Eight of Cups

Words describing Eight of Cups: Separation, abandonment, disappointment, sorrow, letting go, moving on, loss, detachment.

How to interpret Eight of Cups in tarot

Past

Eight of Cups (upright)

Present

Four of Wands (reversed)

Future

Knight of Cups (reversed)

The Basic Meaning of the Card (Rider-Waite)

The basic meaning of the Eight of Cups (Rider-Waite) is one of transition, where you are leaving something behind in search of something new and more meaningful. The card shows a person leaving eight cups, symbolizing emotional and material ties, to follow another path in pursuit of personal growth and spiritual fulfillment.

Upright Meaning

When the Eight of Cups is upright, it indicates that you are feeling an inner longing for change and that you are ready to leave something behind in order to explore new possibilities. This could be ending a relationship, changing jobs, or moving to a new location. The card encourages you to follow your intuition and to be brave enough to take the step into the unknown, even if it means leaving something safe and comfortable behind.

Reversed Meaning

When the Eight of Cups is reversed, it can indicate that you are having difficulty letting go of the past and feeling stuck in a situation that is no longer fulfilling. It can also suggest that you are considering leaving something behind, but feeling fear or uncertainty about the change. Reversed, the card can also mean that you have left something behind hastily, without giving it a fair chance to improve or evolve.

Example Reading

If the Eight of Cups appears in a reading about your career, it may indicate that you are feeling unsatisfied with your current job and longing for a change. The card encourages you to consider what is important to you and to make brave decisions in order to follow your dreams and passions. It is important to reflect on what you are leaving behind and understand why it no longer meets your needs, so that you can learn from these experiences and make more meaningful choices in the future.

Psychological Interpretation

Archetypal Meanings

The Eight of Cups is an archetype that represents the act of leaving behind something or someone that was once important to us. It is a card of abandonment, detachment, and moving on. This archetype is commonly associated with the journey of self-discovery and the search for deeper meaning and purpose in life.

Behavioral Patterns

The Eight of Cups can indicate a tendency to walk away from situations or relationships that no longer serve us. It may suggest that the individual is seeking something more fulfilling and meaningful in their life, and is willing to let go of the familiar in order to find it. This card can also represent a sense of dissatisfaction or restlessness, as if something is missing or not quite right in one’s current circumstances.

Integration and Shadow Work

Psychologically, the Eight of Cups can be seen as an invitation to confront and work through our fears of change and the unknown. It may also suggest the need to let go of attachments and expectations in order to move forward and find true fulfillment. Shadow work with this card may involve exploring any patterns of avoidance or fear of commitment that may be holding us back from pursuing our true desires. It can also involve examining the ways in which we may be clinging onto the past or familiar, even if it is no longer serving us.