Ace of Cups — Tarot Card Meanings

Traditionally, the Ace of Cups tarot card shows a chalice joyously overflowing with water. In the Rider-Waite illustration, the chalice is balanced on a hand outstretched from the heavens. The cup has five streams of water pouring out of it onto a lotus-covered lake. It’s a tarot card representing hope, new beginnings, and signals brighter days ahead.

Tarot Card Meanings: Ace of Cups

Upright: Love, joy, fulfillment, happiness, new beginnings, heart opening, divine gifts, abundance, intuition

Reversed: Repressed emotions, breakups, bad news, lack of self-care, sadness

In the tarot deck, aces represent the purest form of that suit or element. Cups are associated with water, and closely connected with emotion and spirituality. In The Hidden Church of the Holy Grail, Arthur Waite wrote, “The cup corresponds to spiritual life. It receives the graces from above and communicates them to that which is below.”

I’ve always thought the Ace of Cups was one of the prettiest cards in the deck. And, overall, the card feels like the universe or the divine is sending you the message that everything will be ok.

Ace of Cups Upright Meaning

In the upright position, the Ace of Cups represents positive messages of love, happiness, compassion, pleasure, self love, new beginnings, and fertility. Fertility can mean physical as in a birth or conception, or it can mean a new idea, innovation, or inspiration.

If the Ace of Cups appears in a tarot reading, it’s a sign that you should expect good news, joy, abundance, spiritual enlightenment, and positive experiences in your future. It indicates that it’s a great time for you to try and make new friends or that a blossoming new relationship might be just around the corner.

If you’re going through a difficult time, this tarot card suggests things are about to start going in your direction. Try to hope and trust that all will work out in a way you like. You might be surprised by what the universe has to offer.

Ace of Cups in Love

You know the beginning of a relationship, when you can’t get enough of each other? That’s the happy, overflowing energy the Ace of Cups embodies. Expect to be carried away by the pleasure of this innocent relationship when things are still new and fresh.

If you’re single, this card suggests this is a great time to go out and meet new people! Have an open heart, because you are likely to find a new romantic partner. Not only that, but you’ll be likely to connect with this person on a deep emotional and spiritual level.

For couples, it can mean a rekindling of those feelings you felt at the beginning or moving into a new phase of deep contentment within the relationship. If you’ve wanted to go back to those puppy love days, this card signals that if you focus on what’s good about your partner and your connection, the relationship may start to feel like it did when it was brand new. It could also mean that a wedding, engagement, or pregnancy is on the way.

If you’re looking for reconciliation, it suggests it’s possible. You two will have to let past hurts go and bring positive energy to the relationship, though.

As Feelings

As feelings or advice, it’s a sign that you represent joy, happiness, and fulfillment. If you focus on being a kind, compassionate, loving person you may find you attract others who bring that energy as well. After all, love tends to attract love!

If you’re wondering what your love interest’s feelings are for you, they’re feeling contentment, gratitude, happiness, and excitement towards you. This person might even have a hard time containing these feelings! Don’t put any pressure on the situation and let it continue to develop freely and easily.

As a Person

As a person, the Ace of Cups represents a person lights up a room. These romantic people are brimming with excitement, generosity, love, kindness, compassion, and comes to experiences with open heart. They’ve done the personal and spiritual work (even if they aren’t “spiritual”) and are ready to step into the next stage of their life – possibly with you! They make great bosses and excellent partners and friends.

Ace of Cups in Money and Career

If you’re looking for a new opportunity, the Ace of Cups is good omen! And, if you’re hoping for a financial windfall, this card indicates money is coming soon.

This could look like a monetary gift, a new business partnership, a new exciting project at work, the promotion you’ve been hoping for, or even a new job. No matter what, it should be one that you find fulfilling or will be what you’ve been looking for.

Ace of Cups Reversed Meaning

In the reversed position, this is not a good card to get in a tarot reading. If you see it in your spread, it suggests that a breakup, bad news, or sadness is coming.

You may receive it if you’ve rejected the divine gifts you’ve received or if you’re blocking or repressing your emotions. Try to find a healthy release so you can get back into flow.

It could also mean you’ve been spending too much time caring for others and not putting enough energy into your own self-care and self-love. (Cancers, I see you. Go take a relaxing bath.)

Take the time to take care of you, because as much as you may want to take care of others, you cannot pour from an empty cup. And, if you have, this is the universe thwacking you over the head that you need to fix this. Like, now.

Reversed (Love)

If you see this in a love reading, it may mean you’re pouring your heart out and not getting what you need in return. Or, that the emotions you are sharing are sadness, frustration, and that all positivity has flowed out of the relationship.

What can you do to turn the cup back upright? Are you giving yourself enough self-love? Are you bringing compassion, empathy, and joy to the relationship? Is your heart open or are you acting out of place of fear because you’re afraid of being hurt?

Reversed (Money and Career)

Ask yourself if you’re staying in a job that’s not satisfying you. Stability is important, but the card is encouraging you to consider what would really make you happy. Is there something you can do to take the steps toward making this dream a reality?

Correspondences

Playing Cards: Ace of Hearts

Element: Water

Astrology: Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius

Numerology: 1 and 10

Yes or No: The Ace of Cups is a yes! Not just a yes, but a joyful, exuberant, happy yes. It’s yes in all caps followed by ten exclamation points. Not a maybe and not a “sure” followed by a period.

* The tarot card meanings above may change depending on the surrounding cards. Different card combinations have a wide variety of meanings.