Loss and regret weigh heavy, but not all is gone. This card highlights grief, disappointment, or dwelling on the past. Shifting focus can reveal what still remains.

Physical Appearance

The Five of Cups typically depicts a figure cloaked in black, standing before three overturned cups, with two upright cups behind them. The person’s focus on the spilled cups signifies loss, regret, and sorrow, while the upright cups behind them suggest that not all is lost. This card embodies grief and disappointment, but also the potential for recovery and renewal if one shifts their perspective.

Also Known As: Five of Goblets, Chalices, or Vessels.

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Upright Meaning

Keywords: Loss, Disappointment, Regret, Mourning

In an upright position, the Five of Cups represents feelings of loss, regret, or disappointment. It suggests you may be focused on what has gone wrong or what you’ve lost, rather than recognizing what remains. The Five of Goblets encourages acknowledging grief while also recognizing the hope and opportunities that still exist. This card serves as a reminder to eventually shift your focus to what can still be salvaged or rebuilt.

• Love: Reflects heartbreak or regret in relationships. Encourages processing emotions while considering possibilities for healing or reconciliation. For singles, it may point to lingering pain from past relationships, preventing you from moving forward.
• Career: Suggests setbacks or disappointments at work. Advises learning from mistakes and recognizing new opportunities that may emerge from challenges.
• Finance: Indicates financial loss or regret. Encourages reassessing the situation, acknowledging mistakes, and focusing on steps for recovery and improvement.

Yes or No: Upright, the Five of Goblets is a cautious "No," reflecting disappointment and loss. It encourages focusing on what remains positive rather than dwelling on setbacks.

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Reversed Meaning

Keywords: Healing, Release, Forgiveness, Optimism

Reversed, the Five of Cups signifies a shift toward healing and renewed optimism. It indicates you are beginning to move past grief or disappointment and are ready to embrace hope and new opportunities. The Five of Chalices in reverse highlights emotional recovery and the strength to rebuild, while cautioning against rushing into new situations without reflection.

• Love: Reflects emotional recovery and potential for reconciliation or new beginnings. Singles may feel ready to let go of past heartbreak and embrace new romantic possibilities.
• Career: Suggests moving past professional setbacks and focusing on new opportunities. Encourages approaching your career with renewed determination and resilience.
• Finance: Indicates financial recovery and progress. Reflects a willingness to move past mistakes and focus on strategies for growth and stability.

Yes or No: Reversed, the Five of Chalices is a "Yes," signaling healing, renewed optimism, and opportunities for recovery and growth.

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Timeframes

The Five of Cups is associated with a timeframe of 5 months. It reflects a period of processing emotional challenges or dealing with past disappointments. This time can be significant for emotional healing and shifting your perspective toward optimism and renewal.

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Five of Cups as Feelings

This card represents feelings of regret or sorrow. Someone may be focused on loss or emotional pain, reflecting on what has gone wrong rather than what remains. Their feelings are centered on grief and reflection, with an emphasis on what might have been missed or lost.

• How Someone Feels About You: They may view you as a source of disappointment or emotional challenge. Their feelings could be tied to regret or unfulfilled expectations in your relationship, seeing you as someone who evokes sorrow or reflection on past difficulties. This suggests a regretful and sorrowful perspective on your connection.

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Who Is "The Five of Cups" In Your Life?

The Five of Goblets may represent someone who is deeply reflective or focused on past losses. They might struggle to see the positives or opportunities in their life, instead dwelling on regret or sorrow. While they can inspire introspection and emotional depth, they may also resist moving forward or recognizing what remains.

To work effectively with someone embodying the Five of Goblets, offer gentle support and encourage them to shift their focus toward hope and renewal. Provide empathy while helping them see the opportunities that still exist.

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Worried About Drawing the Five of Cups?

Drawing the Five of Cups is a reminder to process grief and disappointment while keeping an eye on the opportunities that remain. It encourages you to acknowledge loss but also to look toward recovery and renewal.

“I release regret and embrace the possibilities that still surround me.”

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Related Cards

The Five of Cups connects with other cards that explore themes of loss, emotional healing, and shifting perspectives. Explore these relationships:

• Three of Swords: Reflects heartbreak and emotional pain, emphasizing the need for healing and acceptance.
• Ten of Swords: Highlights the ending of a difficult chapter, encouraging a focus on recovery and new beginnings.
• The Star: Represents hope and renewal, offering a positive counterbalance to this card's sorrowful energy.
• Eight of Cups: Reflects leaving behind what no longer serves you, aligning with this card's theme of moving past regret.

Click on any card to explore its meaning and how it complements the Five of Chalices’ themes of loss and renewal.

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Frequently Asked Questions