Five of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

Five of Cups Keywords

Regret, loss, disappointment, sadness, sorrow, grief, acceptance, recovery, loneliness

Five of Cups Numerology

5

Five of Cups Astrology Zodiac

Water: Scorpio

Five of Cups Tarot Suit

Minor Arcana, Suit of Cups

Journal Prompts for Five of Cups Tarot Card

– What is preventing me from letting go of the past?

– What can I do to focus on healing and/or recovering (from any recent losses, disappointments, etc)?

Five of Cups Card Meaning

A dark haired figure wearing a long, black cloak has their back turned (to the viewer). The individual appears to be in a state of mourning as they are focusing on the three chalices that have been tipped over in front of them. There is spilled wine on the ground around the chalices, indicating that some form of loss has taken place. Behind them are two chalices left standing. The person seems to be fixated on the loss rather than acknowledging the remaining chalices. There is a flowing river separating the figure from a castle/stone building off in the distance, on the other side of the river. A stone bridge joins the two bodies of land.

*Based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck

Five of Cups Upright

The Five of Cups upright often appears during moments that typically deal with emotional burdens or losses. Generally speaking, feelings of regret and/or disappointment are often associated with this card. Your circumstances may not have gone as you had hoped and you may be struggling to focus on the good that remains. Even if you are doing your best to “move on”, you may find yourself constantly reflecting on the past and what once was. 

You may be struggling to accept that you cannot go back and undo whatever it is that has happened to cause such feelings of lamentation. You could also be focusing too much on what you have lost rather than what you still have–even what you have to look forward to. 

The emotional, “watery” element to this card very much indicates a potentially heavy and/or difficult experience where heart-based matters are concerned. Therefore, if you are inquiring about a romantic connection, it is likely that the person you’re involved with (or hoping to be involved with) has let you down in some way.

If you are currently in a relationship, you and/or your partner could be experiencing some difficulties. You may be at odds with each other, especially in regards to being on the same page where emotional fulfillment is concerned. Feelings of abandonment could also be arising for you and/or your partner. 

It is also possible that there has already been a break-up. If so, you, your partner and/or both of you may be struggling to let go and move on. Additionally, you and/or an ex partner could be fixating on the ending of the relationship rather than focusing on healing from the break-up and accepting that it is (and has been) over. 

The upright Five of Cups is very significant in terms of struggling to see the glass half full vs half empty.

If you are inquiring about your career, this energy appearing in a tarot reading would indicate that you may be disappointed in how things are going. Perhaps you anticipated a better outcome than what has transpired after accepting a job, client, project, etc and/or making a work-related shift. It is possible that you may have lost your job or experienced a form of setback, such as a demotion. If you work with a team, you may be feeling left out in some way.

Where money or finances are concerned, you may have invested in or purchased something that you were very excited about; only to realize that perhaps the cost(s) of the item(s) outweigh the benefits. You could experience a form of financial loss or setback if this energy has appeared.

The main idea where the Five of Cups is concerned, is to recognize if and/or when you are struggling to “let go and let flow”. Even though it may seem like all is lost, the recommendation here is to work toward acceptance, healing and recovery. It can be very painful and difficult to have to accept certain endings, rejections, etc, especially when you have invested in something/someone emotionally. Rather than beat yourself up over regrets, do your best to accept the situation for what it is, so that you can take the necessary steps to shift out of any losses, negativity etc. The point is to remember that life still goes on and it does get better, but you have to allow for it to. 

Five of Cups Reversed

The reversed Five of Cups sees any energies of loss and/or disappointment shifting into a space of healing and/or recovery. If there has been a struggle to release the past, seeing this energy could be an indication that you are finally ready and willing to move on.

You may have been going through a long period of mourning and/or grieving. If this deals with the loss of a loved one, you may be finally ready to accept what has happened so that you can focus on healing any residual pain from their passing. Additionally, if you have been working toward recovering from such a loss, you could be experiencing some form of relief from your burdens.

Where that has been a significant break-up, you may be in a position to let go of what was so that you can begin to focus on what is and what may yet be possible. Perhaps you had been trying to forget about your ex, pushing any thoughts of them out of your mind without actually facing the pain that the separation has caused. With the Five of Cups reversed showing up, you are likely ready to not only deal with any heartache or heartbreak, but you are ready to admit that it really is over; and that it is time to move on with your life. 

However difficult it may be, you are no longer resisting reality. You are embracing the idea of healing along with the possibilities of a new beginning. In spite of any residual or lingering fears or doubts about moving on, you have finally come to see that there is still a lot for you to look forward to in life. Not only that, but you are ready to take the steps toward healing and recovering from such disappointments and/or losses.

Where career matters are concerned, the Five of Cups reversed could appear as a sign that any setbacks or delays are starting to lift and/or turn around. If you have been dissatisfied at your current place of employment, you may receive a promotion or even a job offer with a different company altogether.

If you experienced some form of a financial blow or loss, this reversed card comes as a sign that you are heading toward recovery where money matters are concerned.

Overall, receiving the Five of Cups reversed in a tarot card reading comes as a sign that things are finally starting to turn around. Rather than fixating on what you cannot control, you are encouraged to work toward healing and recovery. Not only that, but you are embracing any areas where you have struggled to focus on the present moment and/or positive future possibilities.