Eight of Cups
Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meanings
UPRIGHT: Disappointment, abandonment, withdrawal, escapism.
Upright Eight Of Cups
When the Eight of Cups shows up in a Tarot reading, you may feel compelled to walk away from a disappointing situation. It could mean turning your back on an unfulfilling relationship, job, career path, living arrangement or creative project that was once a source of great happiness to you but now only brings you pain. You have invested yourself emotionally but, despite your best efforts, are disappointed; it hasn’t turned out the way you had expected it to, and you realise that you are no longer getting anything out of this situation. Now, the only choice is to put it behind you and move on with your life, even if it brings you sadness as you say goodbye.
The Eight of Cups suggests you sense that something is missing, particularly on an emotional or spiritual level, and instead of waiting around for things to get better, you know you need to leave that unfulfilling situation. It may not make sense to others because on the face, it looks as if you have everything you had wished for – but, deep down, you know it’s not serving your Highest Good, and it’s time for you to let it go and move on.
The Eight of Cups can be a sign that you are trying to escape a problematic emotional situation or avoiding some major psychological issues and concerns. The Cups in the foreground represent emotional issues that remain real and present in your life. Yet you are trying to pretend as if they no longer exist, refusing to deal with them. You may repress your emotions or refuse to have open conversations with others about what’s happening, instead preferring to pretend as if everything is okay, or avoiding the scene altogether.
The Eight of Cups invites you to ask yourself what brings you joy, contentment and fulfilment on a deeper level. Without it, you might pursue goals that fail to give you the satisfaction you’re seeking. For example, you may think being in a long-term relationship is what you want, but when you manifest it, you realise that it’s not just the long-term relationship you want but a deep soul connection with someone. If that’s not there, then the relationship will not fulfil your needs no matter how long you stay together. So, if you find yourself repeatedly in these Eight of Cups situations where you have no choice but to walk away, spend time exploring what will bring you true happiness and realign your goals with your values.
Upright Love Meaning:
Leaving unhappy relationship, abandonment issues
Take some time to ask yourself whether your relationship is one that you are happy with. The 8 of Cups tarot love meaning indicates that there is often some soul-searching that needs to be done about whether your partnership is one that truly fulfills you. Can you imagine spending the rest of your life with this person? Do they encourage you to be your best self? Do they encourage you to grow? Or instead are you with them because you are scared of being alone, or going back into the dating scene again? This is unfair for both you and your partner. It takes a lot of courage to look honestly within and answer these questions, as well as to walk away from a life that the two of you have built together.
Upright Career Meaning:
Leaving unfulfilling job, taking vacation, escapism
The eight of cups in a career tarot reading can signal several things. Since the card in a general sense signals walking away and leaving something behind, it could be as simple as you taking a vacation from work, or as stressful as walking away from an unfulfilling job. If work has been especially draining recently, just a little escapism might help you feel refreshed. If you’re trying to make the decision about whether or not to leave your job, remember that sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses and move on. If you know how to make the most of any situation and make responsible decisions, it will offer you an exit to bad situations in favor of better ones.
Upright Finances Meaning:
Choosing happiness over financial security
Sometimes in order to make the right choices for us, we need to leave what we built behind. The eight of cups can suggest that you may have to leave behind some of your financial security in order to build a life that is right for you. Take this as a chance to attend to your finances before you make the big decision. Pay attention to how much you spend and on what. Be cautious of big expenditures at the current moment. You might find that you do not have as much funds to spend on them as you think you do. This card may just be a warning to plan ahead.
Reversed Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meanings
REVERSED: Trying one more time, indecision, aimless drifting, walking away.
Reversed Eight Of Cups
The reversed Eight of Cups raises the question, “Do I stay or do I go?” You may be caught between walking away from a disappointing situation or trying one last time to make things better. But the real question is, 'Can the circumstances improve, or is it a lost cause?' Check in with your intuition to understand whether you should give this situation one more chance, or if you should release and let go.
If the reversed Eight of Cups is paired with more passive cards such as the Hanged Man or the Four of Swords, then it may be a sign that you wish to try one more time. However, if this card couples with a more active card such as the Eight of Wands or Chariot, it may be time to move on and pursue a different path.
The reversed Eight of Cups invites you to listen to your heart about your next course of action. Others may have an opinion, but it comes down to what’s important to you. Only you know whether this situation is serving you and if there is hope for the future. Be mindful of what you want and then check in to see if this move is in alignment with your goals and dreams.
At times, the reversed Eight of Cups can show that you are drifting from one place to the next because you never feel satisfied with staying in one place. “The grass is always greener on the other side.” If this resonates, ask yourself what makes you happy and how you can design your life in alignment with your deepest contentment.
Reversed Love Meaning:
Staying in a bad relationship, fear of being alone
With the reversed 8 of Cups tarot love meaning, your gut may be telling you that you need to leave your partnership, but there is something that holds you back. It is important to engage this and question that fear. It is so very difficult to give up what has been built, the time and emotions and energy that we have invested into another person, but sometimes one must be wise enough to leave something that truly isn’t working behind. You’ll have to work out whether the desire to leave comes from the relationship truly reaching its end, or whether it is still salvageable. Give yourself time to get a clear head about what you need to do, and address whatever it is that prevents you from moving on.
Reversed Career Meaning:
Accepting unfulfilling job, fear of change
When the eight of cups is reversed, you may be finding it difficult, or even downright refusing to do walk away from something out of fear. You may feel that you are in an unfulfilling career, which you have the power to change. You can choose to either accept a role that offers you no emotional reward, creative outlet, or opportunity for growth, or make the necessary changes to look elsewhere. Do not be afraid of leaving something behind if it is no longer serving you. This task is true for those who own their own business as well. If you are holding on to your business or job out of a sense of duty or fear, now is the time to let go.
Reversed Finances Meaning:
Choosing financial security over happiness
The reversed eight of cups signals that you may find it difficult to leave behind some of your financial security in pursuit of something better for you. You may be holding onto a job that does not serve you out of fear that you won’t find a better paying job elsewhere. This concern is valid, but bold decisions and risks are sometimes required. You’ll need to consider how much your happiness is truly worth. Set aside a little bit of time each day to look for openings that might meet your economic needs while also serving your emotional ones.