The Five of Cups Tarot Card. Standing alone, shrouded in a dark cloakn, stands a figure. At his feet are 5 cups: three in front of him, which have spilled, their contents puddling on the ground beneath them, and two behind him, fully upright, and presumably still full. While the cups before him are spilled, behind him are two full ones…he has only to turn and shift perspective to see that he still has plenty. In front of him we see a river, and on a bluff on the other side of the river a lone fortress or dwelling. There is a bridge with two arches spanning the river a short distance to the right of the figure.
The Five of Cups

Disenchantment, whether it is a minor disappointment or a major shock, is the signal that things are moving into transition in our lives.

William Throsby Bridges

Overview and common meaning of The Five of Cups   

The Five of Cups often shows up along with the realization that things are not as you thought they were, and you find yourself disillusioned.  It is a great reminder that it is time to count your blessings, get over it and move on.  Removing the blinders of illusion is not always a bad thing.  Build a bridge into a brighter future that you want to see.  It is always a great opportunity to take some quiet time to determine what the lessons were in the situation and how you can shift that moving forward.  Don’t let the seeming bad things in life distract you from all the good that remains.

Some alternative names in varying decks are Hope, Re-adjustment, Warrior-Woman.

Common Meanings

In a work-related reading, you may be feeling deflated, or that you have let yourself or others down.  It is time to glean what lesson you can from the situation, realize this is temporary,  and move on.  If you are seeking work and are not having luck, take heart, the right thing will appear for you.

In a love related reading, if you are seeking love, you may find yourself temporarily disappointed as something that seemed full of promise is not quite what you had originally thought or hoped. It is also a good opportunity to do a bit of self-analysis and ask yourself if you are expecting too much too soon.  In an established relationship the Five of Cups can sometimes indicate that you are nearing a point where you choose to go separate ways, at least temporarily. It can also serve as a metaphorical separation; that of letting go of the illusions of what you thought something was so that you may clearer see what it actually is.      

The Many Faces of The Five of Cups

The shadow side – or reversal – of the five of cups can indicate being stuck in old trauma and patterns, becoming cynical and jaded.  It can also indicate that you have done the work, forgiven yourself and others, have moved past this darkest time, and things are starting to turn around for you.  It could be a sign that you are ready to reconnect with old friends and loved ones after a period of isolation.

Description of the Five of Cups

Standing alone, shrouded in a dark cloak with shoulders hunched in seeming dejection, stands a figure.  At his feet are 5 cups: three in front of him, which have spilled, their contents puddling on the ground beneath them, and two behind him, fully upright, and presumably still full.  While the cups before him are spilled, behind him are two full ones…he has only to turn and shift perspective to see that he still has plenty.   In front of him we see a river, and on a bluff on the other side of the river a lone fortress or dwelling.  There is a bridge with two arches spanning the river a short distance to the right of the figure. 

Themes of The Five of Cups

  • Disenchantment
  • Duplicity
  • Forgiveness
  • Frustration
  • Grieving
  • Resentment

The Number 5

The number 5 is a holy number in many of earths religions: – in Christianity, the 5 holy wounds of Christ; Hinduism – The five elements; Islam – the Five Pillars of Islam.  In numerology 5 is the card of curiosity of the spiritual nature, but also that of imbalance and upset. Five is the number of humanity and a reminder that we all experience disillusionment at some point in our lives.

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Black cloak – shrouded, surrounded by the need to mourn something
  • River- separation, a barrier
  • Bridge – the means of crossing that separation and returning to home
  • Spilled cups – past or present loss
  • Upright cups – There remains plenty of support and love
  • Fortress/dwelling – stability, happiness.  In the Five of Cups it is across the river, a seeming barrier to achieving the sanctuary of home.

Herbs for The Five of Cups

  • Bee Balm – calms nervous system and uplifts the heart
  • Borage – Courage; lifts spirit and gladdens the heart
  • Hawthorn – protection and openness healer of heartache and grief
  • Linden – calming heart tonic; protective, comforting, through times of grief
  • Mimosa – Sadness, loss, heartache, grief.  Can help when mourning the things you are letting go from your life. 

Questions that the Five of Cups asks us

  • Are you grieving a situation that is not as you had hoped, and if so, are you neglecting to notice all the blessings that are still in abundance all around you?

Do you feel like you are coming out of a long period of introspection, and what lessons and visions are you bringing forth into this new reality?

That is the Five of Cups.  Wishing you a week in which, as illusion falls away, the reality of blessings become clear. Thank you for reading, and as always, please leave comments, ask questions, or reach out for a reading.  Please join me next week for the Six of Cups!