Tarot Card meaning for the Five of Cups

In the Five of Cups, we see a man facing three fallen cups; it looks like he is mourning his loss. There are, however, also two cups still standing upright – this may signal that it is time to refocus our energies on the two cups left standing, and work with what we still have.

The Five of Cups as a day card

Today we might want to mourn about something we have lost. We can take our time to acknowledge what has happened and what has been. Once we are ready we can turn around and see what we still have. What could this card relate to for you? How do you feel about the three fallen cups and the two behind you - what could they represent?

Negative or reversed meaning for this card

As the Five of Cups is relatively dark in its colour scheme, it is quite quickly interpreted more negatively. But firstly if the card represents an element of mourning, this does not have to be a bad thing. Secondly the card might on a more positive note indicate that it is now time to move on. The card might suggest that we cut or accept our loses and take what we still got left with us to new shores on the road ahead.

How this card could present itself in real life

One of the hardest things I had to give up when immigrating was my beloved dog (who still lived several very happy years with my parents). The life style we lived in my newly adopted country did not allow for another pet, nor is it always good to replace a pet too quickly I think. It took me a long time to get used to this but I also enjoyed my new life without obligatory walks and restrictions on where and when you could go to different places.

How this card is represented in other Tarot decks

The Celtic Dragon Tarot shows an elderly man walking out of a room but the image suggests, he might turn around and pick up the fallen cups. In the Celtic Dragon Tarot, this card shows we can possibly change the situation and it is not half as dark and definite as the card in the Rider Waite.

In the Osho Zen deck this card is called clinging to the past which is quite suitable. It goes on to state we cannot live in the past, nor in the future. The present is all we have. If this message comes in the form of a Tarot card, this is probably a good reminder for us to be more present.

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