Card Meaning

The Four of Cups represents contemplation, dissatisfaction, and missed opportunities. It suggests emotional stagnation or a tendency to overlook the blessings in your life. This card encourages gratitude and a fresh perspective but cautions against apathy, self-pity, or ignoring new possibilities.

Card Themes

  • Contemplation and Apathy
    Reflects dissatisfaction or emotional stagnation.
  • Missed Opportunities
    Represents overlooking blessings or offers.
  • Reevaluation
    Encourages reassessing your priorities.
  • Inner Focus
    Highlights the need for introspection and renewal.
  • Discontent
    Warns against taking opportunities for granted.

Card Symbolism

  • The Figure
    A seated figure contemplates three cups before him while a fourth cup is offered by a hand from a cloud, symbolizing introspection and missed opportunities.
  • The Background
    The calm landscape suggests a pause for reflection.
  • The Cups
    The three cups on the ground represent past experiences, while the fourth cup symbolizes new possibilities.
Four Of Cups

UPRIGHT

Four Of Cups

REVERSED

Upright Meaning

When drawn upright, The Four of Cups represents contemplation, dissatisfaction, and introspection. It signifies a period of emotional stagnation or disconnection, where opportunities may be overlooked due to a lack of awareness or focus. This card encourages you to reevaluate your current situation and consider what truly fulfills you. It reminds you that blessings and possibilities may already be present, but they require your attention and gratitude. The Four of Cups invites you to shift your perspective and open yourself to new experiences. However, it warns against apathy, self-pity, or turning away from meaningful opportunities.

Upright Keywords:
Contemplation, Apathy, Reevaluation, Meditation, Discontent, Boredom, Reflection, Stability, Self-protection, Withdrawal

Reversed Meaning

When drawn reversed, the Four of Cups represents renewed awareness, motivation, and a readiness to embrace new opportunities. It reflects a shift away from stagnation or apathy, signaling a desire to re-engage with life and explore fresh possibilities. However, it may also indicate overextending yourself or rushing into decisions without fully considering their emotional impact. This card warns against ignoring the importance of mindfulness and reflection as you move forward. The Four of Cups reversed invites you to remain open to opportunities while maintaining a sense of balance and gratitude. It cautions against acting out of desperation or neglecting to address lingering emotional issues.

Reversed Keywords:
Action, New opportunities, Awakening, Choices, Depression, Acceptance, Moving forward, Motivation, Clarity, Breakthrough

Tarot Reading

Love & Relationships

Upright Meaning:
The Four of Cups upright in a love reading signifies introspection and emotional withdrawal. If you’re single, it suggests feeling disconnected or uninterested in potential opportunities for love. For those in a relationship, it indicates dissatisfaction or a need to address unspoken emotions. The card encourages reflection on what you truly want and opening yourself to new possibilities in love.

Reversed Meaning:
The Four of Cups reversed in a love reading symbolizes renewed interest, emotional awakening, or seizing opportunities. If you’re single, it suggests opening your heart to new possibilities after a period of emotional withdrawal. For those in a relationship, it indicates a willingness to address dissatisfaction and rekindle the connection. The card encourages embracing change and taking action in love.

Money & Career

Upright Meaning:
In a career context, the Four of Cups upright represents dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, or missed opportunities. It suggests feeling bored or unfulfilled in your current role, possibly overlooking new possibilities. This card encourages you to shift your perspective, reevaluate your goals, and remain open to fresh opportunities.

Reversed Meaning:
In a career context, the Four of Cups reversed signifies renewed interest, seizing opportunities, or emotional re-engagement. It suggests that after a period of dissatisfaction, you may begin to recognize new possibilities in your career. Financially, it indicates a shift in perspective that allows for better financial planning. The card encourages staying open and proactive in pursuing your goals.

Health

Upright Meaning:
For health, the Four of Cups signifies introspection, emotional stagnation, or a lack of motivation. It suggests that you may be feeling disconnected or uninspired in your well-being journey. This card encourages reconnecting with your emotional needs, exploring new approaches, and finding ways to reengage with self-care.

Reversed Meaning:
The reversed Four of Cups in health readings signifies renewed interest, emotional reawakening, or the need to re-engage with your well-being. It suggests moving out of stagnation and taking active steps toward improving your health. The card encourages you to stay open to new opportunities and ideas that can enhance your vitality.

Spirituality

Upright Meaning:
In spirituality, the Four of Cups upright represents introspection, reevaluation, and emotional detachment. It suggests that you may feel spiritually stagnant or disconnected, prompting you to look inward for answers. The card encourages you to open your heart to new possibilities and recognize the divine gifts around you.

Reversed Meaning:
In spirituality, the Four of Cups reversed represents renewed interest, re-engagement, or emotional awakening. It suggests that you may be moving out of a period of stagnation and opening yourself to spiritual opportunities. The card encourages staying open to inspiration and reconnecting with your spiritual journey.

Tarot Cards

Arcana Type

Four Of Cups is part of the Minor Arcana.
The Minor Arcana consists of 56 cards that represent everyday events, challenges, and influences. Divided into four suits—Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles—these cards focus on the practical, emotional, mental, and material aspects of life. While the Major Arcana reflects overarching themes, the Minor Arcana delves into the details of daily experiences, offering insight into decisions, relationships, and actions within specific situations.

Suit Type

Four Of Cups is part of the Suit of Cups.
The Suit of Cups symbolizes emotions, relationships, and intuition. It governs matters of the heart, such as love, friendships, and emotional well-being. Cups also represent creativity, inner reflection, and the flow of feelings in both personal and spiritual contexts.

Suit of Cups Keywords:
Emotions, Feelings, Relationships, Intuition, Dreams, Inner-world, Love, Healing, Spirituality

Numerology

Four Of Cups has the numberology number 4.
The numberology meaning of 4 is defined as having foundation, stability, structure. The builder's number. Represents hard work, practicality, and establishing solid ground.

Zodiac Signs

Cancer:
Deeply intuitive and nurturing, Cancer prioritizes emotional connection and creating a safe haven for loved ones. Their determination is fueled by their protective and empathetic nature.

Scorpio:
Charming and fair-minded, Libra seeks harmony in relationships and environments. They are natural diplomats, valuing balance and a sense of beauty in all things.

Pisces:
Compassionate and intuitive, Pisces has a deep connection to emotions and the unseen. Their creativity and empathy enable them to dream big and offer support to others.

Tarot Mystic

Element

Four Of Cups is associated with the Water element.
Grounded and stable, Earth embodies practicality, security, and the material world. It is connected to growth, perseverance, and the foundations of life.

Chakras

Heart Chakra:
Loving and compassionate, the Heart Chakra bridges the physical and spiritual, focusing on relationships, forgiveness, and unconditional love.

Sacral Chakra:
Creative and sensual, the Sacral Chakra governs emotions, pleasure, and creativity. It encourages flow, passion, and the joy of experience.

Duality

Four Of Cups has the duality of Receptive.
Open and intuitive, receptive energy embodies adaptability, understanding, and the willingness to embrace new ideas and possibilities.

Season

Four Of Cups is associated with the season of Autumn.
Reflective and transformative, Autumn signifies harvest, change, and letting go. Its a season of gratitude, preparation, and turning inward.