Reading Tarot

The four of cups in tarot is a somewhat negative card, which signifies either obsession with one’s self, or an inward-looking disposition. Of course, being self-obsessed is not always bad; in some contexts a bit of self-reflection can actually be a good thing. In the classic Rider-waite deck, the card depicts a young man sitting beneath a tree, staring toward three cups in front of him. A fourth cup is offered by a god-like hand, but he isn’t interested, signifying his disconnection from the world and his lack of awareness about what is actually going on around him. On the other hand, the figure is surrounded by verdant greenery and an abundance of cups, meaning that things aren’t going all that badly for him. The broad meanings most often associated with this card are rejection, ignorance, self-absorbtion, boredom, selfishness, and an unwillingness to play well with others. This card is also closely related to the Hermit in the major arcana, which similarly focuses on solitude and withdrawal.

The significance of the four of cups can vary wildly depending on where it shows up in a spread. In a common celtic cross layout, the presence of this card in position 1 can literally mean that the querent is self absorbed and stuck in a rut. The way forward is clear – you must reevaluate our stance on life, and open yourself to new ideas and possibilities. This may simply mean that you need to get out more! Additionally, this card can remind us that we should be thankful for what we’ve been offered in life.

In position 6, what lies ahead, the card can have a different meaning. It is likely that the querent will soon be faced with a challenge that requires deep self-reflection and evaluation. Slowing down and taking the time to reflect may not be a bad thing – in fact it may be required to get through a future struggle. The four of cups here can also mean that new things (such as personal contacts) are going to open up for the querent, and he or she needs to pay attention so as not to let these opportunities pass by.

In the reversed position:

In the upside down (reversed) position, the four of cups can signify a failure to reflect on one’s position, a complete lack of awareness/thankfulness, or missed opportunity. An upside down four of cups can indicate that there is an opportunity staring the querent right in the face, if only they would have the intuition and foresight to take hold of it!