Four of Cups Tarot Card
The Tarot Suit of Cups
The Tarot Suit of Cups is associated with the suit of Hearts in standard playing cards.
The cups depicted on tarot cards are usually, but not necessarily, in the style of ceremonial cups, chalices, or goblets. There are meanings associated with each of the suits in a tarot deck, as well as the more specific interpretations associated with each individual card and the yet more precise meanings of particular cards in particular locations within spreads.
The suit of cups is associated with the element of water (as in water signs of the zodiac). It is also associated with the season of autumn, also known as 'fall' in U.S. English, and with the direction West.
Cups concern emotions, love, romance, the wide range of emotions, mastery of emotions and feelings, and 'gut reactions' that call upon our intuitive as opposed to intellectual abilities and development.
The 'Fours' in the tarot deck are cards that begin to define a situation and set relevant boundaries. These incorporate order and structure, though not repression of expression or self-discovery.
In the case of the 4 of Cups the boundaries are of a mental or emotional nature and concern self-examination of how and why we feel the way we do, and what, exactly, we hope to achieve. Some popular decks such as the Rider-Waite and Robin Wood decks, illustrate a lone figure in a contemplative pose on the 4 of Cups tarot card. However, other decks, for example, the Elemental Tarot illustrate completely different symbolism, indicating e.g. claustrophobia and uncertainty, perhaps about feelings concerning the question or subject of the reading.
The 4 of Cups Tarot Card might appear as a suggestion that the querent dedicate the necessary time to identifying and resolving his or her conflicting emotions about the issue before trying to resolve it. Perhaps the real issue has not yet become clear and it is important that it be fully recognised and understood before progress can be made.
Keywords and phrases for some of the possible interpretations of the 4 of Cups Tarot Card include:
- Contemplation
- Introspection
- Rejection of gifts offered
- Search for understanding
- Self-awareness
- Solitude
- World-weariness.
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What about the Four of Cups Reversed ?
Some interpretations of the meaning of the 4 of Cups reversed include:
- Time to get moving rather than wallow in self-pity
- There may be opportunities available just waiting to be noticed and pursued
- Reluctance to express one's true feelings
The Tarot Suit of Cups
The Tarot Suit of Cups is associated with the suit of Hearts in standard playing cards.
The "Cups" depicted on tarot cards are usually in the style of goblets, ceremonial, or communion cups (as above). There are meanings associated with each of the suits in a tarot deck, as well as the more specific interpretations associated with each individual card - and yet more precise meanings pertaining to particular cards in particular locations within spreads.
The suit of cups is associated with the element of water (as in water signs of the zodiac). It is also associated with the season of autumn (or "fall" in U.S. English) and with the direction "West".
Cups concern emotions, love, romance, range of emotions, mastery of emotions and feelings, and "gut reactions" that call upon our intuitive as opposed to intellectual development.
