Six of Cups – Tarot Card Meaning

When the Six of Cups, or Chalices, appears, nostalgic memories are probably on your mind. These are coming up right now for a reason, to teach you a lesson or guide you in some way. But make sure you don’t confuse the message. While the card could be reminding you of your former joy, it could also be a warning that something you are holding onto from the past is compromising your decision-making in the present.

Upright Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief

In the upright position, the Six of Cups suggests that memories from the past are at the front of your mind, perhaps due to an encounter with someone from your past. This might remind you why you set off on a certain path in the first place, and remind you why it brought you joy.

Reversed Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief

In the reversed position, the Six of Cups suggests that something from your past is haunting you. It is holding you back from moving forward or forcing you into toxic decision-making processes that are robbing you of the joy that you deserve.

Six of Cups – Tarot Card Description

While the Six of Cups card appears differently in different decks, most pull on the symbology represented in the Rider Waite deck.

At the center of the scene, a young boy is offering a cup filled with flowers to a younger girl who looks up at him with joy, friendship, and admiration. The pair are surrounded by five further cups of flowers. The pair represent childhood and the full cups the innocent joy of that life stage.

In the distance a man walks away from the pair, suggesting growing up and leaving childhood things and memories of the past behind.

The scene takes place within a large courtyard, representing safety and security. These things can seem simple when you are a child since others take responsibility for this. But as we grow, we learn to build our own protections. How we choose to protect ourselves often depends on our childhood experiences.

Number – 6

The number six often refers to the material things in our lives, such as our profession or finances. But it connects with these as a source of security. It reminds us that there is nothing wrong with wanting to build a secure life. This is what can give you the freedom to take risks and find joy.

Element – Water

The suit of Cups represents the water element in the Tarot and speaks to our emotions. It often calls on us to question how we are feeling and why. It reminds us that while our emotions can be difficult to manage, we have them for a reason. Listen to what they are telling you.

Six of Cups – Upright Tarot Card Meaning

When the Six of Cups appears in the upright position, it suggests that happy memories from your past are at the front of your mind for some reason. This could be because of a rekindled friendship or an experience like a class reunion, or just something that happened in your life that reminds you of when you were younger.

It can also suggest that you are entering into a fun time where you can let your hair down and enjoy some freedom. It could suggest that you have finally found financial security, and this is giving you the freedom to be more carefree and do things that you have always dreamed of.

The appearance of the Six of Cups can also be an explicit message about children occupying an important role in your life. This can mean a pregnancy, but children can also appear in unexpected ways.

But memories from the past don’t always bring you joy. It is possible that you are realizing how much you have changed from who you were. This could be in good ways, and that you have learned life lessons and worked through emotional trauma. But it can also be in negative ways, perhaps realizing that you have lost your “wonder” in life.

What to do?

When the Six of Cups appears upright in the Tarot reading, it is a sign that you are probably thinking about childhood memories or experiences from an earlier time in your life. The memories that you are experiencing are probably happy ones, but depending on where you are today, they may or may not bring you happiness in the given moment.

Six of Cups – Reversed Tarot Card Meaning

When the Six of Cups appears reversed in a Tarot reading, it is also a sign that the past is very present in your current life. It could be that you are holding onto the past and trying to keep things how “they used to be”, rather than accepting that things have changed.

It is also possible that childhood trauma is governing some of your decision-making at this time. Strategies that you have subconsciously developed to protect yourself, starting in childhood, may be keeping you from moving forward or even creating a toxic situation.

The Six of Cups might also appear reversed in a reading if you are just going through a hard time and you are struggling to find joy, even in the best parts of your life. It calls on you to examine what is stopping you from finding happiness.

What to do?

If the Six of Cups appears in the reversed position in a Tarot reading, it means that memories from the past are intruding on your present, probably in a negative way. It is holding you back or leading you to make bad decisions. You need to let go of the past to make the changes you need in your life to find joy.

6 of Cups in the Love Tarot Reading

In a love tarot reading, the Six of Cups represents nostalgia, past connections, and the possibility of rekindling old romances or cherishing the memories of past relationships. It suggests a period of sweet reminiscence, where the querent may be reflecting on the joys and innocence of past loves, potentially indicating the return of an old flame or the desire to recreate past happiness in the current relationship.

This card emphasizes the importance of the comfort and security that familiar bonds bring, encouraging the querent to embrace the positive aspects of their romantic history while remaining open to the lessons and growth they bring to present and future connections.

6 of Cups in a Career Tarot Reading

In a career tarot reading, the Six of Cups suggests a look back to past accomplishments, former colleagues, or previous job environments with fondness and nostalgia. It may indicate the possibility of reconnecting with old business contacts, revisiting past projects for inspiration, or the resurgence of opportunities that have roots in one’s professional history.

This card encourages the querent to draw on positive experiences and lessons from the past to inform their current career path, highlighting the value of established relationships and proven strategies in achieving professional success and fulfillment.

6 of Cups in Relation to Other Tarot Cards

The Six of Cups’ meaning in relation to other Tarot cards can offer nuanced insights into the querent’s situation, especially regarding their emotional and relational dynamics. Here’s how the Six of Cups interacts with a selection of specific cards, enriching the interpretation of a reading:

• The Fool: Paired with the Six of Cups, The Fool can signify a new beginning that is deeply influenced by the past. This combination suggests embarking on a fresh journey or phase in life with the wisdom and innocence of past experiences guiding the way, indicating a blend of nostalgia and new adventure.
• Ten of Pentacles: When the Six of Cups appears with the Ten of Pentacles, it emphasizes the importance of family, legacy, and long-standing relationships in providing a sense of security and fulfillment. This pairing can indicate drawing strength from family ties or traditions and finding joy in the legacy and lasting bonds that have been built over time.
• Five of Swords: This card often represents conflict, defeat, or winning at the cost of something important. When seen with the Six of Cups, it might suggest the need to reconcile with past conflicts or misunderstandings, highlighting the potential for healing old wounds through forgiveness and remembering the happier times shared before strife.
• The Lovers: The combination of the Six of Cups with The Lovers card strengthens the theme of romantic connection, possibly suggesting a relationship with a significant history or the rekindling of a past love. It underscores the decision to embrace love, potentially guided by the purity and innocence of past feelings, and the importance of mutual respect and choice in a relationship.
• Ace of Wands: This card is about new beginnings, creativity, and enthusiasm. When it appears alongside the Six of Cups, it indicates that inspiration from the past fuels new ventures or projects. This pairing suggests that revisiting old ideas or passions could spark exciting opportunities and creative endeavors.

The Six of Cups, when interpreted in conjunction with other cards, offers a rich narrative about how past experiences and relationships influence the present and future. It highlights the importance of nostalgia, memory, and the innocence of past connections in shaping one’s path forward, whether in personal growth, relationships, or career aspirations. By examining these interactions, a reader can provide insights that encourage the querent to embrace their history as a foundation for growth and new beginnings.

Six of Cups Tarot Reading

When the Six of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, it means that memories from childhood, or at least when you were younger, are on your mind. These could be positive memories that leave you feeling nostalgic or remembering your why. But it could also be traumatic memories are influencing you in ways that you may not realize.

Either way, it is time for some self-reflection. Accept the memories and the lessons they have to teach, be grateful for those moments in your life, and find a way to move forward with joy in your life.