Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meaning: Walking Away & Finding Clarity

Some tarot cards will make you smile when you draw them from your deck. Others will leave you in a state of confusion and filled with disappointment.

Unfortunately, one such card is the Eight of Cups. The Eight of Cups is the eighth card in the Suit of Cups and a Minor Arcana card.

The general meaning of the Eight of Cups tarot card is that something is missing. This could mean that something is physically missing (a loved one or a financial loss, for example) but is more likely to be referring to an emotional or spiritual absence.

The Eight of Cups card implies that you have to walk away from that which isn’t serving you to enrich your life. Leading to feelings of fear, abandonment, withdrawal, and escapism.

The Eight of Cups is a negative tarot card, but it’s one with an important message. Want to know more about the Eight of Cups tarot card? Here’s your comprehensive guide!

Eight of Cups Keywords

Description of the Eight of Cups 

When we look at the image on the Eight of Cups tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck we see the eight cups lined up in two rows at the front of the card. There are five cups on the bottom row and three cups on the top row, with a gap between them to imply that a golden cup is missing.

Behind the cups is a figure in a red coat with his back turned. He is walking away into the distance, and his turned back and dropped shoulders indicate that he’s walking away from a disappointing situation. The figure is walking through barren land but towards mountains. This will not be an easy journey.

At the top left of the Eight of Cups card is a yellow moon. This is illuminating the life path for the figure, perhaps to make the difficult journey a little easier.

The Eight of Cups keywords associated with this card that are clearly indicated by its pictorial key are disappointment, escape, withdrawal, and abandonment. In the standard upright position the Eight of Cups is not a positive card.

The Eight of Cups Upright Meaning 

The Eight of Cups tarot card meaning is one of disappointment at a life that hasn’t fulfilled its promise. The true happiness you seek has eluded you and you are dealing with a negative emotional state.

Perhaps you’re processing abandonment issues or find yourself in a bad situation that you don’t know how to extract yourself from. If a fear of the unknown is holding you in a bad situation then the Eight of Cups tarot card could be the sign you need to extract yourself from the situation, find a better place, and gain a deeper understanding of your true emotional and physical needs.

Moving on can be difficult, especially if you’re leaving behind a long term situation, be that your current relationship or an unhappy career. But saying goodbye to what no longer serves you is an important life lesson. If you sense that something is missing, and you’re seeking emotional fulfillment then it’s time to make a change.

The Eight of Cups—Love Meaning 

A love reading of the Eight of Cups tarot card would suggest that it’s time to ask serious questions about your current relationship. Are you happy? Does your love life enrich your life in its current state? If the answer to these questions is no then perhaps it’s time to consider a new relationship.

If you can’t imagine spending the rest of your life with your current partner or if they don’t encourage your personal growth and spiritual growth then it’s time to leave your unfulfilling relationship.

Single? Perhaps now is the right time to move on from the emotional issues caused by former relationships and start looking for love again. If the Eight of Cups appears in your tarot reading then perhaps the person you’re ready to walk away from is the single version of yourself. You’re tired of your current situation so it’s time to get back on the dating scene.

The Eight of Cups—Career Meaning 

Wondering if you’re on the right career path? A career reading of the Eight of Cups tarot card would suggest several different things, depending on how you feel in your current workplace.

The theme of the card is walking away. This could mean something as simple as that you need a holiday and you’re ready to walk away from work in the short term. But if your current job leaves you feeling emotionally unfulfilled it could also mean that you’re ready for new beginnings. And you should consider starting a job search.

It’s important to know when it’s time to cut your losses and move on, and the Eight of Cups card appearing in your tarot spreads could give you the sign and the motivation that you need.

The Eight of Cups—Finances Meaning 

If you’re craving happiness and financial independence then the deeper meanings of the Eight of Cups tarot card is that you may need to leave your financial security behind. This can be scary but taking a chance could see you make a huge return on your investment.

If you have a fear of change then start by making smaller financial decisions first. (Saving a small amount, or reducing big expenditures for example). Over a long time these little things all add up to make a significant difference to your financial wellbeing.

Reversed Eight of Cups Meaning 

The reversed meaning of the Eight of Cups tarot card is very different from the upright meaning. In the reversed position the Eight of Cups card is less focused on abandonment and letting go and more focused on confusion.

The key meanings of the reversed Eight of Cups are a fear of the unknown, not knowing which path to choose, and a tendency to self-sabotage. New opportunities present themselves but you’re not sure if it’s the right path for you. New things seem scary so you stagnate, looking for a positive change, but not ready to walk the unknown path to make it happen.

Reversed Eight of Cups—Love Meaning 

A love meaning of the reversed eight of cups tarot card will focus on your current relationship. Perhaps your gut instinct is telling you that this relationship isn’t right for you? But you’re not ready to leave it for a new adventure.

You’ve lost your love for each other but you’re staying because the relationship is familiar. Or perhaps you simply don’t realise a different path is available.

The only way to find true happiness is to be brave and walk the unknown path. Find someone who will love you on a deeper level and embrace and love your authentic self and leave your past relationship behind.

Reversed Eight of Cups—Career Meaning 

The career meaning of the reversed Eight of Cups tarot card has a similar theme to the relationship reading. You might be ready to walk away from your current job but you’re staying due to fear of the unknown.

We spend so much time in our workplace and an unfulfilling job can negatively impact other aspects of our lives. It can even lead to health issues or problems with your mental health. Don’t be afraid to let go, and find a career that genuinely makes you happy.

Reversed Eight of Cups—Finances Meaning 

Financial fear is holding you back. That’s the message of the reversed Eight of Cups tarot card. Perhaps you’re staying in a job or even a relationship you hate because of the financial security it affords. But your happiness is worth more than any financial compensation.

This is your sign to start looking for ways to meet your economic needs without abandoning your emotional needs. Perhaps it’s time to start looking for a new job or somewhere else to live?

Other Cards with the Eight of Cups 

The Eight of Cups is the eighth card in the Cups suit and its meaning can be changed or strengthened when it is paired with other cards in your tarot journey.

The meaning of the card can be either altered and clarified. Some of the most interesting card combinations are:

The Eight of Cups and the Knight of Cups

When the Eight of Cups card and the Knight of Cups card are pulled in the same reading this signifies not only that you’re embarking on a new journey but that the journey will be one with emotional depth: perhaps you’re seeking a new relationship, or to strengthen connections with your loved ones?

The Eight of Cups and Queen of Cups

The Queen of Cups is an interesting tarot card that signifies emotional maturity and healing. So when it is presented alongside the withdrawn and transitional Eight of Cups tarot card it indicates that although you are on an emotional journey, and this journey will be difficult, the final destination will be a place of emotional balance and peace.

The Eight of Cups and the Hanged Man

The Hanged Man is a card that is associated with martyrdom and self-sacrifice. When this is combined with the fear and uncertainty of the Eight of Cups tarot card, the result is a time of questioning yourself and not being sure what the right next move is. This is a difficult combination of tarot cards that might well be telling you it’s time to withdraw and walk away.

The Eight of Cups and the Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords is an interesting card from the Suit of Swords that focuses on mental clarity and success. This card implies you will have a significant breakthrough of some kind. When drawn alongside the Eight of Cups this also sends a positive message that happiness waits at your journey’s end.

The Eight of Cups and the Ace of Wands

Pulled both the Eight of Cups and the Ace of Wands tarot cards? When these cards are combined the end result is a significant shift in energy. The Ace of Wands is the card of new beginnings, and the Eight of Cups a feeling that you’re at a dead end. Perhaps that exciting new start you’re so looking forward to will only end in disappointment as well?

Alternatively we could look at the reverse of this: that you’re in the middle of despair, but a new beginning is much closer than you think.

The Eight of Cups and its Astrological Sign 

Each tarot card is associated with an astrological sign. The Suit of Cups is associated with the emotional water signs. These are Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. The Eight of Cups is most closely associated with Pisces as it sits in the first decan of Pisces.

The element of water is linked to the traits of intuition, emotion, and empathy. In this case the Eight of Cups card is linked to the negative emotions of fear, stagnation, abandonment, and uncertainty.

Conclusion 

The Eight of Cups is a fascinating tarot card with a wide range of meanings when we look at it on a deeper level. But the high level card description is of disappointment, withdrawal, and knowing that it’s time to walk away. This can have serious consequences for your relationship and for your career.

Now that you read this tarot guide to the Eight of Cups tarot card you can better understand how this card might influence your unique circumstances. Applying the message of your card to your personal information is a great way to gain insight into your presence and clues about the future too.

Not sure how the Eight of Cups tarot meaning is relevant to you? Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a tarot expert to be interested in tarot.

Speak with our AI psychic or can provide you with a free tarot reading and in-depth explanation of the cards you choose. Why not get yours today?