The Ten of Cups card is the last numbered card in the Cups suit, which rules the emotions. That means The Ten of Cups is the card of complete emotional fulfillment.
This card is wonderful for relationships of all kinds, but it’s particularly associated with family, showing that everyone is getting along in harmony. You’ll also see The Ten of Cups tied to happy family events like weddings, parties, and reunions.
When you see The Ten of Cups card reversed, it can mean you’re seeking a deeper connection with your family and loved ones. Something is keeping you from being as close as you would like, or there is an obstacle preventing you from being together in harmony.
Maybe you had a falling out, maybe there’s a world-wide pandemic keeping you apart, or maybe it’s something smaller like a communication breakdown. It’s also possible that you have unrealistic expectations for your relationships.
You might expect everything to be perfect, but you haven’t done the work necessary to strengthen your bonds. The reversed Ten of Cups card reminds you that healthy relationships require you to be open, honest, and thoughtful.
The reversed Ten of Cups card can also show up when you’re thinking about what relationships mean to you. Look inward to understand your values and what you expect out of those closest to you. Don’t downgrade your needs and make sure you’re being honest with yourself before entering something new.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, let’s jump into how you can read your reversed Ten of Cups card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning.
When you read your cards this way, you look for an obstacle blocking the card’s upright meaning. So for The Ten of Cups, this can mean something is blocking the harmony and happiness in your family life.
For example, you might pull the reversed Ten of Cups card thinking about financial problems. You’re married with three kids, and things have been very tight this past year.
You just recently had your second & third child (surprise twins!), and it seems like everything is more than twice as expensive. Your partner isn’t working right now because she’s home with the little ones, so you’re bringing in the money and feel the weight of that responsibility on your shoulders.
It seems like you can’t stretch your budget far enough, and you’re fearful of what that means for your future. This is causing a lot of strain between you and your partner, and things aren’t as happy as they should be in the wake of your new babies.
Of course, she’s exhausted and overwhelmed herself. Here, the reversed Ten of Cups card shows you must deal with this stress so you can welcome peace back into your lives.
Ask a friend or family member to watch the kids for an evening and spend some time together with your wife looking over your finances. Be realistic about what your priorities are in this phase of your lives together.
You can also discuss the possibilities for other sources of income. It won’t be easy, but by working together and being honest with each other, you can strengthen your family unit and fall even deeper in love.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Ten of Cups card is using the “opposite” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you’re looking for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
For The Ten of Cups, this means instead of harmony and that happy-family feeling, you have dysfunction and strained relationships.
Say you pull the reversed Ten of Cups thinking about your work environment. You work in an office as a claims adjuster, and it’s completely toxic.
The other women in the office have been there for years, and you just started a few months ago. They talk about you behind your back and don’t let you take part in any decisions.
Even worse, you think they’re working together to get you in trouble, as they always blame you when things go wrong. Here, the reversed Ten of Cups card shows you don’t have to tolerate this behavior and you have options.
You can try talking to them face-to-face about how you’re feeling and let them know you won’t accept being treated this way. You can also go to management if things don’t improve. If management doesn’t have your back, you’ll want to start looking for other opportunities.
As sad as it is, sometimes people are just stuck in their ways, and if this is how the entire office has been operating for years, staying here might only pull you further into a bad situation. You don’t need that kind of bad energy in your life.
Reading this card using the “worse” reversed card meaning
You can also read your reversed Ten of Cups card using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards this way, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
For The Ten of Cups, this means you have love and family in your life, but maybe your relatives are the ones making things difficult.
For example, you might pull the reversed Ten of Cups card thinking about your romantic life.
You have a boyfriend you love very much. The two of you have been together for about six months, and things are getting more serious, so you introduced him to your family.
The problem is that your family is very well off and they tend to look down on people who don’t have as much as they do. They’ve worked hard for their success and are highly educated and expect the same of others.
Your boyfriend is a very talented musician, and he’s been playing and touring successfully for years. Your partner also never went to college because it didn’t align with his personal goals, and while you have no problem with that fact, your family thinks differently.
After meeting your boyfriend, they’ve been meddling in your relationship, encouraging you to break up with him and find someone “better.”
Here, the reversed Ten of Cups card tells you not to pay any mind to your family’s interference. They want what’s best for you, but they’re way off-base here. As long as you’re happy in your relationship, that’s all that matters. Don’t let their expectations determine your decisions.
Reading this card using the “no/not” reversed card meaning
Finally, you can use the “no/not” meaning to read your reversed Ten of Cups card. When you read your cards like this, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
For The Ten of Cups, this can mean “no family.” You might be in a situation that you have to face on your own, figuring things out as you go, without your usual support system.
Say you pull the reversed Ten of Cups card thinking about buying an RV and traveling during your retirement. You’re very close with your family and have always relied on their advice and support.
But you’ve been working hard and are almost ready to retire, so you’re thinking about your next steps and what you want out of life. You have friends who snowbird in an RV-community in south Florida that you really want to visit, but all of your family is in Colorado, so you’re hesitant to leave.
Here, the reversed Ten of Cups card tells you that to fulfill your potential and get where you want in life, sometimes you have to take a risk without your family. They will always be there to support you, but now is the time to spread your wings and taste freedom.
Don’t let the fact that your family won’t be physically close stop you. If you let this chance pass you by, you will likely regret your choice later on.