Five of Cups
The Five of Cups is a card that, at first glance, can feel heavy. It’s an image that often shows a figure cloaked in black, head bowed, focusing on three spilled cups before them, while two upright cups stand unnoticed behind. This scene is rich with symbolism, speaking to loss, disappointment, and the challenge of moving forward. Yet, at its core, the Five of Cups is not just about pain—it’s an invitation to process our emotions and rediscover hope, even in difficult times.
Understanding the Five of Cups: Context and Imagery
In the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, the Five of Cups presents a solitary figure, absorbed by what’s been lost. The landscape is gray and somber, with a river flowing between the individual and a distant home or castle—a symbol of the divide between present sorrow and the possibility of comfort or belonging.
This card captures a universal human experience: disappointment. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a relationship ending, or simply the weight of regret, the Five of Cups mirrors those moments when grief seems to eclipse everything else.
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
— Rumi
Main Meanings of the Five of Cups
Upright Interpretation
Key themes: Loss, grief, regret, focusing on the negative, difficulty letting go.
- Feeling disappointed or heartbroken by recent events
- Focusing on what went wrong rather than what remains
- Struggling to accept change or unforeseen outcomes
When the Five of Cups appears upright, it suggests that you may be experiencing a setback or mourning an outcome that didn’t go as planned. The card doesn’t minimize your pain—it acknowledges it. But it also quietly points to the two upright cups behind the figure: not everything is lost. There is still support, possibility, and hope, even if it’s hard to see right now.
Reversed Interpretation
Key themes: Acceptance, moving on, forgiveness, new perspective, emotional recovery.
- Letting go of past disappointments
- Beginning the process of emotional healing
- Shifting focus from loss to opportunity
In the reversed position, the Five of Cups indicates a turning point. It suggests you are ready to process your feelings and start moving forward. The pain is still acknowledged, but there’s a conscious effort to shift away from dwelling on loss and toward seeking new meaning or opportunities.
Five of Cups in Modern Life: A Psychological Perspective
Why do we focus on what’s missing? It’s a common human tendency to ruminate on what went wrong or what we’ve lost. Psychologists call this “negativity bias”—our brains are wired to pay more attention to negative experiences than positive ones. This was useful for survival, but in today’s world, it can keep us stuck in cycles of regret and sadness.
The Five of Cups reminds us that while acknowledging pain is important, it’s equally vital to recognize the resources and possibilities that remain. Ignoring our emotions doesn’t help, but neither does letting them define us forever.
Emotional Processing and Self-Compassion
Sometimes, we need to give ourselves permission to grieve. The Five of Cups is an invitation to feel your feelings—without judgment. If you’ve experienced a setback, allow yourself to mourn. Suppressing emotions can actually prolong suffering, while self-compassion can ease it.
“It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to feel disappointed. Your feelings are valid, but they do not have to be permanent.”
Changing Perspective: Finding the Upright Cups
The two standing cups behind the figure symbolize what’s still good and possible. This card asks: Are you willing to turn around and notice them? In practice, this means looking for support systems, small joys, or new opportunities—even if they seem minor at first. It’s not about ignoring your pain, but about balancing it with hope.
Applying the Five of Cups: Practical Steps for Healing
1. Name and Validate Your Feelings
- Write down what you’re feeling—anger, sadness, regret—and what triggered these emotions.
- Remind yourself that it’s natural to feel this way after loss or disappointment.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
- Speak to yourself as you would to a close friend in pain.
- Use affirmations like, “It’s understandable to feel this way. I am allowed to grieve.”
3. Identify What Remains
- List two or three things in your life that are still sources of support, joy, or possibility.
- Notice if there are people, skills, or opportunities you may have overlooked.
4. Take a Small Step Forward
- Reach out to someone you trust and talk about your feelings.
- Engage in a small, meaningful activity—something that brings comfort or a sense of accomplishment.
- Set a gentle intention to try again, seek help, or simply get through today.
5. Mindfulness Exercise: The Cup Meditation
- Sit quietly with a cup of water or tea.
- Reflect on the “spilled cups” (your losses or regrets). Acknowledge them with compassion.
- Now, turn your attention to the cup in your hands. What does it represent? Consider the support, hope, or new opportunities it might symbolize for you.
- Take a sip, imagining nourishment and renewal.
Five of Cups at Work and in Relationships
In the Workplace
Setbacks at work—missed goals, conflicts, or failed projects—can feel particularly personal. The Five of Cups encourages you to process the disappointment, but also to reconsider what’s left: What did you learn? Is there another path forward? Can you seek feedback or support?
In Relationships
Loss or disappointment in relationships is deeply painful. Sometimes, we fixate on what went wrong, forgetting the connections or strengths still present. This card suggests gently shifting your focus—either to healing within the relationship, or to nurturing other supportive bonds.
“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
— Joseph Campbell
Moving Forward: The Gift of the Five of Cups
The Five of Cups is not just a reminder of pain—it’s a gentle prompt to honor your feelings and, when you’re ready, to look for hope. This card respects your process. It doesn’t rush you, but it does suggest that healing is possible, and that you’re not as alone or empty-handed as you may feel.
Remember, moving from grief to acceptance is a journey, not a leap. Each small act of self-care—each time you notice an “upright cup”—brings you closer to recovery and renewal.
Tarot is not fortune-telling — it’s a mirror for reflection and growth.
