The Eight of Cups tarot card represents abandonment and letting go. Have you chosen (or been forced) to leave a relationship, friendship, home, or job behind?
The Eight of Cups card predicts this kind of loss and usually appears in readings where strong emotions are present.
This Minor Arcana card also signifies travel, so you may have a journey ahead of you. Many times, when faced with change, our instinct is to hold on tightly.
The Eight of Cups offers a gentle reminder that letting go and accepting what is, can be a much easier and healthier alternative.
EIGHT OF CUPS KEY FACTS
Before we dive deeper into the upright- and reversed Eight of Cups card meaning, and the most important card combinations, below is a quick overview of the keywords, numbers, elements, and signs that are connected to this Cups card.
| Upright | Abandonment, travel, end of a relationship, letting go |
| Reversed | Scared to move on, stagnant, faking happiness |
| Yes or No | No |
| Number | 8 |
| Element | Water |
| Planet | Neptune |
| Astrological Sign | Pisces |
EIGHT OF CUPS TAROT CARD DESCRIPTION
To fully understand the Eight of Cups tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism of this Cups card.
The Eight of Cups tarot card depicts a man walking away from eight golden goblets. His back facing the cups, he walks with a tall staff, representing wisdom and knowledge.
It seems like the person is tired of those cups and is now setting out to find a higher purpose or new adventures.
Ahead of him are mountains and barren lands. The geographic depiction is important since it represents new obstacles to come and fresh things to explore.
The Eight of Cups urges us to push forward once we have left something behind. Bigger and better adventures are surely in store.
It also shows the willingness to detach oneself from others so that one can work on self-improvement, self-understanding, inner meaning, and spiritual growth.
EIGHT OF CUPS TAROT CARD MEANINGS
The Eight Cups upright tarot card represents letting go, walking away, and possibly ending a relationship or connection in tarot reading.
Although the future may be uncertain when once you decide to do this, know that it will be worth it. In the long run, you can’t afford to have anyone in your life or on your team that doesn’t support you.
Even if you are the one who has been left, the message here can be positive. The only way to elevate to the next level is to leave the current one and stop faking happiness.
Could a mountain climber ever reach the peak if he refused to take the first step?
Money and Career Meaning
If the Eight of Cups in an upright position appears in a career reading, it is indicative that you might exit your current job and take a new career path.
Are you feeling unfulfilled or unhappy in your professional life? The cards tell us that you would do well to go out and search for new opportunities, possibly in a field that is different from the one you are in currently.
In a financial sense, the Eight of Cups denotes that you should be mindful of new investments. In other words, be aware of every aspect of your financial handling.
If you aren’t happy with how your money is being invested or don’t like the terms, don’t be afraid to walk away. Your priority should be to do whatever is best for your financial well-being, not the material world.
Love and Relationships Meaning
In a love spread, the Eight of Cups suggests abandonment or feeling left behind/isolated. You may be dealing with the fear that your partner will leave you because of your low self-esteem.
Perhaps a previous relationship failed you or your parents split up while you were at a young age. If this resonates with you, now might be an excellent time for you to get some help processing and overcoming your problems.
If you’re the one leaving the relationship, take this card as a sign that this is the start of a new chapter. Being dumped or choosing to leave someone you once loved can be painful, but it can also be a new beginning and true happiness.
With singles, the 8 of Cups tarot card shows that one is feeling lonely. You may be afraid to start a new relationship due to abandonment issues or past heartache.
The best thing you can do is remind yourself not to assume everyone will hurt you simply because you have been wronged in the past.
These problems could be preventing you from starting a new relationship or maintaining a healthy one. You should look to corresponding cards to determine which situation applies to you.
Health and Spirituality Meaning
In a health reading, the Eight of Cups illustrates that you are spending too much time focusing on negativity in your life. As a result, your mental health could be taking a hit.
If you are having issues with feelings of anxiety or depression, it is best to get help sooner rather than later.
Meditation, self-analysis, seeing a therapist, and online support groups can help you through tough times if you’re willing to make yourself a priority.
Eight of Cups Reversed
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the 8 of Cups tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
The Eight of Cups reversed represents being afraid to move on. When this card comes up in a spread, you need to take a close look at your relationships.
Are you remaining in an unhappy relationship because you are afraid to walk away? If this resonates with you, you will do well to find the strength to end this relationship whether it be personal or business-related.
Continuing down the same dead-end road stops one from finding the right path to travel. Have courage and believe that you deserve better and that more joyous things are awaiting you if you dare to go on this spiritual journey.
If the above doesn’t resonate with you, the 8 of Cups reversed can also indicate a state of confusion about which path you’re supposed to take. This usually is the result of not knowing what is best for you and being in a disappointing situation.
Consider all the options and maybe even write down the pros and cons. This will definitely help you to make the right decision and move away from the state of confusion.
Eight of Cups: Yes or No
The Eight of Cups has the central theme of leaving a bad situation in the dust. It stands for the end of relationships, feelings of sadness or loneliness, and turning away.
Because the overall mood of this card is a sad one, the answer in a yes or no reading to your question is no.
The only exception is if you are asking a question related to leaving a relationship or job. In that case, cutting ties may be your best bet.
EIght of Cups and Astrology
The Eight of Cups is related to the zodiac sign Pisces. This sign is associated with spiritual healing, introspection, and even a bit of self-martyrdom at times. Pisces is ruled by Neptune.
Important Card Combinations
Letting go and abandonment are the major themes of the 8 of Cups.
However, when combined with other cards the meaning of the minor arcana card can change, like becoming a leader, moving to a new city, or making the world a better place by using your talents.
Below you can find the most important card combinations of the Eight of Cups.
Eight of Cups and The Emperor
This card combination with the Emperor suggests that you will soon find fulfillment in self-employment.
If you have been considering pouring more time into your own business or creating something new, now is a great time to do so!
The 8 of Cups and the Emperor ensure that you will be successful if you choose to take the plunge.
EIGHT OF CUPS AND THE SUN
This duo is indicative of becoming a leader. Have you been eyeing a supervisory role at work? The card combination with the Sun tells us that you have a good chance of scoring the job.
Have a conversation with your management team about the role that you could play in helping manage your coworkers. Be sure to showcase your talents and highlight the positive things that you can bring to the table as a leader.
Your hard work is about to pay off but to reap these benefits, you must speak up!
EIGHT OF CUPS AND SIX OF WANDS
When the 8 of Cups and the Six of Wands appear in a spread together, it is time to use your talents to make the world a better place.
Perhaps you have a knack for cooking. Consider donating your skills to a local soup kitchen to help those in need.
Although the impact of this action may seem small, your act of kindness will spread around to others and has the potential to create a great ripple effect.
EIGHT OF CUPS AND KNIGHT OF WANDS
The 8 of Cups and the Knight of Wands warrant a move to a new city. More specifically, to a place that will make your dreams come true.
If you are an aspiring musician or artist, you might consider moving to a new home that is famous for these professions such as Nashville or Los Angeles.
Don’t let your self-doubt get the best of you. If you are willing to put in the necessary work, the cards tell us that you have a great chance at success.
This may not happen overnight, but you will learn valuable skills such as negotiation and marketing yourself along the way.
Once all is said and done, you will be able to look back on your journies and be grateful for these learning experiences that you went through.
MY FAVORITE EIGHT OF CUPS CARDS
The description of the 8 of Cups in this article is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. But that doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many stunning decks out there! Therefore, I added some of my favorite Eight of Cups cards to this article.
EIGHT OF CUPS IN A READING
That’s all for the 8 of Cups card meaning! If you have pulled this card in your spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life?
If so, just remember that letting go and maybe ending a relationship, friendship, or connection, can open new doors. The only way to elevate to the next level is to leave the current one.
Wille says
I think that these cards have appeared to reflect your anxiousness and fear in regards to a romantic relationship with this person. I think it’s important to look at why you are asking these questions and where the worries come from. Is the relationship worth it if you are anxious and stressed about the other person?
Wille xxxx
Wille says
Hi Mollyna, thanks for your question! In a love spread, the Eight of Cups usually means either abandonment or being left behind. Whether the Five of Cups indicates that the person still did not get over a past relationship. For me, this card combination is about moving on and leaving your past to the past – where it belongs.
Hope this helps!
Love,
Wille ????
Wille says
Hi Cris, thanks for your question. I would say that this combination of cards indicates that you might feel stuck in your current position/financial situation, and it is time to move on: to look for another job (possibly in a different field), start a new business, or invest. Knight of Pentacles warns you to take things slowly and plan well. If you listen to your intuition and take the new endeavor seriously, success awaits you ✨
Hope this helped!
Best,
Wille
Wille says
Hi Liz, thanks for your question! The Eight of Cups card indicates letting go of something that has been preventing you from moving forward in your career. The following card, the Knight of Cups, is telling you that you will have luck, and, if you have applied recently for a job, you will get a positive response soon ????. The final card, the Queen of Cups, indicates that your new job will probably be fulfilling and will be very favorable for your emotional well-being ???? So when applying, you probably should remember that your happiness comes before money.
Hope this helps!
Love,
Wille ✨