General Interpretation and Meaning of the Eight of Cups - Upright & Reversed

A guy walks away from the eight cups in the foreground in the Eight of Cups Tarot Card. The cups are placed in such a manner that one seems to be missing, indicating a lack of emotional satisfaction and completeness. With a feeling of loss and sadness, the guy shuffles away into the mountains, turning his back on these cups.  

The mountains reflect his knowledge that this would not be an easy trip, while a nearby river represents his emotions (though it will be necessary for true long-term happiness). The road ahead is illuminated by the moon in the night sky - the guy is going in the dead of night, trying to go undetected, implying that this card may be about escape or avoidance. 

General Interpretation and meaning of the Upright Eight of Cups 

When the Eight of Cups appears in a Tarot reading, you may feel forced to leave an unsatisfactory circumstance. It may imply ending a dissatisfying relationship, job, professional path, living situation, or creative endeavor that once brought you tremendous joy but now just causes you misery. You've put your heart and soul into it, but despite your efforts, you're disappointed; it hasn't turned out the way you had hoped, and you realize you're no longer getting anything out of it. The only option now is to put it behind you and go on with your life, even if saying goodbye causes you sorrow. 

The Eight of Cups indicates that you feel something is lacking, especially on an emotional or spiritual level, and that rather than waiting for things to improve, you know you need to quit that unfulfilling relationship. Others may not understand since it seems that you have everything you want on the surface, but you know deep down that it isn't serving your highest good, and it's time to let go and move on. 

The Eight of Cups may indicate that you are attempting to flee a difficult emotional circumstance or ignoring significant psychological problems and worries. In the forefront, the Cups symbolize emotional problems that are still present in your life. You, nevertheless, are attempting to act as if they do not exist by refusing to deal with them.  

You may suppress your feelings or refuse to open up about what is going on with others, choosing to act as if everything is OK or ignoring the situation entirely. 

On a deeper level, the Eight of Cups encourages you to consider what gives you pleasure, happiness, and fulfillment. You may pursue objectives that don't offer you the pleasure you want if you don't have them. 

Love and Relationships Interpretation (Upright) 

In a love or relationship Tarot spread, the Eight of Cups is not a good omen. It denotes abandonment or problems with abandonment. If you're in a relationship, it may mean that either you or your partner has decided to end it. It may indicate the end of a terrible relationship. You may feel like you have no choice but to end the relationship because you are so tired of it. This Tarot card may also indicate that your connection may be strained due to abandonment concerns.  

If you're single, the Eight of Cups may signal loneliness or apprehension about starting a new relationship. It may also be a sign that abandonment problems, such as those caused by a poor previous relationship or parental abandonment, are keeping you from believing in love or trusting individuals with whom you are in a relationship; check the supporting cards for confirmation. 

Money and Career Interpretation (Upright) 

The Eight of Cups in a professional context may suggest that you are considering leaving a position that no longer fulfills you. You may be concerned that you're on the wrong professional track and contemplating a full career shift. If you own a business, you may find yourself either walking away from a failing venture or looking for breakthroughs or ideas to keep your company competitive.  

The Eight of Cups may alternatively just represent business travel. The Eight of Cups advises you to make cautious financial planning and to manage your money wisely in a financial environment. Make sure you understand what's going on with your money, and if you're unhappy with your financial advisors, don't be afraid to fire them and replace them with someone you can trust. The Eight of Cups may sometimes suggest a financial loss; check the accompanying cards for proof. 

Health Interpretation (Upright) 

In terms of health, the Eight of Cups suggests that you may be focusing too much on the bad aspects of your life, which may be damaging your health. Shift your attention to a more optimistic attitude to see whether your health improves. A vacation may do you a lot of good and provide you with a much-needed lift. 

Spirituality Interpretation (Upright) 

The Eight of Cups in a spiritual setting suggests that you may be on a journey of self-discovery. When this Minor Arcana card emerges in your Tarot deck, you may find yourself conducting a lot of soul-searching and introspection. In your quest for your spiritual path, you may find yourself discarding previous spiritual ideas. 

General interpretation and meaning of the Reversed Eight of Cups 

The Eight of Cups in reverse poses the dilemma of choosing between staying and leaving. You may be torn between leaving a bad situation or trying one more attempt to improve things. 'Can the situation improve, or is it a lost cause?' is the actual issue. Check in with your instincts to see whether you should give this scenario another opportunity or if you should let go and let it go. 

If the reversed Eight of Cups is combined with more passive cards like the Hanged Man or the Four of Swords, it may indicate that you should try again. However, if this card is paired with a more aggressive card like the Eight of Wands or Chariot, it may be time to change directions. 

The reversed Eight of Cups encourages you to heed to your emotions while deciding what to do next. Others may have an opinion, but it all boils down to what you value. Only you can determine whether or not this circumstance is beneficial to you and whether or not there is hope for the future. Keep in mind what you desire, and then assess if this action is in line with your objectives and aspirations. 

The reversed Eight of Cups may often indicate that you are flitting from one location to another because you are never content with staying there.  

“On the opposite side, the grass is always greener.” If this rings true for you, consider what makes you happy and how you might create a life that reflects your innermost satisfaction. 

Love and Relationships Interpretation (Reversed) 

If you are in a relationship, the Eight of Cups reversed in a love Tarot spread may suggest that you are dissatisfied in your partnership but are afraid of being alone. You may seem to be content in your relationship to the outer world, but things may have grown boring and stagnant on the inside. It may also suggest a lack of emotional maturity or a fear of commitment, both of which can cause difficulties in a relationship  

If you're single, the reversed Eight of Cups Tarot card may suggest that you're becoming overly clinging and repelling prospective mates. It may also mean that you tolerate poor treatment from partners as a result of a lack of self-esteem or self-worth. Alternatively, you may be avoiding meaningful relationships because you are afraid of commitment. 

Money and Career Interpretation (Reversed) 

The Eight of Cups reversed in a professional situation suggests that your career has become stale and unfulfilling to you, yet you are unable to change because you are scared of losing your job. You may not have considered all of your choices and have instead chosen to accept your fate. When this card emerges, you must be willing to change.  

If your job isn't satisfying you, you're the only one who can alter it, even if it means completely changing your professional path. Be bold and pursue your goals. Even if you don't receive all you desire, you'll know that you gave it your all. If you're self-employed, the reversed Eight of Cups may suggest that you're hanging on to a company that's no longer lucrative out of fear of losing it. In a financial sense, it may also refer to clinging to a career or company that you should be leaving because you're scared of losing the financial stability it provides. 

Health Interpretation (Reversed) 

The Eight of Cups reversed in a health setting may indicate that you are keeping yourself in a position that is harmful to your health. You must assess how your health is affecting you and what you can do to improve matters. You can enhance your health by altering your food, increasing your physical activity, or letting go of the things in your life that are giving you excessive stress. 

Spirituality Interpretation (Reversed) 

When the Eight of Cups reversed occurs in a Tarot reading in a spiritual setting, it suggests that you may be deficient in self-awareness or that your spiritual development is now hindered. To connect with your spiritual self and find your real-life path, you may need to conduct some soul-searching. If you feel yourself floating aimlessly through life, a spiritual connection may be able to help you see your path more clearly and give you the confidence and courage to let go of what no longer serves you.