Five of Cups
Five of Cups
The Five of Cups is a card that signifies difficulty, loss, and the challenges of dealing with that loss. The figure in the card wears a black cloak in which he hides his face in apparent despair. At his feet are five cups, three of which have fallen and spilled onto the ground and the other two behind his back which remain standing. Ahead of him a powerful river flows between himself and a castle or home in the distance. To his right is a bridge which can lead him to the security of the house across the river. Despite the fact that this card has a strong indication of loss and tribulation, there is a positive aspect that must be considered. Is your cup half full or half empty?
The Five of Cups represent unfulfillment or non-attainment of expected results. You may lose something, though it is insignificant in itself. Perhaps relations with friends or lovers have weak foundations. You'll be completely burned out and will want to quit or give up. You've done enough and won't want to do anymore. You and a relative (or very dear friend) will soon part, and you will be very sad. You want a friend or lover to return, or a REAL relationship based on tenderness and mutual enchantment. Nothing less. Something will replace or sublimate the emptiness you feel.The Five of Cups is about loss. On this card, we see a figure draped in black and covered in grief. He dominates the card so much that it is hard to look beyond him. The Five of Cups refers to that time when the pain of a loss is most acute. This man is looking only at the over-turned cups in front of him. For now, he cannot acknowledge the two cups that are still standing. Later, when he has healed somewhat, he will be able to see all that remains.
In readings, the Five of Cups can alert you to the possibility of a loss and its associated emotions - sorrow, regret, denial. The loss could be great or small. It could be tangible (money, possession, relationship, work), or intangible (dream, opportunity, prospect, reputation). You may already know what this card represents, but, if not, use it as a warning to help you avoid a loss, or at least reduce its toll.
You may feel discouraged by this card, but it does have a positive side. Every loss opens new possibilities for growth because every loss initiates change. Loss hurts because it is our emotional resistance to change. No matter how much we accept intellectually that we must go with the flow, if that flow separates us from what we love, our feelings say, "No!"
In a story from Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, the master Hakuin is falsely accused of fathering a child. His reputation in the village is ruined, but he accepts this loss and takes tender care of the child for a year. Suddenly, the real father appears, and Hakuin willingly yields the child to its parents, accepting loss again. We who are not Zen masters may not flow quite so lightly with events, but we can learn from this story. The more we struggle to hold on to what is gone, the more we suffer.
Sorrow, loss of a loved one. Marriage is on verge of breaking up. Disillusionment with life. Possible inheritance, but not as much as expected.
This card pertained to "crying over spilled milk" and pessimism about the future. It often refers to a person who is having difficulty letting go of the past and benefiting from past mistakes. The water spilled from the cups shows that the cause for regret is more emotional than financial. Often, this card relates to a person who habitually dwells on the past, harboring old grievances. Forgiveness and the ability to recover after emotional loss are necessary. Bitter memories from the past continue to obsess this person. Often a great deal of the blame for past actions is placed on himself.
Advise the client to let bygones be bygones. Tell him that hindsight is much clearer than foresight and present-day wisdom is gained from the mistakes of the past. If he can understand that all parties involved were doing the best they could with their awareness at the time, he can forgive himself.
Emotional disappointment, (also in friendship) depression, anger (usually based on past experiences) - all exaggerated. Deep regrets, temporary delay. Loss of harmony, but love is still there. An unexpected reaction to Querent. Loss of relationship, hurt. Card urges you to stop crying and look in another direction for happiness. Get over hurt, and then pick up remaining cups and carry on.
Disappointment. You need to understand rejection and disappointment. You may feel that you must walk away from someone or something. Realize the ways your disappointment gains you experience that can help to ensure future success.
Return of hope, new alliances formed. Loved one could be returning to you. Summon up that courage.The reversed position shows recovery from regret and an acceptance of the past. Now, the person realizes the full implications of the past and appreciates the lessons he learned from the experience. He may even recognize the value of the painful experience in the broader scheme of things in preparing him for later experiences. He is ready to pick up the remaining two cups that are full of the water of emotional growth and go on.
This card is about learning to be open and starting to take risks again. It is a card of a lingering sense of regret, nostalgia and bittersweet memories, but the card itself speaks of being hopeful for the future, getting over whatever you need to get over, and of seeing the sun peek through the clouds once again! If you have suffered a broken romance or marriage, this card signifies an end to the suffering, and a beginning to new loves and relationships, new interests, and new emotional outlets. You are starting to engage with the inspiring, creative and feeling side of life again.
Pluck a rose and carry it to a garden or patch of earth at midnight. Dig a small hole. Say these words five times, "Grief be gone, heart be healed, For all my sorrows buried here." Bury the rose and walk away and don't look back.