Eight of Cups Tarot Card Interpretation

The Eight of Cups tarot card represents the need to move on from an unsatisfactory situation.

Eight of Cups Tarot Card Symbolism

In the Rider-Waite representation of this card, there is a figure that walks away from an intact arrangement of cups. 

The cups have not been scattered in frustration, just abandoned. The character has tasted the content of the cups but he has lost interest now, he leaves, maybe taking one of the cups with him.

He walks away from a sheltered harbor to the unknown but he is ready to direct his energies to a new interest, other challenges or maybe a more meaningful situation. He is ready to go without looking back.

The scene develops under a brooding moon that gives the image a heavy-hearted quality, suggesting a feeling of dissatisfaction, quiet discontent and maybe defeat. 

Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

Keywords: Departure, moving on, disappointment, breaking away, withdrawing

You may have found your situation or relationship disappointing and you finally decide to move on to something more promising. 

You are left with a feeling of emptiness, discontent and defeat. Maybe you decided that what you have been building and fighting for was not worth it after all and you decide to leave it all behind.

This decision can be a liberating resolution but leaves none-the-less a bitter-sweet aftertaste in your departure.

Maybe the life you have been living so far seems empty now and the things that seemed so important before are now only empty cups.

Everything you have been accumulating is suddenly useless or is even slowing your down and getting in the way of your progress. Other interests are more important to you or you are ready to pursue more ambitious goals.

It may be the right time to sever some limiting ties that are causing sadness and dissatisfaction. You are ready to break free from something that is holding you back and try something new.

It is a turning point in your life and you must let go of your old ways in order to earn an emotional or spiritual growth.

A travel or an evolution in the situation are possible.

Eight of Cups Tarot Card Reversed

Keywords: departure delay, refusing to move on, declining responsibility

This card reversed can simply indicate a refusal to leave a situation and an incapacity to move on. 

We can also read it as a failure to grow up and an inability to commit when there is a difficulty or the situation requires taking responsibility. Beware of becoming a drifter, never settling down or committing to any relationship or undertaking.

On another hand this tarot card reversed, can symbolize that it is not the time yet to let go and the current situation has still something to offer. You should treasure what you have got before throwing it all away for futile reasons or for fear.

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