
This post is intended to be a mini Eight of Cups Tarot Guide. It is important to mention that the longer you work with the cards the more you will discover how they speak to you. For example, the Eight of Cups does have a theme and traditional meaning but I recommend leaving “space” for the card to speak to you. Over time, you may discover that the card represents unique insights or themes for you personally.
Suit of Cups Summary

Numerology of the #8 – Themes
- The Number 8 is the energy of the achiever, business sense, fortitude, balance, standing in our own power, and a drive for success.
- Positives of the Number 8 are ambition, goal-oriented, accomplishment, karmic balance, endurance, capable, patient and determination.
- Negatives of the Number 8 are materialistic, overly focused on personal reward, authoritative, dismissive of the views of others, entitled and ignoring rules and processes.
Eight of Cups Tarot – Upright Meaning
- Represents Mercury, mutable and Pisces energy
- The 8 of Cups represents someone who is on a spiritual journey of some sort – seeking their purpose or a new path.
- This card can also represent independence, karmic lessons and making a choice. The querent has decided to walk away from a disappointing situation and will not go back. This is a plan of strength like Daenyrus from Game of Thrones – she has her dragons and she is cool. There may be a period of deep reflection and a period of much needed solitude.
- Other interpretations of this card:
- Pay attention to that which is nourishing and trust intuition. Something in the querent’s life is no longer providing value and they should figure out what it is.
- The querent is ready for more independence and it’s time to leave what no longer serves them. Even if it is painful they should leave behind what is no longer needed.
Shadow Side of the Eight of Cups
- There are a few ways to interpret the 8 of Cups reversed
- One – It can often mean that the querent has shifted away from spiritual pursuits to focus on the material plane and pleasures.
- Two – This card reversed can also indicate that the querent is wandering from experience to experience but there is no purpose behind it. They are drifting and feeling aimless.
- Three – The seeds that the querent has planted are growing and they will see progress, success and prosperity.
- Four – This card can also represent a situation where the querent has been away or traveling and is now looking for a place to call home.
- Five – the querent is actively looking for a place to call home.
- Question to consider – Are you running away from something or avoiding responsibility in some way? It will be important to get clear on the situation so you can change the situation moving forward instead of falling back on old patterns and habits.
Where to Find the Tarot Decks In Pinterest Pins Linked to this Post
- The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham
- Tarot Familiars by Lo Scarabeo
- Oraculum Leviathan: Draconian Tarot Deck & Grimoire by Asenath Mason and Bill Duvendack
- Tarot Apokalypsis Deck by Kim Huggins and Eric C. Dunne
- Tarot of Pagan Cats by Lo Scarabeo
- Light Seer’s Tarot Deck by Chris-Anne
- Tarot of the Ages by Mario Garizio
Artist Attribution
- Featured image Photo by Kristina Stepanidenko on Unsplash
References
- My own experience
- The Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham
- Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wenn
Disclaimer
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