Minor Arcana — Cups · Card Six
Six of Cups
Element: Water · Emotions, Relationships, Feelings
About Six of Cups
In a medieval garden, a young boy offers a cup filled with white flowers to a younger girl. Five additional cups filled with flowers surround them. The scene evokes a simple, innocent exchange of goodwill and affection.
Six of Cups Upright Meaning
\u2726 General Meaning
The Six of Cups represents nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence, and joy. You may be revisiting your past, reconnecting with old friends, or finding comfort in familiar experiences. This card can also indicate receiving a gift or act of kindness.
\u2665Love & Relationships
In love, the Six of Cups suggests reconnecting with an ex, childhood sweethearts, or a relationship that evokes the simplicity and innocence of young love.
\u2606Career & Finances
For career, this card indicates returning to a former employer, revisiting old projects, or finding professional inspiration in your roots and early career experiences.
\u271AHealth & Wellbeing
In health, the Six of Cups encourages reconnecting with activities that brought you joy as a child — play, movement, and carefree enjoyment of your body.
Six of Cups Reversed Meaning
\u2726 General Meaning
The Six of Cups reversed suggests living in the past, unrealistic nostalgia, or difficulty moving forward because you are clinging to memories.
\u2665Love & Relationships
Reversed in love, this card warns of idealizing past relationships, unable to see current partners clearly because of comparison to former loves.
\u2606Career & Finances
In career reversed, the Six of Cups indicates being stuck in outdated approaches, unable to innovate because of attachment to how things were done before.
\u271AHealth & Wellbeing
For health reversed, this card suggests neglecting current health needs because of attachment to former routines or abilities.
Symbolism of Six of Cups
The flowers in the cups represent memories blooming from the past. The children represent innocence and the purity of genuine emotion uncomplicated by adult concerns. The six cups together represent the complete emotional experience of the past.
Key Advice From Six of Cups
“Honor your past — it made you who you are. But remember that nostalgia can be a trap as much as a comfort. Take the best of your memories forward with you without letting them prevent you from creating new ones.”
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See Six of Cups in Action
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