Four of Cups
The Four of Cups depicts a chambered nautilus resting on a chalice, symbolizing meditation, contemplation, and the golden-ratio mystery. Upright, it warns of apathy, stagnation, and missed opportunities, advising careful examination of commitments and openness to new possibilities. Reversed, it signals the end of stagnation and a return of enthusiasm and motivation, while urging introspection and reconnection with others. The card emphasizes paying attention to offers around you and balancing solitude with shared emotional honesty.
Keywords
Animal
Chambered Nautilus
Fun Fact
Chambered nautilus are related to cephalopods but are much longer-lived than their squid cousins, some species living up to 20 years old. They boast around 90 arms that let them latch onto fish, crabs, and dead animals that stray too close to them, and their eyes have been described as ‘pinhole cameras’, their vision cycling between blurry or dim depending on how they focus their pupils. They track mainly through their sense of smell instead.
Keywords
Apathy, Meditation, Weariness
Reversed Keywords
Enthusiasm, Awareness, Motivation
Meaning
A chambered nautilus rests upon a chalice as three other cups stand before it. Long believed to be symbolic of the golden ratio, one of life’s greatest and most profound mysteries, this sacred creature exudes a radiating golden aura as it ponders its ancient existence. The Four of Cups is a card of meditation and contemplation. Just as the nautilus pays no mind to the ornate richness of the chalice it sits on, we must keep in mind that opportunities are around us, so long as we pay attention to them enough to pursue them.
Upright Meaning
When upright, the Four of Cups symbolizes that the user is overall disinterested in the world around them. You see new opportunities coming your way, but you’re constantly turning them away. You’re at a point in your life where you’re stagnant and apathetic, and nothing is catching your interest. Your motivation feels far gone, but they’re merely tempered down for now. Carefully examine your current workload and turn down projects that don’t coincide with your overarching goal. And keep an open mind. Even though you’re feeling complacent or unmotivated, study the next opportunity that comes your way before dismissing it. Doing something new could be just what you need to pull yourself out of this rut.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Four of Cups suggests that the user’s season of stagnation is coming to an end. You’re finally leaving that rut behind, and it’s time to start over fresh. A new wave of enthusiasm is overtaking you, giving you a long-needed boost of energy to chase your goals. It’s also time for some introspection. Take time to recharge yourself, but be mindful that you don’t sequester yourself from those who care about you. You may need to reassess your current path to find excitement in it again, and if you are struggling in a relationship, try to open yourself up to your partner to share the feelings you are afraid to share. Be mindful of how your isolation can affect others, but ultimately you should take this time to focus on your inner peace of mind.
Trailing Colon
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Visual Description
Against a star-speckled black field, three ornate chalices stand in a row along the lower third of the image. Above them hovers a large, striped nautilus-like shell with tentacle-like fronds, perched on an intricate, dripping stand that connects visually to the cups below. Tiny golden dots radiate outward from the shell, creating a halo of light. The printed words "FOUR OF CUPS" appear at the bottom of the card.
Oriens tarot
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