Four of Cups Key Facts#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Four of Cups tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, career, and life, below you can find a quick overview of the most important facts connected to this Cups card.
Upright | Depression, missed opportunities, feeling stuck |
Reversed | Passion, taking action, moving forward |
Yes or No | No |
Number | 4 |
Element | Water |
Planet | Moon |
Astrological sign | Cancer |
Four of Cups Tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Four of Cups tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism of this Cups card.
The Four of Cups tarot card depicts a man sitting below a tree with three cups before him. He sits with his arms crossed and his head down, as if in meditation or deep thought.
Beside him, a cloud offers a fourth cup, resembling the one of the Ace of cups, symbolizing a new start.
Although the cloud is right in front of the young man, he either can’t see it or refuses to do so. Just like the tree that is in full leaf, resembling abundant life going on all around him.
If the man on the card were to stand up, he could also see that the sky is blue and the outlook is bright.
The imagery here calls attention to focusing too much on our own reality, thoughts, and perceptions.
Like the man illustrated on this card, we are often so busy focusing on the three cups in front of us, we never notice other options and possibilities.
Four of Cups Tarot Meaning#
The Four of Cups in the upright position represents missing out on opportunities, depression, and losing motivation in life.
Do you look around and feel that where you are and what you have is not enough? Has your life become stagnant, and nothing seems to bring you joy? Or perhaps you’ve been faced with financial problems?
The Four of Cups tells you that to get your stagnant situation moving again, you first have to evaluate your attitude and accept your current situation.
As Eckhart Tolle says: ” Accept, then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your life.”
Although it may be tempting to withdraw inside yourself, you must avoid this. If you open your eyes and look around you, you will be able to find a way through this.
Just like on the Four of Cups card, the solution can be right in front of you, but only if you’re willing to see it. If not, you risk missing the window of opportunity.
Money and Career Meaning#
The Four of Cups in a career spread denotes a loss of motivation at work. Are you having trouble focusing on your duties because you are unhappy at your job?
This card encourages you to be thankful for the fact that you are employed and to focus on the positive things. Having a career that you aren’t crazy about is better than being unemployed.
If you use this energy to channel into doing your job better, you could find that you get a promotion or a job offer to do something that interests you more.
The Four of Cups is all about opportunity, so be sure that you are keeping your eyes peeled for real opportunities and assess each one on its merits. A positive attitude may help you respond when one arises.
Love and Relationships Meaning#
In a love and relationship spread, the Four of Cups can call attention to recurring frustration or conflict in a relationship.
If this person has wronged you, now is the time to come up with a resolution or walk away. Try to spend less time focusing on the negative and talk about the good things that happen in your relationship each day.
Choosing to express gratitude and love daily may support connection, depending on the relationship and both partners' participation.
If you are single, the Four of Cups in a love context can symbolize renewed openness to connection; it does not promise a new relationship. You must be mindful, though, of the attention that you are paying to this cause.
If you spend too much time believing that you’ll never meet the right person, you could miss your shot. Be calm and confident knowing that you have many great things to offer in a relationship, and focus on taking care of you.
A happy person who is confident in themselves attracts others who are also secure.
Health and Spirituality Meaning#
The Four of Cups in a health reading can symbolize withdrawal or low mood, but it cannot diagnose depression or identify a physical or mental cause.
This can be frustrating, especially when you feel like you want to ‘snap out of it but can’t. Although focusing on gratitude may not make you physically whole, it can help you feel better.
Comparing your difficulties with someone else's can be dismissive. Acknowledge what you are experiencing and consider appropriate support.
To improve your physical, mental, and spiritual outlook, consider gratitude journaling instead of focusing on negative thoughts.
Four of Cups Reversed#
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Four of Cups tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
The Four of Cups reversed can symbolize noticing new options after a period of feeling trapped, without predicting when that feeling will end.
Choosing to make a constructive change may create more room and perspective. If you have been struggling to find joy, consider support that fits your circumstances because the card alone cannot establish an outcome.
Four of Cups: Yes or No#
The Four of Cups tarot card in a yes or no reading also signifies being held back by negative emotions such as defeat or frustration. It tells us that you have been feeling stagnant and you may have trouble seeing the path you need to take to be happy once again.
The Four of Cups is often read as no-leaning because it symbolizes withdrawal or missed options. Use that as interpretive context, not an instruction to act.
Four of Cups and Astrology#
The Four of Cups is associated with the zodiac sign Cancer: just like the Ace, Two, and Three of Cups. The Cancer personality is loyal, protective, intuitive, and caring, but can also be overly sensitive, moody, and vindictive. Just like the man depicted on the Four of Cups card.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, the planet that governs our emotions, our feelings, and the things that make us feel comforted.
Important Card Combinations#
The Four of Cups doesn’t always represent feeling stuck. Combined with other cards, the meaning of this cup card can change and is more about change, connecting with your Higher Self and setting goals.
Below, you can find the most important Four of Cups card combinations.
Four of Cups and the Fool#
Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unable to control the situations you are in? If the Four of Cups and the Fool appear in a spread together, consider focusing more on meditation as a way to restore joy in your life.
Meditation offers a way to get away from the negativity you feel and ruminating thoughts. This is valuable time that you can set aside to spend time in ‘no thought’ and will help restore inner peace.
Four of Cups and the Emperor#
The Four of Cups and the Emperor signify being bored with routine. It is time to change things and try something new. Try waking up thirty minutes earlier in the morning to go on a short walk or setting more time aside each night to do things you enjoy.
What hobby have you always wanted to explore? Is there a place nearby that you would like to visit?
Focusing on chosen priorities may change how you respond to sadness or worry, but it does not guarantee that those feelings will disappear.
Four of Cups and the Chariot#
This duo confirms the desire for a better life. If you are considering a move, evaluate its practical effects on you and your family rather than using the cards to decide. The Four of Cups with the Chariot can symbolize seeking a new direction, but it cannot predict the mental-health effect of a move.
This might be a physical change of scenery or connected to a relationship or job. If you take time to connect with your Higher Self, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Four of Cups and Eight of Swords#
When the Four of Cups and the Eight of Swords appear in unison, you need to stop doubting yourself.
Perhaps you have felt that you aren’t smart enough to get that job you want, or you don’t feel qualified to move up in the one you have.
Banish these thoughts from your mind and remember: you are capable of anything that you set your mind.
What is your greatest desire? Set your focus on this thing and make a list to accomplish your goals. The sky is the limit!
My Favorite Four of Cups Cards#
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it doesn’t mean that I use other decks too.
And there are so many beautiful decks out there! I can lose myself browsing and searching the web for beautiful tarot cards.
Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Four of Cups tarot cards.
The Modern Way Tarot 
Matilda Marin via Behance.net
Four of Cups in a Reading#
That’s all for the Four of Cups tarot card meaning. Although the card represents feeling stuck and stagnant, it also tells you that sometimes all you need is in front of you.
Just remember to look at the big picture and let go of fear and doubt. This will allow you to make a choice and move forward!
If you’ve pulled the Four of Cups in your tarot reading, I’m really curious if the meaning made sense to you. Just leave a comment below.
