Five of Cups

Card Description

The Five of Cups shows a cloaked figure standing with head bowed in mourning. Before them, three cups lie overturned, their contents spilled on the ground. However, behind the figure stand two cups that remain upright and full - cups they cannot see because they are too absorbed in their grief.

In the background, a river flows beneath a bridge leading to a small house or castle, symbolizing the path forward that still exists. The imagery powerfully captures the human tendency to focus on loss while overlooking what remains and the way home that is still open to us.

Upright Meaning

When the Five of Cups appears upright, you are experiencing loss, grief, or deep disappointment. This is a natural part of life, and the card validates your feelings while gently reminding you that not all is lost. Allow yourself to grieve, but don't forget to look around you.

• Mourning a loss or major disappointment
• Focusing on what went wrong instead of what remains
• Regret over past decisions or missed opportunities
• Emotional pain that feels overwhelming
• Need to process grief before moving on
• Pessimism clouding your perspective

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the Five of Cups indicates you are beginning to move through your grief. You're starting to turn around and see the two cups that remain - the blessings still in your life. Recovery is underway, and hope is returning.

• Moving on from disappointment or loss
• Acceptance and emotional healing
• Recognizing what you still have
• Forgiving yourself or others
• Learning valuable lessons from painful experiences
• Ready to rebuild and move forward

Five of Cups in Love

Upright: This card often appears after a breakup, betrayal, or significant relationship disappointment. You may be dwelling on what went wrong or mourning the relationship you thought you had. While it's important to grieve, remember that love is not lost forever - there may be someone who cares for you that you cannot see right now.

Reversed: You're beginning to heal from heartbreak and are ready to open yourself to love again. You've learned from past relationship pain and can now see the potential for new connections. Forgiveness - of yourself and others - is helping you move forward.

Five of Cups in Career

Upright: A job loss, failed project, or career disappointment may be weighing heavily on you. You might be dwelling on a missed promotion, business failure, or professional mistake. While these feelings are valid, try not to let them blind you to opportunities that still exist.

Reversed: You're recovering from a career setback and can now see new possibilities. Perhaps a lost job is leading to a better opportunity, or a failed project taught you valuable lessons. You're ready to move forward with renewed determination.

Symbolism

• Black Cloak: Mourning, grief, and withdrawal from the world
• Three Spilled Cups: What has been lost, disappointment, failed hopes
• Two Standing Cups: What remains, overlooked blessings, hope
• Bowed Head: Sorrow, defeat, inability to see beyond pain
• The River: Emotions flowing, the passage of time, cleansing
• The Bridge: The path forward, connection to the future, way home
• The Castle: Safety, security, home that still awaits