Five of Cups

The Five of Cups is often associated with themes of loss, grief, and disappointment.

Upright Meaning

• Loss and Grief: The Five of Cups often signifies experiencing a loss, disappointment, or emotional setback. It could relate to relationships, projects, or dreams that have not turned out as expected.

• Focus on Negativity: The card suggests that the individual is focusing on what has gone wrong, represented by the overturned cups, rather than recognizing the remaining positive aspects (the two standing cups).

• Regret and Sorrow: There might be feelings of regret, guilt, or mourning over past actions or events.

Reversed Meaning

• Moving On: When reversed, the Five of Cups often indicates the beginning of emotional recovery and the process of moving on from past hurts.

• Acceptance and Forgiveness: It can signify a person starting to accept the past, forgive themselves or others, and open up to new possibilities.

• New Hope: The reversed position can also point to a new sense of hope, seeing the positives in a situation, and a readiness to look forward.

Symbolism

• Central Figure: A person in a black cloak is typically depicted, facing away, with a posture of mourning or sorrow.

• Cups: There are five cups, three of which are overturned and spilling their contents, while two cups remain standing.

• Background: In the background, there is often a flowing river, a bridge, and a castle or a small building on the far side, symbolizing hope and recovery.