Meaning of the Cups – Minor Arcana

The Cups are therefore one of the 4 groups found among the minor arcana. Like the 3 other groups, they number 14 cards or blades. 10 numeral cards ranging from the Ace to number 10 and 4 character cards which are the page, the knight, the queen and the king, also called court or honour cards.

The Cups are influenced by the natural element of water, by the season of summer and by the zodiac signs that are Cancers, Scorpios and Pisces. They are close to the Hearts found in ordinary playing card decks.

The Cups are the suit of cards in the Tarot of Marseille relating to everything that touches emotions and feelings. They clearly indicate that the person concerned reacts much more with their heart than with their mind to deal with various situations, whether positive or negative. The cups therefore speak to us of the different relationships a subject can have, whether friendly, romantic, family or professional in nature. In general, they emphasise sensitivity, spontaneity and the overflowing imagination of this same subject, who can go from immense joy to great sadness, depending on events. The somewhat negative sides are a lack of self-confidence and the tendency to dream too much about one’s fate.

The Ace of Cups

This is the card of the promise of a new opening, whether professional or romantic. It is also one of the best cards in a love reading. On its depiction, we are faced with the 3 faces of a pyramid, which evoke the act of being born, that of living, and that of dying.

But the tip of this same pyramid is crowned with a rosebud, which expresses the feelings and emotions that emanate from each of us throughout a destiny. In a reading, it is the card of openness to love.

• Upright : Openness – Feelings – Love – Destiny
• Reversed : Withdrawal

The 2 of Cups

This card symbolises the beauty of a couple and what these two people bring to each other. It of course embodies the notions of engagement and marriage. Here, it is also the sensitivity of each one that is expressed through the depiction of fish, which are strong emotional symbols.

Moreover, these latter face each other, like mirror neurons, who understand that they have finally found the soulmate with whom to share a piece of life together. And from this love will spring an intense happiness made of respect, comfort, mutual support and balance.

• Upright : Sensitivity – Sharing – Respect – Union
• Reversed : Solitude

The 3 of Cups

This card embodies the joy of gathering in friendship, sharing and the satisfaction of being able to come together. In love, it is a sign of communion of feelings over the long term.

It is also the sign that conflicts of interest are finally resolved and that peace is therefore restored between 2 people who finally now know that they appreciate each other far more than they imagine. It is therefore the card dedicated to drawing closer between individuals, which is a very good sign for all single people in a reading.

• Upright : Gathering – Friendship – Peace – Closeness
• Reversed : Estrangement

The 4 of Cups

This card is ambiguous because it has a double meaning depending on the cards associated with it. Thus, it can evoke the desire for isolation within a couple and a certain lack of empathy with those around. It can therefore also be a sign of profound romantic solitude and of a continuous search for the ideal person to be by one’s side.

But it can just as easily speak of consolidation and security within a couple’s relationship, and therefore of emotional balance finally soothed in the arms of the other. 

• Upright : Ambiguity – Isolation – Stability – Fusion
• Reversed : Detachment

The 5 of Cups

This is unfortunately the card of disappointments and all sorts of disillusionments. It is synonymous with remorse and a long search to find the soulmate. It is therefore the card of traumas, relating to feelings of all kinds.

We thus speak of emotional conflicts and blockages, linked to situations experienced in the past. This card therefore confronts us with many difficulties that touch the deepest feelings. But, even if it seems quite harmful to the querents, it offers a few emergency exits to the less pessimistic.

• Upright : Disappointments – Remorse – Traumas – Unblocking
• Reversed : Emancipation

The 6 of Cups

This card is representative of positive redemption after pains known in the past. It is the symbol of a new flight to come, especially when speaking of a romantic relationship. It is therefore the card of past memories and nostalgia, which help to better set one’s gaze towards the future.

For what is better than experiences acquired over the years to better know who one truly is and what one truly desires today ? From this card therefore emerges a reflection that leads towards a fulfilment with the loved one.

• Upright : Memories – Redemption – Experience – Fulfilment
• Reversed : Remorse

The 7 of Cups

This is the card that represents the realisation of an old dream to fulfil. It offers possibilities of choice to move forward, especially on the subject of shared love. But, it speaks to us first and foremost of old desires we have still not fulfilled and comes to tickle our ego and emotions regarding our failures.

It more particularly awakens our heartaches, but urges us to move forward to take a real revenge on our romantic destiny. The game is therefore not over and it is our turn to play…

• Upright : Failure – Sorrow – Revenge – Realisation
• Reversed : Disappointment

The 8 of Cups

This card evokes above all a passage of necessary questioning. It indicates a real need for clarification, to start again on good foundations. It shows us the right direction to evolve in the best way, but at the same time announces to us that this will not happen without a few upheavals.

But, there is no escape if the querent wishes to get rid of old demons, which prevent them from being totally happy in their couple’s relationship. Indeed, it is always better to free oneself from a weight than to stagnate with it.

• Upright : Reflection – Upheaval – Introspection – Liberation
• Reversed : Stagnation

The 9 of Cups

This card indicates satisfaction in many areas. It is moreover one of the most positive cards one can find among the minor arcana. It speaks to us first of all of transition to address in our lives, of decisions to make to brighten our path.

Then, it describes to us with what joy and motivation we will rise towards total fulfilment, thanks to the choices made. Satisfaction and harmony are therefore on the agenda, especially since our heart is no longer or will no longer be up for grabs.

• Upright : Transition – Motivation – Path – Satisfaction
• Reversed : Indecisive

The 10 of Cups

This card evokes the harmony currently present in your life. It is therefore much appreciated in a reading, so much does it emphasise the serene side of your current destiny. If you are in a couple, it assures you that everything is going well, within your relationship based on fusional love and not passionate love.

If, on the other hand, you are in a situation of being single, it reassures you about the little time you have left to endure, before finding the soulmate you are missing, to be finally fulfilled by life. It is therefore the card of well-being, which comforts us with who we are.

• Upright : Harmony – Serenity – Fusion – Well-being
• Reversed : Misfortune

The Page

This card urges you to better express your feelings, especially in love. Its character stands towards the left, which is the direction of the heart, which tends to open up to everything that touches our emotions, in particular those relating to love. This Page seems sensitive through the features of his face and one feels that he must reveal his feelings to be able to feel lighter.

And this Page is you, he represents you, since you have just drawn this card. So you will have to show sincerity towards yourself if you want to keep or win over the desired person.

• Upright : Declaration – Feelings – Sincerity – Conquest
• Reversed : Lies

The Knight

This card speaks to us of transmission of positive energy with others. That is to say that, as a querent, this card announces that you will soon do everything to release the maximum flow of love around you.

Perhaps to get your couple out of a rough patch, or to get yourself out of an overly long period of being single. Whatever the case, you will, like the preacher, admirably spread all the compassion you possess deep within yourself, in order to love and be loved in return.

• Upright : Transmission – Energy – Compassion – Love
• Reversed : Jealousy

The Queen

This card embodies empathy and compassion towards others. It possesses a power of spiritual healing, which makes it so unique in a reading. In any case, it is calm and serenity that emerges from it, everything that makes a love story beautiful and destined to last over time.

Here, it is tenderness and compassion that prevail and that make unions strong and united over the long term. Moreover, this card also plays a role on the professional side, since it facilitates positive exchanges as well as the integration of new members for example.

• Upright : Empathy – Compassion – Tenderness – Serenity
• Reversed : Egocentrism

The King

This card symbolises grounding and wisdom, with tolerance, loyalty and above all great responsibility. Which makes it a very beneficial card in many areas, even if that of love and feelings still takes precedence.

It embodies experience and maturity, which are both necessary to make a couple’s relationship last over time. But it is just as filled with professional divinations through its authoritarian side, although very affectionate. Thus, it foresees for us a career in constant evolution.

• Upright : Wisdom – Tolerance – Responsibility – Affection
• Reversed : Disorganised