5 of Cups in Tarot: meaning of the card, in love, work and more!

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Jennifer Sherman

What does the card 5 of Cups mean in Tarot?

Each card of the Tarot brings a meaning, a symbolism. In the case of the 5 of Cups the meaning of the card is somewhat discouraging. It indicates losses, disappointment and sadness.

The arcane still suggests regret. Maybe that's where the sadness comes from, but the card points to an important lesson: the time has come to let go of what happened. What counts are the lessons learned.

The chart shows a scenario of loss. The drawing of the chart indicates this, a scenario of evasion and loneliness. It is not about death, it seems something more linked to emotional issues. A friendship, or a love relationship.

The most important thing is to realize the message of recovery and possibilities that open up when that card appears in the game.

Fundamentals of the 5 of Cups card

Because it speaks of loss, sadness, abandonment, the 5 of Cups in the Tarot is considered a negative card. The suit of Cups is related to the element of water, therefore, related to emotions. This card alerts to the need for forgiveness. The mistakes serve to contribute to our improvement.

The 5 of Cups in the Tarot points to the lack of self-love being introduced into the soul of the searcher. Self-love helps in building a solid foundation in relationships.

This card teaches that disappointment is not always bad. It can be an opportunity for a new beginning. The opportunity to seek what is right and best for you.

History

There is no official record of the history of the Tarot. What is known is that the 56 cards of the minor arcana were created a different time from the major arcana, but it is not known at what time they were united.

The numbered cards, minor arcana, are formed by 56 cards divided into suits of hearts, water, clubs, and gold. They would have been taken by Mamluk warriors to Europe during the Middle Ages.

Iconography

The Tarot cards are full of symbolism. In the case of the Tarot card 5 of Cups, it is observed in some card models that a young woman looks to the left and holds a lit candle in her right hand and, with the other hand, waves to reach the young man in front of her.

The young man has wings and runs away from the girl. On the ground 4 fallen cups and one standing. It is night and there is a crescent moon.

In other versions, the Tarot 5 of Cups features the image of a young man on his back wearing a black cape looking at the horizon. Near him are 5 cups: three are overturned and two are standing, intact.

The suit of hearts

The suit of Cups in the Tarot is connected to the element of water and speaks of emotion. A good symbolism for water is that it does not face barriers, it goes around them. This is a good teaching for life.

Just as water takes shape according to the container that holds it, feelings follow the events of life and this determines behavior.

The suit of hearts speaks of the emotional side and shows the importance of letting feelings surface in certain circumstances to direct achievements.

Water element

Water is an element that is linked to emotion. One characteristic of water is that it takes the shape of the container that holds it. In this sense, water can have the shape of a bottle, a glass. Therefore, there is no official shape for water. It can be anything.

Think of the chalice with water. A fluid element that adapts itself to any form. Just like the ocean, feelings are mysterious, you don't know what it may reveal. Therefore, a surprise is possible at any moment.

Meanings of the card 5 of Cups

In the Tarot the 5 of Cups indicates you are so focused on what you missed in life that you don't notice the opportunities that appear. Focus on new plans.

The arcane 5 of Cups in the Tarot suggests frustration and regret of decisions in the emotional realm. This card symbolizes disillusionment, that instant when the character loses the mask and what emerges is not pleasant.

The card symbolizes remorse, disappointment. It is the end of the romantic illusion. The object of love takes the shape of reality. And it is not always pleasant.

Defeats and losses

If one card can indicate trouble, it is the 5 of Cups. The card signifies difficulty, loss, and challenges. It is the card of mourning.

How hard it is to overcome a loss. No matter what it is, of course not, it is something pleasant and the urge is to stop life the instant before, before the loss.

Facing this, it is common to get stuck in the past, in a time when happiness was full. Sweet illusion. It is necessary to walk. It is necessary to move forward only with our learnings.

Bitterness and regret

When you look at the 5 of Cups Tarot card it is easy to understand why it is so heavy. Bitterness, sadness and regret are feelings expressed in the card. The fallen chalices express some of this scenario, but all is not lost.

It is difficult to realize this when you are experiencing the situation, but you can always extract a learning message that helps you move forward and even enter a solution. The most important thing in this scenario is not to be self-pitying.

If there is a possibility for you to change the situation, do it, but if it's not possible, don't blame yourself. Let go and let life take its course.

Affective disappointments

Affective disappointments are more common than you think. The 5 of Cups is synonymous of disappointment in a love relationship. The greater the idealization, the greater the disillusionment.

For this reason, even when this letter that speaks of disappointment and emotional breakups appears, it is necessary to create internal strength and give new meaning to life. As the popular teaching says, what does not kill, makes you stronger.

Need for acceptance

As the serenity prayer says: May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept. There are times in life when you need to step back.

The 5 of Cups is an important point of change. It marks the moment when you accept something that has got out of control. From then on, you have to build something better.

Change of attitude

There is no way to change the past, it cannot be undone. It is possible to change the course of life and have a completely different future.

In the arcane, the two standing chalices symbolize that not all hope is gone. It is a thread of hope that can be pulled and a new future can begin.

The 5 of Cups in the Tarot indicates the need to put an end to romantic illusion and look at the relationship in a real and true way. You need to accept what you have lost and move on.

Hearts in love

If the suit of hearts is a sign of love, then the 5 of Cups in a drawing about love can signal a period of suffering in a relationship that has ended.

In love, the 5 of Cups suggests disillusionment. The advice when this card appears is to take distance from problems. In this way, it will be possible to see them and find a solution.

With the 5 of Cups in the Tarot it's time to welcome sadness. Don't act nervous. In the relationship field, the 5 of Cups suggests disappointment or betrayal.

Maybe it's time to rethink the relationship. It's up to you whether it's worth trying to save this relationship. In any case, starting over differently also means making room for the new.

For committed people

If you are in a relationship and the 5 of hearts comes up for you in a move, you need to be alert: you are about to break up or move away from your date for a period of time.

This separation will pave the way for a period of sadness that is normal, but keep in mind that you need to leave the past behind and start over. If there was hurt, disappointment, leave it behind.

If, after being apart, you decide to return, a new relationship is born. If you decide to put an end to this story, it is a cycle that ends. The 5 of Cups in the Tarot also indicates that the time has come to give life a new meaning.

For singles

Loneliness is what is left for someone who is going through a 5 of hearts moment. In this scenario of disillusionment, the best thing to do is to take care of yourself and only then, look for love.

Think of this period as a preparation for a new relationship. Evaluate your expectation of a new relationship and what you expect that new relationship to be like.

5 of hearts at work

When it comes to work, the 5 of Cups can signal job or financial loss. If you've lent money to someone you may have trouble getting paid.

Another interpretation for this card is a business that may not work out if you are an entrepreneur or a resignation if you are an employee. Either way, it is an indication that you will have to delay your plans.

If you are an entrepreneur, check your accounting, your personal accounts should be separate from your company accounts. If you don't do this, you may need to organize your company finances.

And if you're employed and lose your job, don't be discouraged. Look for something new, take courses to qualify and have faith: you'll soon get a better position.

For employees

The 5 of Cups card in the Tarot indicates a period of loss and sadness and this can affect the world of work as you will not be focused. You need to take back the reins of your life so that things turn out as you expect.

Emotional instability can affect the professional universe. When the 5 of Cups Tarot card appears, it is not only sadness or losses that it indicates. It signals that you need to heal the pain and make room for the new.

The advice here is one of caution: perhaps that long-dreamed-of promotion won't come as quickly as you'd like; on the contrary, you may be fired. Watch your finances.

For unemployed persons

The 5 of Cups signaled it. Now, look forward. The company was good, your co-workers were great, but now this is no longer part of your life.

The chart indicates exactly that: look forward. Did you get unemployed? It happens. You have to look for another job. Take courses, improve your qualifications. Tell people close to you that you are looking for a new opportunity.

Don't let this period of instability keep you from your goal. You lost your job, but it's the end of the cycle. The relationship between you and the company is over. It's time for you to learn new things elsewhere.

Financial aspects

If the card of the 5th of hearts represents losses, it is good to be careful with money. That's right. Bad things never go alone, say the pessimists always on duty.

This card signals sadness, breakups. If, by chance, you have ended a long relationship, either dating or marriage, and you are very sad, maybe you have left many things in your life aside. Be careful.

Going through emotional instability can lead to vulnerability. Excessive spending to compensate for sadness. Be restrained in spending so you don't create unnecessary debt.

Combinations with the card 5 of hearts

The Tarot gives many possibilities for reading, including yes or no answers. In the case of the minor arcana, they can serve as a guide to the answers, so it is important to see the combinations.

Therefore, when doing a more complete Tarot reading it is important to also analyze the cards that appear in the game. After all, the combinations of cards can signal and bring very important messages. Follow some examples.

Positive combinations

Not everything is lost when the 5 of Cups appears. Look at the glass half full. In a complete play it is necessary to analyze also the other cards that appear. See some examples of positive combinations with the 5 of Cups:

The 5 of Cups and The Hermit: Loneliness. You can take the moment alone to reflect on your life and plan your next steps.

The 5 of Cups with The Ace of Cups: If the relationship faces ups and downs, it is worth sitting down and talking. Have the famous "DR" to try to restore and save this relationship. Do not give up yet.

Negative combinations

The world is dual, meaning that everything has two sides, so just as there are positive combinations, there are those combinations that are considered negative with the 5 of Cups Tarot. Let's look at some of them.

The 5 of Cups with The Crazy: An unpromising new beginning. Nothing stops you from trying to change things, just don't have too many expectations.

The 5 of Cups with The Magician: You are very hard on yourself and blame yourself because maybe someone has wronged you, or you have wronged someone.

The 5 of Cups with The Car: You have to face life. Everyone has problems, so there is no point in running away or avoiding them.

A little more about the card 5 of Cups

The 5 of Cups is not only a card of loss or sadness. It represents the inability to learn from past mistakes. People with this profile get stuck in a period that does not return and end up losing the here and now.

Another possibility for this card is that if it represents a person, perhaps it is someone who has guilt or shame. Perhaps someone who is in a deceptive or unethical activity.

It's no use getting stuck in the past, it can't be changed. The 5 of Cups of the Tarot calls for a change of life to make a different future. That's what the chalices that remain standing on the card show.

In health

The arcane of cups is connected to the element of water, which is fundamental to life. 70% of the human body is made of water. Another detail of this element is that it is also connected to emotion.

In health, the 5th card of Cups in the Tarot can indicate a disturbance in vitality. When you don't have vitality, your health in general can be shaken. It's like digging a hole in the roof. In case of rain, a leak.

Therefore, when the 5 of Cups of the Tarot appears in the area of health it is related to the psychological aspect.

When we live a stressful situation one of the effects can be discouragement which, in the face of sadness, affects our emotional and even physical health. The 5 of Cups indicates tiredness and weariness and can cause nervousness.

Inverted card

The inverted card also has its meaning. If the 5 of Cups appears inverted in a game it is a sign that negative feelings of regret, frustration and mourning have been overcome. End of phase.

It's time to move on and the inverted 5 of Cups shows that loss and sadness are still present.

In the case of relationships, the inverted 5 of Cups indicates that fights should be seen as a chance to understand each other's needs and, in this way, seek and find harmony between the couple.

In the professional area, when it is inverted, the 5 of Cups inverted signals a change to a better position.

Challenges

The challenge of the 5 of Cups is to miss the chance to take care of what is really important in your life. It is necessary to overcome difficulties to achieve security.

Have the self-control to understand the situation and define what needs to be done.

Can the 5 of Cups signal a good time to exercise self-responsibility?

Although it may seem discouraging, the 5 of Cups in the Tarot is a card that signals that it is necessary to "take back the reins of the situation". And this is only possible with strong self-perception and a little courage.

Doing what you have to do is not always easy. Besides courage you need self-knowledge. Knowing your traumas.

Despite the negative message, the Five of Cups reminds us of the importance of overcoming the past and learning from losses.

As an expert in the field of dreams, spirituality and esotericism, I am dedicated to helping others find the meaning in their dreams. Dreams are a powerful tool for understanding our subconscious minds and can offer valuable insights into our daily lives. My own journey into the world of dreams and spirituality began over 20 years ago, and since then I have studied extensively in these areas. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others and helping them to connect with their spiritual selves.