A Change of Perspective
Regret. Grief. Disappointment. The Five of Cups echoes the ache of what can’t be undone. It is the card of mourning—whether for lost love, missed opportunities, or a version of yourself that no longer exists.
This is the moment when sorrow colors everything, when the sting of regret makes it hard to see what remains.
And yet, this card is not just about loss—it is about perspective. The spilled cups command attention, but two still stand.
The Five of Cups asks: Will you let sorrow define you, or will you turn toward what is left?
What is the Five of Cups?
The Five of Cups represents heartbreak, setbacks, or sorrow, often tied to emotional attachments.
It appears when grief lingers, when pain overshadows joy, when the past holds more weight than the present.
But healing can only begin when we shift our gaze—when we acknowledge the pain without letting it consume us.
Symbolism
- The Spilled Cups – Grief, regret, and the pain of what is lost.
- The Upright Cups – The unseen blessings, the potential for renewal. Another callback to the happiness experienced in the Three of Cups.
- The Cloaked Figure – Isolation, sorrow, and the inward pull of mourning.
- The Bridge and River – A path forward, healing that flows like water if we allow it.
Element: Water
The Water element governs emotions, intuition, and the depths of the subconscious. The Five of Cups teaches that emotions are fluid—grief, like water, moves and shifts.
Pain is part of the journey, but it does not have to be permanent.
Associated Astrology: Mars in Scorpio
With Mars in Scorpio, this card carries the intensity of deep, transformative emotions. It speaks to wounds that cut to the soul but also to the resilience that comes from facing them.
Mars pushes for action, while Scorpio demands introspection—together, they create a moment of emotional reckoning.
Numerology: The Disruption of Five
In numerology, five is a number of instability and change. It breaks the balance of four, introducing chaos and challenge.
In the Cups suit, it represents emotional upheaval—moments that shake us, but also push us toward growth.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”
– Helen Keller
Upright Meanings
The Five of Cups signals a time of grief or disappointment but also the opportunity for emotional growth.
General Meaning
A difficult moment of loss or regret. This card invites acknowledgment of pain but warns against getting stuck in it.
Love
Heartbreak, separation, or mourning a lost connection. Sometimes, this card suggests a focus on past relationships instead of what is possible now.
Career
A professional setback, a missed opportunity, or disappointment in work. However, all is not lost—potential still remains if you shift your perspective.
Finances
Regret over financial decisions or losses. A call to refocus on what can be salvaged rather than what is gone.
Health
Emotional distress affecting well-being. The need to process grief and release emotional burdens.
Reversed Meanings
When reversed, the Five of Cups suggests acceptance, emotional recovery, or resisting necessary healing.
General Meaning
The first steps toward healing. Moving forward from grief, or alternatively, refusing to acknowledge emotional pain.
Love
A chance to rebuild love, release past heartbreak, or let go of lingering pain from an old relationship.
Career
Learning from setbacks and finding new opportunities. Overcoming professional disappointment.
Finances
Recovering from financial loss or changing perspective on material concerns.
Health
Emotional healing in progress. A reminder to prioritize mental and emotional well-being.
What Does the Five of Cups Teach Us?
The Five of Cups reminds us that loss is part of life, but it does not define us. It teaches that grief is valid, but it is not the whole story.
This card asks us to turn our gaze—to see what remains, to find the strength to move forward, and to recognize that healing is always within reach.
What are you ready to let go of so you can embrace the blessings you still hold?
