This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

Eight of Cups Keywords

UPRIGHT: disappointment  | abandonment | moving on

REVERSED: indecision | trying again | drifting

Eight of Cups Description

The Eight of Cups features a man departing from eight cups, with their arrangement suggesting an absence, indicating that something is missing in his quest for emotional satisfaction. This visual cue, along with the man's departure, underscores feelings of discontent and the need to seek a deeper sense of fulfillment. His back is turned to the cups, symbolizing a decision to leave behind what no longer serves his emotional needs, despite the sense of loss or disappointment involved.

The river near him reflects his emotional journey, while the mountains ahead signify the challenges of this chosen path, highlighting its difficulty yet acknowledging its necessity for achieving lasting happiness. The moonlit scene suggests the journey is undertaken covertly or quietly, possibly indicating an element of escape or avoidance in his actions. This card thus represents a poignant moment of transition, where the pursuit of a more authentic and fulfilling emotional state necessitates difficult choices and personal sacrifice.

NOTE: The tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider-Waite deck and Decoding The Cards

Wishing For A Deeper Tarot Connection?

Decoding The Cards goes further than keywords and traditional interprations by providing exercises for each card in the tarot.

The exercises this book are designed to challenge you to delve deeper into the meanings of each card, as well as consider your own personal experiences in relation to the traditional meanings.

Eight of Cups Upright

The Eight of Cups often appears in a reading when you’re experiencing disappointment about a situation and are ready to walk away. Perhaps everything started out wonderfully, but at this point things haven’t turned out the way you expected and it’s not bringing you joy anymore. Now is the time to put the this situation behind you and move on toward something new.


The Eight of Cups indicates that it is wiser to walk away from a situation that is not bringing inner satisfaction rather than waiting for it to improve. 


The Eight of Cups ultimately provides an opportunity for growth, change, and a chance to pursue those things in life that bring contentment and joy. It’s time to take action instead of putting up with a situation that isn’t filling your cup.

Eight of Cups Reversed

The Eight of Cups reversed can signify an internal conflict between your head and your heart. You may find yourself struggling to make a decision — whether to stay in an unsatisfying situation or to walk away from it. 


On the other hand, the Eight of Cups reversed may indicate that you’re avoiding making any decisions at all and continuously floating from one thing to another without ever finding true satisfaction or fulfillment. If this is the case, it’s essential to take some time to assess what really makes you happy in life and then set goals around that. 


Ultimately, the Eight of Cups reversed is a reminder to listen to your own intuition and heart for answers rather than blindly following advice from others. You know deep inside what’s right for you — so trust that instinct and act accordingly.

Got questions? Or can't find what you’re looking for? 

Cart

No more products available for purchase