The traditional RW image on the Four of Cups tarot card is strange.
What is that hand doing? Where is it coming from??? You’ve got a guy so focused on what’s directly in front of him that he doesn’t see the disembodied zombie hand coming out of the sky!
That’s such an apt way of depicting this message, which is about feeling so unfulfilled and bored with your life you’ve become blind to the gifts and opportunities in front of you.
This card is about pulling away from the “normal” day-to-day and focusing on the wild and creative part of you that sits deep inside instead. The way to cure your apathy and ennui is by diving within yourself to identify your core values, passions, and desires and then bring your anchored sense of identity to life with passion and enthusiasm without caring about what anyone else thinks.
When you are on the right path, you’ll can grab at the synchronicities and gifts in front of you to create your own opportunities.
Keywords for the Four of Cups Tarot Card
- Boredom, apathy, feeling unfulfilled
- Meditation, withdrawal, looking within
- An unexpected offering
- A missed opportunity or blind spot
Keywords for the Four of Cups Reversed
- A breakthrough
- A new outlook or direction
- New and unexpected creative ideas
Patterns and Correspondences of the Four of Cups Card
- The Cups suit = rules the emotions
- Suit of cards = hearts
- Timeline = weeks to months
- Number 4 = practical foundations
- Zodiac sign = Cancer
- Element = Water
Keep reading for sample tarot readings using The Four of Cups card, but first…
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Four of Cups Tarot Card Meanings for Love
In all cases, the Four of Cups card is telling you to go inside for your answers and to put into action what you see there.
Love yourself unconditionally so you can show the same depth of love to others. Be open to receiving the love that is given to you with a receptive awareness and a clear heart.
If you are having relationship problems, first realize you can’t change anyone else. You can only change your own thoughts, words, and behaviors. Look within yourself to see what part you play in these patterns. (If you feel stuck, journaling, role-playing, and therapy really help).
And if you are looking for a new relationship, you may be overlooking someone who is right under your nose! Instead of looking for your “ideal” mate or the “right” person, take a clear inventory of the wonderful people already in your life. Don’t be so blinded by what you don’t have that you miss out on what you do.
Four of Cups Tarot Card Meanings for Work
If you are feeling bored and dissatisfied with your job, it’s time to change something up!
Start by asking yourself some tough questions: Are you truly living the life you imagined for yourself? Or have you settled for what was easiest or expected of you?
Identify one simple and tiny change you could take to get yourself closer to your ideal situation. Then take action and turn that one step into reality.
This is not the time to barrel gung-ho into a new project or activity. Instead, take it slow. Spend time quietly contemplating and exploring your options. Make one small step and then re-evaluate. It is your responsibility to understand everything happening in your environment before you make a permanent decision. You don’t want to miss that creepy hand coming at you!
Four of Cups Tarot Card Meanings for Health
Take time to nurture yourself. When it comes to your health, there may be many options you aren’t seeing or considering. Explore ALL of your options before making a decision.
The Four of Cups is a reminder that we can get so lost in our fears and expectations we miss out on what’s sitting right in front of our face. Take a good look at your environment, your habits, your support circles, and your daily activities.
Consider the small steps you could take toward greater health and take action on the first small change. Watch out for synchronicities and opportunities that seem to pop out of nowhere as you continue to take small actions toward your goals. This is going to be a slow-but-steady change, not an overnight transformation.
Four of Cups Tarot Card Meanings for Money and Finances
Beware! There may be an opportunity, gift, or message right in front of you that you are missing.
You have so many things to be grateful for in your life. You are surrounded by people who want to help you and opportunities that will require you to grow in the right direction.
Don’t do anything rash at this time. This is the time for careful consideration, small steps toward your goals, and constant re-assessment. As you walk this path, you will be assisted through opportunities that seem to “come out of nowhere.” You’ll know you’re on the right path when those opportunities are in alignment with your goals.
Four of Cups Tarot Card Meaning for Spiritual Guidance
When you are feeling spiritually apathetic or disconnected, the Four of Cups reminds you that you already have all of the answers you need. You’re just not seeing them.
Instead of stewing over what you already know (or think you know), look in new directions.
Explore your spirituality by becoming familiar with the other religions and spiritual traditions of the world. You’re not looking to change your own beliefs or “jump ship” to something new. Instead, you will strengthen your beliefs when you compare them to and contrast them with the beliefs of others.