The Seven of Cups: A figure that is shadowed stands in the foreground, back to us, facing a cloud on which 7 cups float. They are all filled with something different. One has a woman’s head floating above, one is shrouded, hands lifted as in entreaty, and red light emanating from it, one contains a snake, one a dragon with a forked tongue, one a laurel wreath, one overflows with jewels, and one contains a tower. If you look closer at the cup containing the laurel wreath, there appears to be a skull etched in its side. One gets the sense in looking at the card, that the figure is facing these cups filled with many choices, like we face the many paths that life can take us on.
The Seven of Cups

Overview and Common Meanings of The Seven of Cups

When the Seven of Cups shows up, there are many choices in front of you, and it could be hard to pick because they all seem great.  The important thing is seeing past the shiny illusions of what you think you want and taking the time to really make the choices that are right for you. 

Alternate names in varying decks for the Seven of Cups are choice, ambition, excess, and vision quest.

Transformation occurs when there has been a learning lesson and you choose to create a better choice.

Andrea Reibmayr

Common Meanings

Maybe you have been partying a lot to avoid taking the steps towards what you want in life.  This is a great time to stop wasting your time dreaming about what you want and to get off your metaphorical ass and start working towards it.  Sometimes this manifests as the need to move forward without seeing the whole picture; the leap of faith and trusting that it is all going to work out that is required in such cases.

 In a work related reading the Seven of Cups can indicate that you have lots of options coming your way, either within the job you now work, or offers for something new.  Again, really listen to your inner wisdom in this and remember that if an offer seems to good to be true, it likely is.  Regarding finances, it is a reminder that now is not the best time to make reckless purchases or investments.

 If you are asking about love and relationships, if you are not currently in a relationship, it could be a sign that you have many options to choose from.  The warning here to look past the shiny and really make sure that you make the choice that will be the best long term fit for you.  If you are in an established relationship, the Seven of Cups can show up to highlight options, which may not involve your current relationship.  If you are presented with the option of an affair, really take the time to weigh whether the short-term thrill is worth the potential long-term consequences. 

The Many Faces of The Seven of Cups   

The shadow side – or reversal – of the Seven of Cups can indicate extreme emotions or becoming embroiled in drama.  It can also serve as a warning to be careful of idealizing relationships or people and can indicate that you are being deceived by appearances.  Other meanings of the shadow side are fear of making the wrong choices, frustration at uncertainty, and overwhelm. 

Description of the Seven of Cups

float.  They are all filled with something different.  One has a woman’s head floating above, one is shrouded, hands lifted as in entreaty, and red light emanating from it, one contains a snake, one a dragon with a forked tongue, one a laurel wreath, one overflows with jewels, and one contains a tower.  If you look closer at the cup containing the laurel wreath, there appears to be a skull etched in its side.  One gets the sense in looking at the card, that the figure is facing these cups filled with many choices, like we face many paths in life.

Themes of The Seven of Cups

  • Choices
  • Confusion
  • Fantasies
  • Illusion
  • Imagination
  • New opportunities
  • Options
  • Sentiment
  • Wishful thinking

The Number 7

Seven is an important number.  It is the number of alliance, days of the week, days of creation of the universe.  The number seven is all about learning and understanding at a deeper, more intellectual level. Seven presents’ options and the ability to combine heaven and earth for creating the ideal.

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Contents of the 7 cups:
    – Male figure – possibly archangel Michael suggesting temperance
    – Shrouded figure – what is hidden, ascending consciousness, things yet to be revealed
    – Snake – knowledge and sycophancy
    – Tower – stronghold, security  
    – Laurel wreath – sign of victory, cup has the likeness of a skull, so is the victory false?
    – Jewels – wealth, fame, reputation
    – Dragon with forked tongue – are we hearing lies or the truth?

Herbs for The Seven of Cups

  • Elderberry – astral travel, enhances intuition  
  • Echinacea – psychic insight
  • Mugwort – introspection and intuition, gateway to inner-realms—unveiling who you are and what you need to understand. Promotes lucid dreaming. 
  • Peony – for becoming receptive, opening to your spiritual gifts and intuition
  • Sassafrass – foundation, thoughtful selections

Questions that the Seven of Cups asks us

  • Have you made some choices that haven’t turned out to be as good for you as they initially seemed, and if so, how can you course-correct and come back into true alignment with your spiritual self?
  • Are you having a hard time choosing something, because so many of the options seem great, and have you really checked in with yourself on which is right for you?

That is the Seven of Cups.  Wishing you a week in which you take whatever time you need to make sure your decisions are the right ones for you, no matter how fun and exciting the other stuff seems at first glance.  As always, please leave comments, ask questions, or reach out for a reading. Thank you for reading and please join me next week for the Eight of Cups!