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