Seven of Cups -
Tarot Card Meaning
Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.
Written by Made Musings
SEVEN OF CUPS
At a glance:
Although there may be abundant opportunities, be cautious of deceptions and illusions of grandeur.
Upright Keywords:
Possibilities, decisions, dreams and desire, illusions
Reversed Keywords:
overwhelming options, looks can be misleading
Numerology:
7 - introspection, planning, analysis, wisdom
Seven of Cups: Upright Meaning
In the Seven of Cups, a person stands in awe before seven cups floating among the clouds, each containing a different item. Some cups hold enticing treasures, while others conceal dangers like monsters or curses. This imagery vividly illustrates the theme of choices and illusions where not everything is as it appears. When the Seven of Cups pops up in a reading, it signals a time of abundant opportunities, but it also warns that some options may be deceptive. It encourages careful consideration and discernment before making decisions. Don’t rush in making any important decisions right now.
Numerology and Suit Meaning:
In numerology, the number 7 embodies introspection, planning, and inner wisdom. Seven is a number linked to intuition, analysis, and a deep search for truth. It suggests that your journey to success will require careful planning and reliance on your inner compass.
The suit of Cups is associated with intuition, emotions, relationships, and love. Oftentimes, it also deals with spirituality and the subconscious.
Elementally, cups are connected to water. An easy way to remember is that cups hold water. Like emotions, water can be calm when it’s flowing in a gentle brook. However, it can also be destructive when it becomes a raging tidal wave.
Love/Relationships
The Seven of Cups love meaning suggests that you may be facing several choices or paths. This could involve selecting a partner, deciding between family obligations, or evaluating the future direction of an existing relationship. The card advises you to consider the long-term implications of your decisions and not be swayed by superficial attractions or temporary emotions. Take time to deeply reflect on your relationship goals and values. Have open and honest conversations with loved ones to align your future aspirations and ensure that your choices are grounded in reality. If you have met someone new, don’t rush into anything as The Seven of Cups is a reminder that not all is as it seems.
Money/Career
Beware of anything that might sound too good to be true. You might find yourself brimming with ideas for new business ventures, however, it’s crucial to focus and commit to a single path. While it’s beneficial to explore various options, spreading yourself too thin can lead to unfulfilled potential. Making hasty decisions can lead to half baked ideas or bad investments, such as a pyramid scheme.
Spiritual/Self
The multitude of choices and illusions represented by The Seven of Cups can reflect your inner state of confusion or uncertainty. This card suggests that you should discern what truly serves your higher purpose and let go of distractions. It’s okay to have ambition and lots of ideas, but don't get caught up in daydreaming. Engage in a deep journaling session or seek a second opinion to gain insight into your deepest desires and fears. Focus on practices that ground you and bring clarity, helping you to identify the best path forward. Remember, never sticking with it can lead to unfulfilled potential and a sense of feeling incomplete. If you're still having difficulty picking a direction, you may need to rely on your intuition to make a decision.
Astrology
The Suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water, which governs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These Zodiac signs are the masters of emotions, intuition, creativity, and transformation. Known for their empathetic and nurturing behaviors, these water signs promote the free flow of feelings as a means to reaching our highest forms of evolution.
Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.
Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Seven of Cups signifies a time to cut through the confusion and make definitive choices. Although the upright meaning is similar, the reversed version suggests that some of those options are just merely illusions. A reversed reading is more of a warning and a call to protect yourself: some of the choices in front of you do not serve your best interest, therefore you should take more care with your considerations. At the same time, don’t be paralyzed by indecision or chasing unrealistic dreams as that will only continue to cloud your judgment.
Meet the Made Musings Tarot Deck: The ultimate deck for beginners.
-
Our 78-card deck and comprehensive guidebook offer you the perfect tools for your daily readings.
Every set also comes with a velvet gift bag that serves dual functions. Use it as a stylish carrying pouch for your deck or a cleansing cloth in between readings.
Plus, this keeps your tarot cards in tip-top shape and means you can easily take them on-the-go.
-
Our compact 188-page guidebook, aptly named the Little Black Book, offers the meanings behind each Tarot allowing both beginners and experts to interpret effectively.
From the Author: “When I was learning Tarot, I always fumbled with the bigger books, so my readings didn’t feel quite as seamless. I felt inspired to write a small book that was easy to flip through in a pinch, yet full of information. I truly hope this book helps people wherever they are in their Tarot reading journey.”
HARDCOVER VERSION (newly updated for 2024!) - features 190 pages, color printed CMYK
PAPERBACK VERSION - features 188 pages, black and white pages
-
The Cards:
-2 5/8" x 4 3/4"
-gloss finish, gold edges
-card weight: 400g - a heavier card for those that prefer to shuffle slowly and methodically
-78 tarot cards PLUS a bonus lunar card.
Note: Illustrations are from the classic 1909 - 1910 deck that was hand-illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
-Deck comes packaged in a sturdy, slider box.
-Back of the cards features gold accents (true gold foil)
Deck Box
-3 1/8" x 1 3/4" x 5" h
-hardcover (best way to protect your cards!), features gold accents, slider closure
Velvet Bag:
-KNOT BAG fabric: smooth ribbed velvet, self-lined (option 1)
-DRAWSTRING BAG fabric: velvet, unlined (option 2)
-color: black
-You can count on either the luxurious velvet or the rib texture to stand up to the wear-and-tear of everyday travel.
CARD SUMMARY
Beware of anything that might sound too good to be true.
Learn More about Tarot.