maybe even the idea of a relationship. This could be anything from a recent breakup, a fight with your partner, or even just feeling like things aren’t going the way you hoped they would.
The Five of Cups is all about dwelling on the negative. You might be focusing on what’s gone wrong, or what you think is missing, rather than seeing what you still have. Maybe you are in a good relationship but you are focusing on small quirks that bother you.
This card is a wake up call to shift your focus. Those two upright cups represent the potential for healing and new beginnings! Maybe there’s still something good in your current relationship that’s worth fighting for. Or, if you’re single, maybe you need to let go of past hurts before you can move forward and find someone new.
So, what can you do about it? Acknowledge your feelings, it’s okay to be sad or disappointed! But ask yourself, what can I learn from this situation? And how can I focus on the positive aspects of my love life, or my potential for love in the future?
The Five of Cups isn’t a happy card, but it’s a powerful one. It reminds you that even in tough times, hope and happiness aren’t completely gone. It’s a chance to reevaluate, heal, and move forward with a more positive outlook.
* Reversed *
The reversed Five of Cups often signals:
- Letting Go of the Past: This is huge! You or your partner are finally ready to move on from past hurts and baggage. Maybe you’re both acknowledging mistakes and deciding to focus on a brighter future together.
- Reconciliation: Reversed Five of Cups can indicate that a broken relationship can be healed. Both parties are willing to try again and put the effort to make it work.
- Acceptance: Sometimes, it can also mean accepting that a relationship has run its course, instead of fighting to save it when you know deep down it’s not right for you.
- New Perspective: You’re seeing the situation in a new light. Maybe you’ve realised you were being too hard on your partner, or vice versa.
Basically, a reversed Five of Cups is telling you, Hey, don’t give up yet! There’s still a chance to heal, to grow, or to move forward in a healthy way.
So, if you see this card reversed in a love reading, take a deep breath. It’s an invitation to look at the situation with fresh eyes and see what possibilities are still available. Maybe it’s time to forgive, to communicate, or to simply choose happiness, even if that means moving on. Remember, the future of your love life is in your hands!
Career Readings
* Upright *
Maybe you bombed that presentation, didn’t get the internship you wanted, or that part-time job just wasn’t what you expected. The Five of Cups is all about dwelling on disappointment. You’re seeing the spilled cups, the failures, the setbacks and missing the cups that are still standing. Those cups signify what you still have, what you can still use.
So, what does this really mean for your future career? Well, first, it’s a call to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to be bummed! Don’t try to pretend you’re not disappointed. Feel it, name it but, don’t get stuck there.
The important part is learning from whatever went wrong. Did you not prepare enough? Were your expectations unrealistic? Did you not ask questions when needed?
Okay, so here’s what you need to do and how to apply it to your life.
1. Acknowledge your feelings but don’t dwell on them.
2. Assess the situation, what went wrong?
3. What can I learn from this?
The Five of Cups is a reminder that even when things feel bleak, there’s always something to salvage. Maybe this means you need to change your approach, seek out new opportunities, or talk to someone for advice. Look at what’s left and ask yourself, Okay, what can I DO with this?
* Reversed *
Reversed, it’s like you’re finally starting to look up and see the possibilities!
So, what does this mean for your career? Well, if you’ve been feeling down about a job rejection, failing a class you needed for your dream job, or struggling with an internship, the reversed Five of Cups is a good sign.
It suggests you’re starting to process that disappointment. Maybe you’re realizing that one setback doesn’t define your whole future. You’re beginning to accept what happened and are opening yourself up to new opportunities.
This card encourages you to look at those two upright cups on the card. What resources do you still have? What skills can you build on? Who can you reach out to for help? Don’t get stuck in the negative.
The reversed Five of Cups can also mean you’re letting go of unrealistic expectations. Maybe you thought you had to be a doctor, but now you’re exploring other options in healthcare that might be a better fit. It’s about being open to new paths and recognizing that failure is a part of growth.
Financial Readings
* Upright *
How does this translate to money matters? Well, in a financial reading, an upright Five of Cups often means you’re dwelling on a financial setback. Maybe you lost money on an investment, didn’t get that job you wanted, or overspent on something you now regret.
The key thing is the upright position. It means you’re starting to move past it, but you’re still caught up in the negative emotions. You’re seeing what you’ve lost, but maybe not what you still have. Those two cups that are upright in the background? They represent resources, opportunities, or skills that you still possess.
In a financial reading, ask yourself: Am I focusing too much on a past mistake? Am I overlooking other possibilities?
This card is a gentle nudge to acknowledge your feelings, but then refocus on what you can control. Maybe it’s time to create a budget, find a side hustle, or learn a new skill to boost your income. The Five of Cups encourages you use the experience to make better decisions.
* Reversed *
When the Five of Cups is reversed in a financial reading, it’s often a sign that you’re starting to move past a financial disappointment. Maybe you made a bad investment, lost a job, or got hit with an unexpected bill. The reversed card says you’re finally ready to acknowledge the loss, but you’re also starting to see the potential for things to get better.
It could mean you’re letting go of unhealthy attachments to money or possessions. Maybe you’re realizing that your self worth isn’t tied to your bank account balance (super important, by the way!). It’s about shifting your perspective.
What should you do when you see the reversed Five of Cups regarding finances?
- Acknowledge the feels: It’s okay to be upset about a financial setback. Don’t bottle it up!
- Learn from it: What went wrong? What could you do differently next time? This is a golden opportunity for growth.
- Focus on what you do have: Maybe you have a supportive family, valuable skills, or just the drive to make things better. These are assets too!
- Small steps forward: Making a budget, researching new income streams, or even just talking to someone about your finances can make a massive difference.
The reversed Five of Cups isn’t a guarantee that all your financial problems will magically disappear. But it’s a really good sign that you’re on the right track to healing your relationship with money and building a more secure future. It is a sign of acceptance of the situation, seeing the good in that and moving ahead.
Spiritual and Personal Growth Readings
* Upright *
This card is asking you to acknowledge your pain, feel it, and then let it go. Don’t let regret paralyze you. Don’t let disappointment define you. It’s okay to grieve a loss, but don’t let it consume you.
From a personal growth standpoint, the Five of Cups is an invitation to learn from your experiences. What can you take away from this situation? How can you grow stronger and wiser? What can you do differently in the future?
Remember, it’s not a life sentence of sadness. It’s a gentle nudge to shift your perspective, to recognize the good that still exists, and to move forward with hope and resilience. Focus on what you still have, learn from the past, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Don’t dwell, grow!
* Reversed *
When it’s reversed, it’s time to pick yourself up!
Spiritually, this card reversed is a powerful sign of healing and acceptance. You’re starting to process your emotions and see the light at the end of the tunnel. You might still feel the sadness, but it’s not consuming you. You are recognizing the resources and people that you have in your life that can help you overcome this grief and sadness.
With personal growth, the reversed Five of Cups is all about moving forward. Maybe you’ve been holding onto a grudge, a past mistake, or a failed relationship. This card is urging you to release that negativity and embrace new beginnings.
Maybe you had a falling out with a friend. Upright, you’re dwelling on the fight. Reversed, you’re considering reaching out, apologizing, or at least accepting that the friendship might need some repair.
In short, the reversed Five of Cups is about:
- Releasing Grief: Letting go of the past and moving on.
- Seeing the Positive: Recognizing what you do have, not just what you’ve lost.
- Forgiveness: Yourself and others.
- New Beginnings: Opening yourself up to new opportunities and experiences.
Don’t be afraid of the reversed Five of Cups! It’s a card of hope and healing. Embrace the opportunity to grow and learn from your experiences.
Connecting With The Five of Cups
One way to connect with the Five of Cups is to acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to be sad or disappointed. Let yourself feel it, but don’t get stuck in it. Notice those two cups still standing? That’s a reminder that not everything is lost. Focus on what you still have.
Another way is to ask yourself: What can I learn from this experience? What can I do differently next time? The Five of Cups can be a powerful teacher if you let it. Use that experience for a transformation. A great way to identify these feelings is by Journaling. So go ahead and grab a journal write out how you feel and how you may be able to change the narrative.