When the Four of Cups card appears in your tarot card reading, this is your sign to focus on your own needs.
The Four of Cups is the fourth card in the Suit of Cups and is a Minor Arcana card and it isn’t a card with an overly positive message to impart. The Four of Cups represents feelings of apathy and a lack of motivation. It often appears when you need to let these negative emotions go.
Let’s take a closer look at the Four of Cups and how you can interpret this card to benefit and change your life with our comprehensive guide to the Four of Cups tarot card.
Four of Cups Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Apathy, contemplation, feeling disconnected, melancholy, boredom, indifference, discontent
Reversed card (keywords)
Clarity, awareness, acceptance, choosing happiness, depression, negativity
Description of the Four of Cups
When we look at the Rider-Waite tarot deck, the Four of Cups card clearly shows a young man sitting on top of a hill and under a tree with his arms folded across his chest. This is a sign of emotional withdrawal with the folded arms acting as a barrier to the world.
The tree provides shelter for the man, somewhere to take time to rest and relax when he needs it the most. That he is sitting on top of a hill signifies enlightenment in a spiritual context.
What is interesting about this is that the man is alone. The Two of Cups card shows two figures and the Three of Cups card shows three figures, so this is a clear break from convention. In both a physical and spiritual context, the figure is alone.
In front of the figure are three golden cups or goblets, and these are lined up below him in a clear row. The figure seems to be looking at and contemplating these three cups. The fourth cup is being presented to the young man by a cloud floating alongside him. It’s not clear if the man realizes the fourth cup is there.
So what does this card description actually mean?
Four of Cups Upright meaning
The Four of Cups tarot card meaning is one of introspection and reevaluation when presented in the upright position. The card is telling you that new opportunities are presenting themselves (the fourth cup) but you are so focused on your current path (the three cups in a row) that you simply aren’t taking them.
This is not a positive card. New opportunities are flowing toward you, but you continue to reject or ignore them. Perhaps because you already have too much on your plate or perhaps because you are disinterested in trying new things. The key meaning of this card is that you’re feeling discouraged and unmotivated. You have a lack of emotional balance and this could well serve as the encouragement you need to reevaluate your perspective and your approach.
Perhaps we can perceive the Four of Cups tarot card as a reminder not to take the things we already have for granted. If you’re feeling depressed, pessimistic, self absorbed or otherwise negative emotions then this card could be reflective of your state of mind. Don’t dwell on the things that have gone wrong, stop being introspective and self absorbed, and allow yourself to try new experiences. Live in the present moment instead of worrying about the ‘what ifs’.
Four of Cups—Love meaning
If you’re wondering what the Four of Cups tarot card means for your love life, then this depends on whether you are single or currently in a relationship.
If you’re single, then the love reading of the card is suggesting that you’re bored with the state of your love life. Perhaps it’s time to mix things up by opening yourself up to new opportunities, trying new dating pools, and emotionally embracing the prospect of new love and a new relationship. Anything to break the stagnant status quo.
If you’re already in a relationship, then your love life may be feeling dull and stale. A lack of passion and physical intimacy could be leaving you feeling more like roommates than lovers. But you need to appreciate what you have instead of turning elsewhere for affection and intimacy in a physical and spiritual context.
You may be feeling dissatisfied with your love life, but only you have the power to change this. Change your mindset, appreciate what your partner brings to your relationship and what they do for you. Don’t let the impact of past relationship failures, breakdowns, and heartache lead your decision-making process.
Four of Cups—Career meaning
If your professional life is important to you then you may be wondering what having the Four of Cups tarot card in your tarot reader means for your career. Unfortunately, just as the Four of Cups card indicates that you are distant and distracted in your love life, it also indicates that you are distant and distracted in the workplace.
Could it be that you’re bored in your job and ready to make a change? If you don’t find your job enjoyable and interesting then you won’t be emotionally or spiritually invested in the place where you spend the vast majority of your waking time.
Don’t be rash and quit your job without a new one in place. But use your dissatisfaction as a motivator to make a fresh start. Find a new job role that gives you a renewed sense of purpose and takes your career to the next level.
Don’t be tempted to compare your career development to that of your peers or colleagues. Comparison is the thief of joy. It will only lead to envy or leave you feeling inadequate. When in reality the only thing that matters is your own job satisfaction, and your own career path.
Four of Cups—Finances meaning
Dissatisfaction and boredom are the key terms related to the Four of Cups tarot card. And these apply to the financial interpretation of the card too. This doesn’t mean that you have financial struggles, nor does it indicate an abundance of money. Rather it means that you’re unhappy with your financial status quo.
Envy leads you to compare your financial situation to others, and you constantly find yourself lacking. If you’re looking for ways to improve your financial situation then this is a great time to look for new opportunities. Break free from your boredom and cycle of negativity to create new financial opportunities that leave you feeling engaged and excited instead.
If you’re in a stable financial position but finding dissatisfaction in the wider financial system then this card may represent an idealistic opposition to capitalism, money, and financial systems. This often occurs when you’re going through big financial changes such as a mortgage application.
Reversed Four of Cups meaning
If the Four of Cups tarot card represents feeling disinterested and bored then when the Four of Cups card is presented in the reversed position this means you are taking a shift from this boredom and finding your motivation again. You’re feeling a positive energy and are ready to make a new start. This is a significant tarot card with meaningful impact on various aspects of life.
Whilst the upright position of the Four of Cups card has negative connotations, the reversed meaning has a much more positive energy. You are ready to make a new start, move on from past mistakes, and embrace the joy of life. You could be preparing to take a physical or spiritual journey.
Leaving your current situation behind will give you the time and space you need to meet new people, try new things, and take on new challenges. You are open to new ideas and the energy that openness and enthusiasm brings is attracting new people to you.
Reversed Four of Cups—Love meaning
If you’re looking for a love tarot reading then the reversed Four of Cups card has a much more positive message to impart that the upright tarot card.
If you’re single then you may have spent some time nursing the wounds of a past relationship and moving on from past mistakes. This can leave you isolated and wary of forming new romantic attachments. But you’ve resolved your emotional issues and you’re ready to move on from this now. When it comes to matters of love you have a lot to look forward to in the future. Your potential love match is right around the corner.
If you’re in a relationship then the Four of Cups tarot love meaning in reverse is that you’re ready to work hard on your current relationship. It might not be perfect (few relationships are!) but it is built on mutual love, respect, and affection. It’s time to reject the status quo and stop being apathetic. Inject some romance into your current relationship and you’ll reap the rewards.
The relationship spread of the Four of Cups tarot card in the reversed position is much more desirable than the spread in the upright position! This is a tarot draw that shows you’re open to love and ready to give it a chance.
Reversed Four of Cups—Career meaning
When looking at the Four of Cups tarot card reversed meaning in a career context, this is an amazing card to remind you that your career is moving in the right direction.
It’s time to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your personal journey instead. You’ve wasted too much time worrying about what others think of you but now you’re finally ready to make a positive change. In a general sense you are more focused on your career than you have been in a long time. Perhaps you’re ready to make a new start by finding a new job? The fear of the unknown that was holding you back before has gone.
If you’re happy in your current job then your creative energies are increasing, and this means better ideas and a greater sense of harmony in the workplace too. You’re bringing a great energy, and people will notice this.
Reversed Four of Cups—Finances meaning
The Four of Cups tarot upright meaning for your financial affairs pointed to financial apathy and disinterest. But the reversed meaning has a much more positive outlook in terms of money. This card pull turns your lack of interest in money on its head. You’re ready to earn in different ways and look at new financial opportunities with an open mind.
Because you are being so open and embracing new things you can expect to experience positive changes to your financial fortunes. Don’t be afraid of new opportunities and embrace change. The result could be much better than you expect!
Other Cards with the Four of Cups
When the Four of Cups tarot card is drawn alongside certain other cards these can create important card combinations that will have a significant impact on your life, your mental health, and your overall wellbeing.
Some of the most interesting combinations with the Four of Cups tarot card are:
The Four of Cups and the Ace of Cups
When the Four of Cups tarot card is presented with the Ace of Cups tarot card this offers a clear insight into our emotional wellbeing. These are both introverted cards that focus on your own inner world. This is why in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck both cards feature a singular figure.
Drawing these cards together could mean that you’re experiencing an emotional struggle, have a negative emotional state, or that you have a problem you haven’t yet found a solution to. Give yourself time and grace, and the answers will present themselves.
The Four of Cups and the Fool
When the Four of Cups tarot card and the Fool tarot card present themselves together this is sending a clear message. Don’t live with regret. Instead of thinking about all the things that could go wrong, take a leap of faith and follow your dreams to your true desires. There’s a good chance that by being brave you’ll get everything you ever dreamed of.
The Four of Cups and the Emperor
The Four of Cups and the Emperor is a very interesting tarot card reader combination because the focus here is on balance. Rather than be cautious or take a big leap, instead when you see these cards together you are encouraged to find a balance between the two. Plan your actions, make big changes but do so with caution. Amazing things are likely to follow. But if you try something that fails, have an exit strategy or a plan B so that you won’t fall without a safety harness.
The Four of Cups and its Astrological Sign
The Zodiac sign most closely associated with the Four of Cups tarot card is Cancer. This is no real surprise because Cancer is a water sign and the Minor of Arcana and the Suit of Cups both represent the water signs.
Individuals under the Cancer sign tend to be introspective and introverted. Looking inwards and managing deep emotions are the key meanings of the Four of Cups tarot card. Meanwhile the Suit of Cups rules emotions and connection. So if you’re struggling to forge meaningful connections or have a well of emotion that you simply can’t control then it is likely that you are being ruled by a water sign, and this is what the Four of Cups represents.
Conclusion
The Four of Cups tarot card is a fascinating card because not only does it focus on your deeper emotions, it encourages you to embrace your present position rather than seek the position of others with envy.
This card represents just how easy it is to take others for granted and fail to appreciate the good things we already have. The Four of Cups encourages you to realize that you often have the answers to your problems right in front of you: you just need to look for them.
Tarot enthusiasts can learn a lot about themselves by learning the meanings of the tarot cards they choose. A deeper understanding of the cards often leads to a deeper understanding of yourself.
Want to learn more? Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert for our tarot guide! Claim your free tarot reading or speak to an online psychic and discover your inner strength.
