The Eight of Cups of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the eighth card of the Suit of Cups. It follows the Seven of Cups. It is the embodiment changes in affection, and the gaining of a new perspective.
The Symbolism of the Eight of Cups Tarot Card
This card is represented by an ambiguous figure retreating into the distance; his face cannot be seen, but he carries a walking stick to aid him on his journey. He crosses a landscape of rivers and sharp, jagged rocks. This landscape can indicate trials or hardship along the way.
In the foreground are eight cups, all upright and shining, stacked in two rows. The moon looks down upon the figure with understanding as he walks away from the cups with all speed. He never glances back.
The General Interpretation of the Eight of Cups Card
When appearing in a spread, this card implies changing affections and usually the breaking of ties with the past; this break is clean and immediate. Generally speaking, this is indicative of the turning away from old relationships and affections, those which have grown stale and useless, in pursuit of that which is more emotionally fulfilling.
This card, The Eight of Cups, can mean either that you are intentionally fleeing an emotional situation that is uncomfortable, or deliberately moving toward something that is more emotionally fulfilling situation. However, it usually indicates a little of both, for when you move toward something, you are inevitably moving away from something else.
The Inner Meaning of the Eight of Cups in Tarot
The Eight of Cups is the image of both disillusionment and the search for deeper meaning. The figure in this card is changing his perspective on life, having grown tired and disillusioned with the present. He sets off in search of contentment, and a deeper emotional fulfillment.
The journey he must take will be fraught with difficulty, as is indicated by the desolate landscape. He will make the voyage, however, for any end, any true fulfillment, is worth paying a price. He knows, in the end, that he will find not just contentment, but emotional depth and completion. It is this knowledge that gives him the courage to turn his back on the present and seek out the future.
The Nine of Cups follows this card.
Not all Tarot readers choose to read reversed (upside down) cards as any different than upright cards. However, if you do read reversed meanings, you should always read reversed meanings to avoid confusing yourself and your cards. For those Tarot readers who do read reversed meanings into Tarot spreads, the Seven of Cups often indicates that a time of muddle is ending and the future is beginning to look much clearer. It may also mean that the time to engage in the real world and set aside wishes and dreams.
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.
If you, as a Tarot reader, choose to read those cards that appear reversed (upside down) as having different meanings that upright cards, then the Six of Cups in its reversed position could be interpreted to mean that this is not the time to look backwards. The past is now the past. It is time to move forward in business and in your personal life. If friends vanish, they will make way for new ones to come.
