Four of Cups

As you might know, I am a tarot enthusiast, so much so that I created a Tarot section on my Substack. But, despite the fact that I read about tarot and I use my cards almost daily, I have difficulties in writing about them.

I don’t know why, I think that maybe because I read so much about them, and there are so many resources out there, I am unsure of what I could write about that would bring anything interesting to read about. I am a novice after all.

I might just be shy, as I know so little, and there are so many interesting books out there.

I decided though not to allow this negative thought to take out my pleasure of writing about the tarot. So I took one of my decks, shuffle, shuffle, shuffle and pulled out a card that wanted to be written about.

As the title suggests, the card I drew is the Four of Cups.

I managed to find for you a nice big one so you can see all the details. The below card is part of the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck, which is the most popular deck out there and which I like the most.

In tarot you look at everything about a card. You look at the big things- like is it Major or Minor Arcana, the suit it belongs to, and the small things- the number, the colors, where it sits, the relationship with other cards, everything.

The cards in the Minor Arcana usually point to day to day events or situations, unlike the Major Arcana which reference well, major events! A bit of a tarot joke there for you!

I think, that if you were to look at the Four of Cups without knowing much about tarot it would reveal some of its meanings easily. Which just goes to show how accessible the tarot is!

The character on the card has withdrawn himself from the world and is alone, leaning against a tree, he sits his arms crossed as if in a defensive, sulking posture, he looks down ignoring the three cups he has and also the new one he is offered.

He seems to be closing himself from that which is around him and he is lost in thought.

The green of the grass, of the clothes show that the man is in a state of abundance or at least stability. The tree he leans against could be a tree of wisdom or a way of hiding from the world. The red of his shirt and shoes shows that the man has things he is passionate about, but now he is in a state of stagnation.

The blue, cloudless sky points to the fact that the dissatisfaction is internal and not provoked by outside factors, while the blue of the trousers shows the man is deep in thought about his situation.

The number 4 in tarot is a number of stability, security, pause, but it can also indicate complacency and a sense of being stuck.

The Suit of Cups is linked to the element of water which points to emotions, intuition and relationships. The Four of Cups shows the emotional stagnation side of the Cups suit, a temporary disengagement from feelings or relationships.

It can be burnout, it can be trying to remind us to appreciate the good things in our lives and make an effort to be grateful and not take people and things for granted.

The Four of Cups is a card of introspection, but also a warning not to ignore opportunities due to emotional detachment or dissatisfaction. It asks for a shift in perspective, what you seek might already be in front of you.

Another interesting aspect of this card is that it might validate the querent’s feeling of depression. In this type of situation the reader can provide guidance but it is their duty to advise the querent to seek additional, professional help if needed.

I mean, all of us have some good advice to provide to somebody that suffers from depression or even burnout but professional support is the best recommendation one can make.

I thought it would be interesting to show how you would read the Four of Cups in a reading, so here I go, just a few, small examples to help better understand the card.

Let’s say somebody wants to know more about their relationship and the card that they choose is the Four of Cups.

In love and relationships this card indicates that the querent might be emotionally withdrawn and disconnected to their partner, it invites the querent to take a good, deep look at their feelings and decide what is important to them and what causes the feelings of apathy and alienation.

In a work (career) reading it might indicate boredom or disatisfaction, being stuck in a routine, and it prompts the querent to analize the situaiton and see if this is a temporary situation or a bigger change is on the cards.

In a general, life, reading, the Four of Cups advises the querent not to focus on what is missing, but to be sure to see all that s/he has and not take them for granted. The querent should be more present in their life and to reconnect with thigns that brought joy previously, or discover new hobbies and activities.

The Four of Cups is a card of contemplation, but also a warning not to let dissatisfaction blind to opportunities. Whether in love, career, or personal growth, it asks to reconsider what we are overlooking and shift perspective.

Cool no? So much meaning in a tiny piece of cardboard.