Tarot cards - The Ace of Cups a large hand is open with a golden chalice bearing an inverted M resting in the palm. From the chalice, 5 streams of water flow down to a pond on which waterlilies float. There are water droplets all around and below the chalice. Above the chalice is a dove, facing or flying downwards into the chalice, holding within its beak a cross within a circle, or a wafer that is imprinted with the cross and circle.
The Ace of Cups

Overview and common meanings of The Ace of Cups in Tarot  

When the Ace of Cups shows up, divine love and empathy flow through you.  The Ace of Cups is about beginnings and love.  Alternate names in varying decks:  Happiness, abundance.

Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Common Meanings

The Ace of cups can indicate that a love connection – whether it be a romantic connection or that of a parent and child, takes priority above work, finances, and projects.  It is also the card of “good vibes,” in friendships and camaraderie and love.   A card of new beginnings, The Ace of Cups is “pregnant with possibilities, and can sometimes denote an actual pregnancy.

The Many Faces of The Ace of Cups

The reversal, or shadow side, of the Ace of cups demonstrates self-love and reminds us that before we can love others, we first need to love ourselves.  Reversal can indicate fertility issues, blockages in creativity, insecurity, doubt and feeling unable to trust the people you should be trusting.  The shadow side can also indicate feeling emotionally drained due to the need to care for another.  It can be a sign of being attacked by emotional vampirism. It is also a time to trust these insecurities and look beyond what you want to see, to what is.   A reversal in a love reading about a new relationship can also be a warning that this is not what you wish it to be. Dependence, jealousy, avarice, or bewilderment. 

Description of the Ace of Cups

Emerging from clouds, a large hand is open with a golden chalice bearing an inverted M resting in the palm.  From the chalice, 5 streams of water flow down to a pond on which waterlilies float.  There are water droplets all around and below the chalice.  Above the chalice is a dove, facing or flying downwards into the chalice, holding within its beak a wafer that is imprinted with the cross and circle. 

Themes of The Ace of Cups

  • Artistic
  • Beginnings
  • Compassion
  • Creativity
  • Emotional
  • Feminine
  • Growth
  • Love
  • New Relationships
  • Water

Aces

Aces, as number 1’s, in every suit always offer an invitation to risk, to begin, to say yes. They are the beginning of a new cycle.  In the suit of cups, you are saying yes to a bigger and better life, joy, relationship.  Aces bring the natural vitality of their suits.  They are aligned with the divine and represent beginnings instincts, and new opportunities.

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Hand – understanding and realization of spiritual force
  • Chalice- subconscious mind
  • Dove- divine love flowing through subconscious to conscious
  • 5 Streams of water- the five senses (sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch) flowing from the subconscious mind
  • Pond with waterlilies – the awakening of the human spirit
  • W or Inverted M – The ambiguity of water, mercurial and changing, subconscious. 

Herbs for The Ace of Cups

  • Caraway – incites passion while providing protection, helps establish loving bond
  • Cinquefoil – Balance; The five points of the leaf represent love, money, health, power, and wisdom
  • Daisy- abundance, joy, happiness, transformation
  • Damiana – stimulates a healthy libido; enables us to be more open, and connected within ourselves and with others
  • Pine – rebirth, wisdom

Questions that the Ace of Cups asks us

  • Is there new relationship energy around you right now – be it romantic, or even friendships, and if so, how can you honor that energy?
  • How can you focus more on self-care and self-love in your day-to-day life?

That is the Ace of Cups, fresh and shiny with euphoric new beginnings.  Wishing you a week of basking in the beauty that new brings to your life.  Please leave comments, ask questions, or reach out for a reading. Thank you for reading and please join me next week for the 2 of Cups.