Six of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
Five of Cups |
Six of Cups |
Seven of Cups |
General Meaning
The Six of Cups card symbolizes genuine emotions, family happiness, and fond memories of the past. This card reminds us of the value of simple and universally understood feelings—love, kindness, understanding, and care.
Card Motto
Be sincere with yourself and those around you.
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings Six of Cups
Description and Symbols of the Card Six of Cups
This Tarot card presents a romantic scene filled with peace, tenderness, and kindness. Carefree children are engaged in play—a boy, bending in a half-bow, offers a cup brimming with wildflowers to a blonde girl.
In the background, towers of an old castle are visible, and around the children stand five more flower-filled cups. The Six of Cups invites us to look back at our past, to our childhood, to rekindle our true feelings and desires.
Meaning in Upright Position
The appearance of the Six of Cups Tarot card in a reading is a positive sign, offering a favorable outlook on all areas of life! For those who are married, it promises harmony and happiness in personal relationships. For anyone seeking a partner, you're likely to meet your destined match soon.
Projects that were previously set aside may start progressing, and people from your past—an old flame, a longtime friend, or an acquaintance you haven't seen in ages—might reenter your life.
In essence, the Six of Cups signifies an unbroken thread connecting your present reality to the past. Perhaps there are mistakes left behind that you need to avoid repeating. Or, conversely, there may be unfulfilled and forgotten desires that are ready to be brought to life now.
This Tarot card invites you to dive into the realm of memories, reflecting on the past, remembering your parents and roots, and recalling times when you were young and carefree. These beautiful thoughts will bring renewal and help you clearly define your current life goals!
The Six of Cups also highlights sincerity and purity in the intentions of those around you. It's a wonderful period where you can trust others without fear of betrayal or intrigue. It’s a great time to embark on fruitful collaborations with new partners and seek and receive support from loved ones and colleagues. At the same time, this Tarot card reminds you not to forget your responsibilities and to look around—there might be someone nearby who also needs a kind word, sympathy, or support from you.
Key Meanings of the Upright Six of Cups Card
- Cozy home life, familial happiness, strengthening family bonds, help, support, stability.
- A gift, inheritance, good financial standing, positive news.
- Pleasant memories, reunion with an ex-lover or friend, nostalgia for the past.
Reversed Position
The reversed Six of Cups Tarot card retains much of its positive essence. It signifies the same desires and encounters from the past, as well as wonderful family relationships filled with love, understanding, and tenderness. Challenges and problems are behind you, and a phase of improvement and renewal is beginning in your life!
However, the reversed Six of Cups can bring surprises. Some events might occur sooner than expected, causing a bit of hustle and nerves. Nonetheless, the Tarot card suggests that everything will eventually settle down, and these sudden events won't hinder you from reaching your goals.
Key Meanings of the Reversed Six of Cups
- Good relationships with relatives, mutual understanding, and harmony within the family.
- Anxiety, hustle, haste in actions and decisions.
- New encounters, learning opportunities, and discoveries.
Meaning in Love Readings
In love readings, the upright Six of Cups card predicts new encounters, flirtations, and the birth of bright and genuine feelings. It's a light and playful period where connections form easily, relationships are filled with warmth, mutual trust, and sincere friendship.
Lovers find joy in their dates, act passionately for the sake of love, and do everything possible to enhance mutual interest. Unforgettable dates and a touching honeymoon phase whisk both away to a magical paradise on the wings of tender emotions and beautiful sensations.
In its reversed position, the card may warn against rushing things, which could harm happy relationships.
When Asking About a Suitor or Beloved
When reading for a suitor or partner, the upright card suggests that your chosen one is someone with very genuine and vibrant emotions in love. True, they may not always be consistent... But while you are together, being around them is simply wonderful!
The reversed card indicates that your beloved is sincere but hasty in love. They might fall head over heels at first sight, but it's unlikely to be a lifelong love—more likely to last just a day or a month.
Reading for Money, Career
In business readings, the Six of Cups card predicts the successful development of plans that were previously put on hold. Things are looking up after a period of instability, with opportunities for profit and establishing promising connections with partners. It may represent the first exhilarating successes in your business journey.
Business relationships are marked by sincerity and trust, with no tension or ambiguity. Going to work feels like a celebration, with each day bringing the joy of creativity and satisfaction.
When reversed, the card suggests a desire to conclude past matters and focus on future projects.
Reading for a Person
When reading Tarot for a person, the upright Six of Cups represents someone who is genuine and kind-hearted, with the ability to inspire those around them with their vibrant emotions.
In the reversed position, this card describes a person who is emotional, sincere, and easily passionate. They can quickly become enthusiastic about new endeavors but might lack the patience to see things through to completion.
Reading for Advice
When upright, the Six of Cups card encourages you to open yourself up to genuine and fulfilling communication. Cherish your close relationships with family and friends, as they are your greatest treasures and support.
If the card appears reversed in a reading, it advises you not to rush things or make hasty decisions. Be responsible in your choices and actions; otherwise, you might risk making a mistake.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears upright, the outlook for your situation is very positive. As a result, you will be pleased with how things are going and will be able to share this joy with someone close to you.
In a reversed position, the forecast for your situation is uncertain. Carelessness, hasty judgments, and actions may hinder you. It is wise not to rush events or make decisions in the heat of the moment.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
With 0 The Fool card - Thoughts about childhood, bright images, generous gifts for loved ones.
With 1 The Magician card - Charity, helping loved ones, children's dreams, sentimentality.
With 2 The High Priestess card - Thoughts about the past, platonic relationships, sincere generosity.
In combination with 3 The Empress card - Childlike naivety, child-rearing, worldly wisdom.
With 4 The Emperor card - Give comfort, recommend work, share successful experience.
With 5 The Hierophant card - Meet a former love, childlike attachment, nostalgia.
With 6 The Lovers card - Naivety in love, an aged admirer, forbidden love.
With 7 The Chariot card - A veteran soldier, retirement, public office.
With 8 The Strength card - To take under guardianship, show condescension, help someone in their career.
With 9 The Hermit card - Path of purification, introduction to traditions, chastity or observance of fasting.
With 10 The Wheel of Fortune card - Resume activity, start from scratch, become a mentor or coach.
With 11 The Justice card - Former attachments or connections, a new view on the problem, charity.
With 12 The Hanged Man card - Interest in religion or ancestors' traditions, desire to share your state with someone, make someone a little happier.
With 13 The Death card - Alternative medicine, getting tangled in priority settings, giving the last of what you have.
With 14 The Temperance card - Forgive the loved one, reconcile with the family members or friends, the path of virtue.
With 15 The Devil card - Do no good - receive no evil, vice under the guise of virtue, deception and shortsightedness.
With 16 The Tower card - Hold on to eternal values, find consolation in helping others, self-sacrifice.
With 17 The Star card - Platonic love, attachment, share plans or reveal a dream.
With 18 The Moon card - Childhood memories, share experience, complicate matters or justify oneself.
With 19 The Sun card - Reconsideration of positions, look into your own soul, find mercy or compassion.
With 20 The Judgement card - Difficulties with conception, unplanned pregnancy, hereditary diseases.
With 21 The World card - Nostalgia, introspection, subconscious, contemplation of the future.
Wands Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Wands — Taking action on long-standing projects, sharing experiences, a need to find something new and original.
With the Two of Wands — Living in memories, naivety, inaction, and fear of change.
With the Three of Wands — Childishness, starting to act after a long break, a desire to create.
With the Four of Wands — Birth of a child, care and friendliness, sincerity of feelings, meeting with an old friend.
With the Five of Wands — Resentment from the past, an old enemy or rival, generational conflict.
With the Six of Wands — Rekindling a romance with a former lover, getting a second chance, returning to a familiar way of life.
With the Seven of Wands — Resistance to change, living in the past, withdrawing into a familiar world.
With the Eight of Wands — Taking a step back, reevaluating beliefs, becoming more submissive and sensitive, realizing past mistakes.
With the Nine of Wands — Living in the past, getting stuck in memories, shutting oneself off from recent events.
With the Ten of Wands — The burden of memories, immersing oneself in the past, futile attempts to change what has already happened.
With the Page of Wands — Naive girl or boy, teenager, pure soul, volunteerism.
With the Knight of Wands — Focusing only on the future, living day by day, adopting useful experiences or ideas.
With the Queen of Wands — Brief relaxation or nostalgia, returning to a former suitor, strict upbringing.
With the King of Wands — An old friend or acquaintance, indulging in memories, analyzing the past.
Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Swords — Intention to give birth to a child, firm principles, creativity, and open-mindedness.
With the Two of Swords — Hesitating about becoming a mother, attempting to break free from past habits, the need for a change in occupation.
With the Three of Swords — Short-sightedness, causing more harm than good, misunderstandings with the younger generation, childhood hurts.
With the Four of Swords — Getting stuck in the past, a need for spiritual development, indulging in memories, choosing to forget the bad.
With the Five of Swords — Failed experiment, non-acceptance and criticism from others, a project that didn't work out.
With the Six of Swords — Returning home, moving in with parents or, conversely, living together with children, reuniting with loved ones after prolonged disagreements.
With the Seven of Swords — Materialistic perception of the world, childhood complexes, feeling unloved as a child.
With the Eight of Swords — Firstborn, a young mother or parents, trying to do everything right, getting confused with different parenting methods.
With the Nine of Swords — Remembering past mistakes, getting burned by naivety, problems related to women's health and conception.
With the Ten of Swords — Infertility, facing harsh truths, falling into the hands of fraudsters.
With the Page of Swords — Disputes over child custody, agitation, displaying emotions for show.
With the Knight of Swords — Impulsive actions, being overly idealistic and hasty, a young idealistic man.
With the Queen of Swords — Favor from authorities, gifts from the government or hidden motives, dependence on systems or authority figures.
With the King of Swords — Being under someone else's control, accepting what is offered, getting involved with law enforcement agencies.
Six of Cups and Swords Suit Combinations
With the Two of Cups — Childhood or youth relationships, an old oath or promise, meeting a former partner.
With the Three of Cups — Childhood friends, pleasant company, a class reunion, fond memories.
With the Four of Cups — Not fitting in with the past, hiding one's biography, being dependent on others' opinions.
With the Five of Cups — Controversial life experiences, becoming disillusioned with the past, hiding unpleasant actions.
With the Seven of Cups — Living in the past, falling into childish behavior, being overly idealistic and naive.
With the Eight of Cups — Getting lost in memories, a childish or naive act, being afraid of responsibilities.
With the Nine of Cups — Genuine joy, the ability to enjoy life, success in endeavors, pure intentions.
With the Ten of Cups — Being a good parent, genuine love for children, a desire to create a large family, having many children.
With the Page of Cups — Sharing joy or useful experiences, proposing good ideas, raising awareness in others.
With the Knight of Cups — Charity or volunteering, involvement in a non-profit organization.
With the Queen of Cups — Being on a positive wave, morality and integrity, naive principles.
With the King of Cups — Trusting, the life of the party, a person with broad perspectives.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Pentacles — Reciprocated kindness and tenderness, sincere gifts, responsiveness, and generosity.
With the Two of Pentacles — Extravagance and compassion, charity, lack of practicality.
With the Three of Pentacles — Belief in a new project, dedicating oneself entirely to a profession, being a theatrical or media personality.
With the Four of Pentacles — Hiding one's vulnerability, concealing true feelings, pretending indifference.
With the Five of Pentacles — Feeling spiritually poor, lack of perspective, incorrect or superficial conclusions.
With the Six of Pentacles — Deprived of warmth or attention, obsessive state, dependency.
With the Seven of Pentacles — Investing in someone else's name, taking care of the future, foresight, and prudence.
With the Eight of Pentacles — Working on relationships, giving more than receiving, feeling joy and being valued in one's profession.
With the Nine of Pentacles — Wholeness as an individual, philanthropy, sponsorship, or joining forces with younger and aspiring entrepreneurs.
With the Ten of Pentacles — Coming together under someone's leadership, becoming a part of something bigger, an offer of marriage or partnership.
With the Page of Pentacles — Working in social welfare, seeing the fruits of one's labor, receiving public recognition.
With the Knight of Pentacles — Working in the service industry, conservativeness, eternal values, and the ability to profit from them.
With the Queen of Pentacles — A successful career, not resorting to hypocrisy to achieve success, honor, and respect.
With the King of Pentacles — Financial security, complete protection, a man who takes responsibility.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You Six of Cups? This Signifies:
Today, you can expect a very good day filled with bright, positive emotions. Most of the events will be connected to your family, loved ones, and friends, characterized by warm communication, expressions of care, and sincere feelings. Additionally, the card of the day indicates that you have a chance to come face to face with your past today. This can manifest as pleasant nostalgic memories, news or events rooted in bygone days, or even an unexpected encounter with an old acquaintance.