The Ace of Cups card represents the true love and emotional fulfillment that everyone is searching for. This card can mean that an outpouring of love is coming your way, but it can also show that you’re the one who needs to take an emotional risk and express your love towards others.
This card is a great sign for relationships of all kinds, whether you’re looking to start something new or build a deeper connection with others in your life. It can also stand for the beginning of emotional events and creative opportunities of all kinds, since it’s the start of the suit of Water, the element of emotions.
When you see The Ace of Cups card reversed, it can mean it’s time to focus your love inward, and look at how you feel towards yourself. It can be a call to look critically at how you treat yourself and speak to yourself, and refocus on loving yourself.
The reversed Ace of Cups card can also mean that you’re repressing your emotions.
You may guard yourself against the harshness of the outside world by keeping your walls up and not letting people in. Maybe you’re afraid to express yourself because of how others will judge you, or perhaps you’re afraid of getting hurt.
It’s okay if you’re not ready to open yourself fully, but don’t bottle all your feelings up inside. Instead, find some way to express yourself creatively and come to terms with your emotions.
Once you understand your emotions better, you may be more willing to open up to the people close to you and express them outwardly.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, so let’s talk about how you can read your reversed Ace of Cups card. First, we’ll look at the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning.
When you read your cards like this, you’re looking for an obstacle standing in front of the card’s upright meaning. So, for The Ace of Cups, this means something is blocking your love, creativity, or ability to express your emotions.
Let’s say you pull the reversed Ace of Cups card while thinking about your romantic life.
You’ve been dating someone for a few months, and they want to take things to the next level. They want to see you regularly and exclusively, and have been trying to get you to open up and share more about yourself, but you’re hesitating to commit and really let yourself open up to them.
Here, the reversed Ace of Cups card calls you to look inward to see what’s keeping you from sharing with your partner and becoming more committed to the relationship.
Perhaps someone hurt you in the past, and you put up walls to protect yourself, walls that you’re not sure about dismantling. Maybe you’re afraid the two of you aren’t a good fit and you don’t want to get more invested because you feel like it won’t work out. Or maybe you’ve been through a lot in your life and you think your baggage will scare your partner off.
Whatever the reason, the Ace of Cups reversed suggests that the first step is looking inward to understand your feelings. Once you know why you’re hesitating, you can talk with your partner about why you’re not ready to move forward or decide to take a leap and let them in more.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
You can also read your reversed Ace of Cups card using the “opposite” card meaning. When you use this method, you’re looking for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
For The Ace of Cups, instead of love and compassion, you have resentment and indifference. You’re more than unhappy in your current situation, you’ve stopped caring and are angry about the circumstances.
Let’s look at the reversed Ace of Cups card when you’re thinking about your career.
Say you’re stuck in a job that is sucking you dry. You work 9-5 for a paycheck that barely pays the bills, and you aren’t being recognized for your hard work and commitment.
Even more, this job isn’t allowing you to express your creative talents, so you’re feeling frustrated and resentful. You sometimes think that your life is slipping away, and your unhappiness at work is bleeding into the other areas of your life.
Here, the reversed Ace of Cups card reminds you not to throw your life away working a job you despise. If you’re unfulfilled and unappreciated in your current position, it’s time to make a change.
Start reaching out to other professionals in your network or open yourself to recruiters on job websites. Look for open positions that catch your eye at a company that appreciates their employees.
You might also consider making a career shift by going back to school or taking a training course that will help you land a new job that’s a better fit and uses your natural talents.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Ace of Cups card is by using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you look at your cards like this, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
So, for The Ace of Cups, this means you’ve been expressing your love and emotions, but maybe your love is unrequited or you’re not being appreciated. There’s some unhealthy loving going on.
Say you pull the reversed Ace of Cups card thinking about your home life. You’re a stay-at-home parent, and you love your family.
The cooking and cleaning don’t bother you, and you actively support everyone in all they do. Your family loves you too, but lately, they’ve been taking your hard work for granted.
No one offers to help or says thank you, and it’s getting frustrating. Here, The Ace of Cups card reminds you to speak up when you feel unappreciated.
Talk to your partner about how you’re feeling and work with them to distribute the chores among the family. This will not only help them appreciate what you do every day, but it will also teach your kids about working hard and taking care of their home and belongings.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
You can also use the “no/not” meaning to read your reversed Ace of Cups card. When you read your cards this way, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
For The Ace of Cups, this means “no love” or “no emotions.” You’re in a situation that requires logic and common sense over sentiment. This isn’t the time or place for an emotional or overly creative approach.
For example, you might pull the reversed Ace of Cups card thinking about your finances. You’re very generous with your funds and like to be the one to treat the people in your life.
You’ve given out a few loans to family members, and you often pick up the tab when you’re out in a group. Here, the reversed Ace of Cups card can show that, while it’s beautiful to share your wealth, you need to look critically at what you’re currently capable of doing.
Perhaps right now you don’t have quite as much disposable income as you’ve had in the past, or you have things coming up you need to be saving for. The reversed Ace of Cups asks you to think about how you spend your money from a logical, unemotional place right now.
Sit down and look at your finances to see how much money you can continue to spend on others. It’s important to take care of your own stability, and taking care of yourself first means you can provide for others when they really need it in the future.