Five of Cups Tarot Card Meaning: Loss, Regret & Recovery
Description
Key Symbol: The Five of Cups depicts a figure in despair, mourning over three spilled cups while two remain standing. A powerful river separates him from a distant home, symbolizing emotional turmoil and separation.
Keywords
Keywords: Loss, Regret, Disappointment | Recovery, Acceptance, Healing
↑ Upright Meanings
General
Core Meaning: The Five of Cups symbolizes disappointment and dwelling on past regrets. You may feel unhappy about unmet expectations and miss opportunities due to emotional focus on loss.
Features:
- Emotional turmoil and self-pity
- Unwillingness to learn from mistakes
- Focus on spilled cups (loss) rather than standing ones (hope)
Love & Relationships
❤️ Love: You may be grieving a breakup or tension in your relationship. The card signals emotional loss but also highlights overlooked positives, like lessons learned or newfound freedom.
Summary: grieving break up, time of tension and sadness in relationship
Career & Work
💼 Career: Loss of a job, project, or partnership may bring sadness. However, there are learning opportunities and elements to salvage. Maintain positive relationships and stay connected to what you’ve lost.
Summary: taking a step backward in your career, job loss, business loss
Finances
💰 Finances: Economic loss and stress are likely. Avoid wasteful spending and focus on rebuilding. Look to your skills and remaining resources for recovery.
Summary: financial loss, still things left to salvage
Feelings
Feelings: A sense of loss, disappointment, and sadness dominates. This card urges processing emotional wounds and finding ways to heal and move forward.
Actions
Actions: Approach situations with caution. Reflect on past experiences, embrace self-care, and seek support. Focus on the "full cups"—what remains and can be rebuilt.
Yes/No
Yes or No: No. The Five of Cups suggests unresolved grief or regret, making it a challenging time for positive outcomes. Focus on healing before moving forward.
↓ Reversed Meanings
General
⚠️ Reversed Core Meaning: Recovery from regret and acceptance of the past. You recognize the lessons and strength gained from painful experiences.
Love & Relationships
❤️ Love Reversed: Time to move on from past grief. Accept what happened and make room for new love. If in a relationship, avoid dwelling on past hurts.
Summary: moving on from past relationship, healing from old wounds
Career & Work
💼 Career Reversed: Signs of recovery after setbacks. Healing is on the way, and you may find a better-suited position.
Summary: job loss leading to better position, healing from career misstep
Finances
💰 Finances Reversed: Relief from financial turmoil. New paths to stability emerge, and you can rebuild from remaining resources.
Summary: relief from financial loss, rebuilding financial security
Feelings
Feelings Reversed: Shift towards acceptance and emotional healing. Let go of past disappointments and embrace gratitude and optimism.
Actions
Actions Reversed: Actively work towards emotional healing. Release negativity, practice self-care, and focus on the present for renewal.
Yes/No
Yes or No Reversed: Maybe. The reversed Five of Cups indicates progress in healing, but outcomes depend on your willingness to let go of the past.