Eight of Cups
The Eight of Cups depicts a cuttlefish navigating sinking cups, symbolizing a deliberate withdrawal from unsatisfying circumstances. It encourages leaving situations that no longer bring joy in order to seek deeper fulfillment and forward movement. Upright, it signals the need to move on and prioritize what makes you happy rather than remaining stationary. Reversed, it highlights indecision and the necessity to evaluate whether a situation can be salvaged, urging commitment to a chosen path and active effort to improve circumstances.
Keywords
Card Name
Eight of Cups
Animal
Cuttlefish
Fun Fact
Cuttlefish are intensely curious and intelligent members of the cephalopod family capable of changing their color and texture at will to perfectly match their environment. They are completely colorblind. Scientists believe they are able to perform this feat of color magic due to them being able to see polarized light.
Keywords
Abandonment, Escapism, Fatigue
Reversed Keywords
Stagnation, Monotony, Worthlessness
Meaning
A cuttlefish expertly navigates eight sinking cups as it descends deeper into the inky depths of the ocean. Cuttlefish are experts in maneuverability. They live fast and die young, twisting and turning through obstacles as they avoid predators and seek out food from every crevice they come across. The Eight of Cups is a card of withdrawal. It reminds us that escapism is sometimes necessary to achieve our goals, especially if we believe it’s the only way to get where we need to go.
Meaning — Upright
When upright, the Eight of Cups indicates that the user is feeling compelled to walk away from a situation that isn’t going the way they initially desired. You may be experiencing problems with your job or relationship. Things that used to bring you joy no longer elicit the same response. Something is missing, and you’ve come to the realization that this is not the sort of situation you can wait out. Don’t hesitate to leave for something better. It may not be a popular decision, but you know it’s what is best for you. Consider what makes you happy and move towards it. You won’t find satisfaction by sitting stationary. Keep moving forward and don’t look back.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Eight of Cups suggests that you are caught between staying or going, in regards to a situation currently making you unhappy. You need to deeply consider whether or not the situation is salvageable. Look within for the answer to this. You know what you want; is it possible to still reach your goals in your present position? If not, it may be time to move on. Commit to whichever course of action you decide to follow. Drifting along hoping for things to get better without actively working to improve them won’t yield you the results you want to see. Concentrate on finding a path that makes you happy, and the rest will follow suit.
Trailing Colon
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Visual Description
A luminous cuttlefish-like creature drifts against a star-speckled dark background. Eight wine-glass-shaped cups float around it, outlined in neon purples and pinks. Wavy vapor bands curl through the composition and tiny white dots suggest distant stars or bubbles. The title "EIGHT OF CUPS" appears at the bottom in yellow-orange lettering.
Oriens tarot
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