Six of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

Tarot, like astrology, has long been one of our favorite divination systems. Interpreting either takes practice. As you learn, we wanted to help you to quickly connect to the cards and use them in ways that are actionable and practical in every area of life. xoxo, Tali & Ophira

Co-authored by James Kerti

What does the Six of Cups tarot card mean?

The Six of Cups brings a feeling of nostalgia and remembering the past, especially your childhood. This card indicates a carefree spirit and generally connects with positive, happy memories.

Of course, this card is coming up for a reason. You’re invited to examine how the past may be influencing your current situation. Have you found yourself musing about your childhood a lot recently? If so, why is that? And what role is that connection playing in your life right now? As this card follows the Five of Cups, which represents loss and disappointment, it might be the case that you’re reminiscing about happier times.

This minor arcana card can also have a connection with a physical return to the past, such as visiting where you grew up, reuniting with childhood friends, or moving back to your hometown. If you’ve been thinking about exploring that type of activity, this card’s appearance may serve as validation.

What is the Six of Cups zodiac sign?

The zodiac sign of the Six of Cups is Scorpio

Six of Cups Tarot Guide

Keywords for the Six of Cups: Childhood, nostalgia, memories, youthfulness, reminiscing, sentimentality

Yes or No: Yes

Planet of the Six of Cups: Sun

Element of the Six of Cups: Water

What does the Six of Cups card mean in a love reading?

The Six of Cups can have a variety of meanings in a love reading.

The Six of Cups may indicate a connection to a childhood sweetheart—perhaps the person is the one you chose to be your life partner. If you’re single and looking for a romantic connection, you might even begin by perusing your yearbook—or looking up an old crush on social media.

If you’re struggling in your relationship, immaturity or childishness could be at the root of the problem. You’re invited to find ways to take a more responsible approach while also appreciating the happy times you’ve enjoyed together. Set boundaries with a partner who is acting out and forcing you to “parent” them by being the mature one. Conversely, if you’ve been playing games or creating messes in the relationship, this is a cue to clean up your act. Adults wanted!

Depending on the other cards in your spread, this minor arcana card might be a positive signal about having children—or spending quality time with the ones you already have. Share some of your favorite childhood experiences with the kids in your family.

What does the Six of Cups tarot card mean for career, money and finance?

The Six of Cups has a strong connection with the past. Its presence here means that looking backward can serve you in an important way.

Think about how you reached the current point in your career. In addition to deriving confidence from knowing that you put in the work to get here, you may identify valuable lessons that you missed along the way. These may be more relevant to your work now than before.

With this minor arcana card’s association with youth, it might be pointing toward doing work with children. Perhaps it’s time to cultivate an interest you had in your childhood. This could be the next step along your professional path.

What does the Six of Cups tarot card mean for health?

When the Six of Cups appears in a health reading, you might be called to take on a caretaking role for someone in your life.

If a person close to you is struggling with health issues, you’re encouraged to see how you can be of support, even if they’re having a hard time asking for it (or hiding the severity of their situation).

As this card represents childhood, it can also be a positive sign if you’re wanting to have children.

Six of Cups Tarot Card in Reverse Meaning

The Six of Cups, when pulled in a reversed position, can indicate that you’re holding on too tightly to the past. You need to let go in order to live your life to the fullest.

Is it possible that you’re living in the past in some way, either getting lost in reminiscing about times gone by or repeating old patterns that no longer serve you? The Six of Cups in reverse gently invites you to let go and adopt more supportive thoughts and behaviors.

If you’ve been thinking about leaving the past behind in a more physical way, such as by moving or disconnecting from social connections, the Six of Cups reversed position supports those choices.

Is the Six of Cups tarot card a yes or no?

This card’s joyfulness is ripe with positivity. The Six of Cups is a yes when it appears in a yes or no reading.

What does the Suit of Cups mean?

Cups are associated with water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces), which rule emotions and connection. Water signs carry a romantic, artistic, and intuitive energy, and people with those signs love to create and connect.

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Feature art by Diana Hlevnja