FIVE OF CUPS
A woman seated on the ground, cross-legged → feeling low, withdrawn, or defeated.
Tears streaming down her face → grief, loss, emotional overwhelm.
Two cups dripping above her and pooling below → emotional resources that feel wasted, disappointment, or heartbreak.
A large shadowy pool of water → sitting in the aftermath of loss; being consumed by what has spilled.
Blue aura rising behind her → emotional intensity, but also potential spiritual cleansing.
This card illustrates grief, regret, emotional processing, mourning, and the heavy weight of focusing on what’s gone rather than what remains.
UPRIGHT MEANING
Overall
The Five of Cups upright symbolizes loss, disappointment, emotional pain, regret, or grief — but also the reminder that not all is lost. There are still blessings or opportunities left standing, even if they’re not immediately visible.
1. Emotions / Relationships
Heartbreak, emotional disappointment
Feeling let down or betrayed
Mourning the past
Focusing on what went wrong
Difficulty seeing remaining love or support
Theme: “Honor your pain, but don’t let it blind you to what remains.”
2. Motivation / Drive
Feeling unmotivated after a setback
Struggling to move forward
Dwelling on past failures
Difficulty seeing new possibilities
Theme: “Your spirit is tired — but this is not the end.”
3. Communication / Intellect
Regret over words said or unsaid
Avoiding difficult conversations
Mentally replaying the past
Feeling misunderstood or disconnected
Fixation on past mistakes clouding judgment
Theme: “Release mental loops — clarity comes when the heart softens.”
4. Finances / Strategy
Regret over missed opportunities or losses
Financial setbacks
Dwelling on what didn’t work
Difficulty seeing solutions because of emotional stress
Need to shift focus toward remaining options
Theme: “Not all is lost — redirect attention to what you can still build.”
REVERSED MEANING
Overall
Healing, acceptance, emotional renewal, forgiveness, and turning toward hope. Rebuilding begins. Light re-enters.
1. Emotions / Relationships
Letting go of past hurt
Rebuilding trust
Healing heartbreak
Seeing remaining blessings
Openness to new emotional experiences
Theme: “You are ready to rise again.”
2. Motivation / Drive
A return of energy
Hope creeping back in
New motivation after a dark period
Finding strength through resilience
Theme: “Your comeback begins quietly within you.”
3. Communication / Intellect
Willingness to talk things through
Letting go of resentment
Clear thinking replacing emotional fog
Apologies or forgiveness
Theme: “Your mind clears as your heart heals.”
4. Finances / Strategy
Recovering from a financial loss
Learning from mistakes
Seeing fresh opportunities
Re-organizing your money strategy wisely
Theme: “From loss comes better planning.”
ZODIAC SIGNS RELATED TO THE FIVE OF CUPS
The traditional astrological influence is:
Scorpio (Mars in Scorpio) — deep emotions, transformation, facing shadows, emotional intensity.
Also resonates with:
Cancer — emotional sensitivity
Pisces — sorrow, compassion, spiritual release
BIBLE VERSE (NLT) WITH THE SAME MEANING
Psalm 34:18 (NLT):
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
This verse mirrors the grief + the hidden hope of the Five of Cups.
NIGERIAN PIDGIN PROVERB
“No cry finish, time still dey for better thing.”
Meaning: Don’t get lost in sorrow — life still has goodness ahead.
AFFIRMATION
“I release what I cannot change and open my heart to new healing and new hope.”
JOURNAL PROMPTS — FIVE OF CUPS
1. Emotions / Relationships
What loss or disappointment am I still holding onto?
What emotions am I afraid to fully acknowledge?
What still remains in my life that I haven’t appreciated because I’ve been focused on the pain?
What would emotional healing look like for me right now?
2. Motivation / Drive
How has this setback affected my motivation or self-belief?
What small step could help me begin moving forward again?
What have I learned from this experience that strengthens me?
What part of me needs encouragement, not pressure?
3. Communication / Intellect
What conversations or apologies do I need to give or receive?
What mental loops or regrets am I replaying?
Where can I replace criticism with compassion for myself?
What new perspective could help me understand the situation differently?
4. Finances / Strategy
What financial loss or regret am I dwelling on?
What options or resources still remain available to me right now?
What lesson did this situation teach me about money or planning?
How can I rebuild from here in a grounded, realistic way?
