Four of cups
Upright Meaning
In this card, we have a contemplative figure sitting beneath a tree and prevalently sour tones (lime yellow, lime green, blue, red and black). There are three cups in front of the figure, and the fourth is in the air being given to the sitting man, but he is not having it.
He seems to be in deep contemplation about something that brings him displeasure and these four cups seem to be not enough for him. The background is pretty empty aside from the tree the sitting figure is leaning on and the grass beneath him.
The cup that is levitating in the air, from the cloud, could be a representation of the Ace of Cups – a very positive and aspiring card, but the figure in this card doesn’t want to accept it, thus the Four of Cups came to represent sorrow, sadness and displeasure.
Four of Cups Keywords [Upright]
Four of Cups Meaning [Upright]
Four of Cups alludes to the reader/asker being apathetic and ungrateful about something. There are a lot of blessings in his/her life, but the person is not satisfied with what he’s got and it wants more, and that feeling of wanting more creates an unfulfilled desire and that is represented by the Four of Cups
If the person is not careful, this card can be the intro to depression and obsessive thoughts that lead to self-destructive patterns and behaviors.
This card is connected with Moon in Cancer and many Water spirits that are tied to this card are of a melancholic temperament, sad and introverted in nature. This is why this card should be considered a caution – it’s okay to be sad two days in a row, but three days in row signals that something is wrong on a deeper level.
Key Points – Love [Upright]
- When this card shows up in a love reading it’s a sign that either one of the two partners (or both of them) are not satisfied in the relationship. They want something more and they feel as if their emotional needs aren’t met
- This card is not a card of separation and breakup, for there is still time and chance for something to be done about the relationship, all is not lost, but all is not well either.
Key Points – Money [Upright]
- When it comes to a money reading, this is a clear insight that the reader/asker is disproportionally dissatisfied with his financial situation.
- It’s a sign that the person is comparing themselves with others and unrealistic goals and images in his mind, when s/he in fact, has blessings and decent financial status, it’s the boredom that is the problem, not actual lack of money
Key Points - Career [Upright]
- When this card shows up in a career reading it represents the lack of creativity and attention/focus when it comes to one’s goals and aspirations.
- The card is a warning against wasting one’s resources and creative power on useless moods instead of being productive and concentrating on a positive outcome. It’s a reminder to be thankful for what you’ve got, and to approach manifesting process with positive feelings rather than with apathy and negativity.
Reversed Meaning
Four of Cups Keywords [Reverse]
- Self-pity
- Depression
- Invulnerability
- Avarice
- Illusions
- Empty promises
- Feeling isolated
- Being forgotten
Four of Cups Meaning [Reverse]
When the Four of Cups shows up reversed it foretells of depressive states that include a lot of self-pity induced by coveting what is not yours and probably not even meant for you to have.
It’s a card that indicates to the reader/asker that they need to meditate in order to gain clarity and self-awareness in order to transmute their feelings and moods into something more productive and positive.
Key Points - Love [Reversed]
- When it shows up in love, it signifies that one of the partners feels forgotten and lost; it can be a strong indicator that the relationship you’re in is not fit or right for you, that something has to be changed in order for you to flourish emotionally
- It’s not a card of breakup, but it is signaling that there’s inner work that needs to be done; a good idea is to go to (couple’s) therapy, when this card shows up in order for you to locate the root cause of your moods and feelings, and work on it in a productive and active way.
Key Points - Money [Reversed]
- When this card shows up reversed in a money reading it signifies avarice and can even be an omen of (failed) theft. The reader/asker feels left without options, and from that frustration and self-pity, some ill and foolish plans can spring.
- The message is: you need to move and groove in order to change your circumstances and find yourself in better surroundings.
Key Points - Career [Reversed]
- When it shows up in a career reading, this card foretells about stagnation, empty promises and illusion about one’s own success and grandeur
- This card is a message for you to watch out to whom you lend your trust and resources, and to forgive and let go if negative emotions and anger from betrayal are weighing heavy on your heart and stopping you from manifesting your goals and dreams.
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