Tarot Card Symbolism: The Seven of Cups of the Minor Arcana

The Seven of Cups of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the seventh card of the Suit of Cups. It follows the Six of Cups. It is the embodiment wishful thinking and self-delusion.

The Symbolism of the Seven of Cups Tarot Card

This card is represented by a dark ambiguous figure, a conjurer, gazing up into a cloud filled with seven chalices. These chalices each have a single item rising from them. These seven items are: a snake, representing wisdom and knowledge; a shrouded figure, representing the need for illumination; a human head, representing a companion for the conjurer; a tower, representing stability and power; treasure, representing abundance and wealth; a laurel wreath, representing victory or honor, and status; and a dragon, representing supernatural forces.

These exact symbols and their meaning are less important than the fact that they exist at all. They should not exist, and are part of a dreamland.

The General Interpretation of the Seven of Cups Card

When appearing in a spread, this card implies the dreamworld, self-delusion, and wishful thinking. The seven cups are upon a cloud, which can indicate that they are far from being grounded, and are in fact impractical. They are truly no more than the creations of the figure who conjures them. It is unclear as to whether they are products of an over-active imagination, or simply represent confusion.

The cloud itself is grey, quite possibly indicating chaos. It is whimsical and incorporeal, perhaps representing the more whimsical part of the imagination. In general, this card can indicate either cause of this whimsy — imagination or confusion.

The Inner Meaning of the Seven of Cups in Tarot

The Seven of Cups is the image of ideas and wishes that are not concrete. This card is one of impracticality. An example of the senselessness of this card is refusing to live in the real world, simply because it is possible to win the lottery someday. Wishing for this is fine, but counting on it is not. You still must go to work to provide for your family, just in case you do not win.

This card, the Seven of Cups, reinforces this idea. It also teaches that wishing does not make it so. The cups and what they hold are not necessarily attainable. On the other hand, it also encourages dreams and wishes. They should be nurtured so that they endure. But reality should not be abandoned while these dreams are still unrealized.

The Eight of Cups follows this card.