# Six of Cups ![Six of Cups, classic RWS illustration](https://tarotatlas.wiki/media/cards/six-of-cups.webp) 6 / Cups [Compare this card ↗](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/compare/?left=six-of-cups) [Cups](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/suits/cups/) Classic RWS illustration · Modern interpretations ## Study notes ### Upright Remember the comfort of familiarity, kindness and the past. ### Reversed Attachment to the past can compete with independence and change. ### A common misreading Nostalgia is not evidence that an old relationship will return. ### Picture cue One child offers a flower-filled cup to another. ### An interpretation for study The description connects the children and flowers with innocence, generosity and familiar comfort. The complete passages below describe this edition’s interpretive themes. Possibility and symbolism are different from evidence about real events. ## Upright meaning nostalgiamemoriesfamiliarityhealingcomfortsentimentalitypleasure The Six of Cups upright generally represents generosity, naïve happiness, and childhood. It can stand for you wanting to return to a happier time, whether it was when you were a child, teenager, or young adult. Many times, these memories are things of the past, which reflect the aspects of ourselves that have vanished. You may feel that remembering these times is the only way to feel happy. The Six of Cups appearing in a reading seems to indicate that while we may look upon the past with a happy eye, we must avoid living in it. The Six of Cups can also mean that you are be returning to a familiar place. This could be your hometown, an old friend’s home, a school, or any place that holds a lot of meaning for you. You are seeking to reconnect with people from your past. Bringing back old memories reminds us of our childhood, a time when things were simpler. Coming after the Five of Cups, this card can also suggest that you may have suffered a loss or disappointment of sorts, and you are making the journey home. You are looking to the past to find the answer to the crisis or challenge that you are facing now. You may be seeking the comfort and warmth of people that unconditionally love you, gathering strength to face the trials that are in front of you. ## Reversed meaning stuck in pastmoving forwardleaving homeindependence The Six of Cups reversed can mean that you are clinging to the past. You should explore your memories, but you should not allow yourself to remain there. While you may find it comforting to be in the security of home, you must also learn to forge your own path. The past should be used as a guide for the future, not as a space to remain and linger. Learn to focus on the present and ground yourself in the moment. Another reading of the Six of Cups reversed is that you may feel as though you are disconnected from your childhood self, and that child's dreams, which may sometimes be unrealistic. Not reaching these goals can be painful, but sometimes reality carves a path for you that you must follow, and you shouldn't blame yourself for your choices. Take the time to think about where you want to be now and how you can reach your goals, instead of just dreaming about them. ## In the illustration The Six of Cups symbolize the joy of nostalgia, the comfort of home and childhood innocence. In the card itself, there are six cups filled with white flowers. Two children are depicted in the foreground, and one is passing a cup to another. This handing of the flowers from the boy to the girl shows the passing of traditions and happy reunions. The children seem to be in a castle of sorts, that we can imagine give them a sense of security and comfort. ## Meanings in context These passages explore how the same symbolic themes are applied to different subjects. They are interpretive perspectives, not findings about a person or a future event. Love and relationships＋ ### Upright meaning The past comes alive again with the 6 of Cups tarot love meaning. This card can signal a revival of the past and the nostalgia that comes with it; you may be exploring happy memories, you may be more appreciative your partner’s sense of familiarity, or an ex can even reappear in your life again. The 6 of Cups can also represent a time of healing after wounds, and comfort may be important to you now. If you and your partner have had a stressful period in your relationship, looking backwards at the great times you spent together, and perhaps reliving them, can bring you great comfort. Beware however, of living only in the past. Let the past nourish your future; they are lessons to show you what you want to remain in your life, and what you wouldn’t. ### Reversed meaning With the reversed 6 of Cups tarot love meaning, you may be living in the past instead of the present. It is likely that a past relationship has been limiting you from opening yourself to love and making room in your heart for someone else. You may believe that you will never meet someone like your ex again, or that the love you once had was something of legend. It can be rather unfair for current or potential partners to be with someone who lives this way. Exes are exes for a reason; you may be only seeing the happy memories, and not the tumultuous ones. Let the past go. Otherwise you may be blocking out all possibility of love again, and you may never know whether the love that you are meant have was even greater than the one you lost.Career and work＋ ### Upright meaning The six of cups often represents childhood, memories, and healing. When it comes to your career, now may be a good time to look backwards on the path that got you here. This card can be a signal that your past work can hold great lessons you need to learn for building your future. Think back on what you did right, as well as ensure that you aren’t repeating mistakes from your past. Alternatively, this card can signal that you may be reconsidering your career path, and perhaps returning to a position that you had once left. ### Reversed meaning The reversed six of cups can suggest that your work has become stale, and that progress in your career has perhaps stalled. You may be so frustrated from this stifling atmosphere that you are in the process of searching for a more exciting position or field of employment. There can be the desire to leave the security and comfort of your current position. Alternatively, you may be choosing to remain in the comfort of your current position to avoid the risks of searching elsewhere. In general, there is an important lesson that needs to be learned when this card is in reverse. Beware of repeating any negative patterns that may have followed you in your past workplaces; regardless of where you go, your own behavior often can recreate the same problems again if it is not dealt with.Money and resources＋ These passages describe attitudes toward resources. A card cannot establish a financial outcome or determine whether an investment is suitable. ### Upright meaning The goodwill of the six of cups can relate to your finances in a number of ways. At times, this card can signify a gift or donation, or simply a sharing of resources. This card is also related to childhood and home, signifying that this sharing may come from family members. You may be returning to your parental home, giving you the ability to save your own funds more, while being amongst the comfort of those that love you. Alternatively, you may be on the other side of this, and welcoming family back into your own home, while sharing resources. ### Reversed meaning Upright, this card is a sign of childhood and past memories. When reversed, the six of cups signifies that you are ready to set out on your own. This card is common for people who live at home but are ready to move out. It symbolizes that you are becoming financially mature. If you’ve been living with parents or others, you have better learned how to save and manage your funds, and you now have the discipline to make a life for yourself. These changes can be scary but necessary; enjoy the freedom that this brings you!Feelings＋ A feelings interpretation cannot establish what another person thinks or feels. Compare the theme with direct communication and observable behaviour. ### Upright meaning In a tarot reading, the upright six of cups signifies feelings of nostalgia, memories, and comfort. This card often represents a sense of longing for the past or a deep connection to childhood memories. It can indicate a time of emotional healing and finding solace in familiar surroundings. In the context of relationships romantic or otherwise, the emotional connection can be described as simple and natural; you may find it easy to connect and relate to one another. ### Reversed meaning A reversed 6 of Cups can indicate a sense of nostalgia or longing for the past, but with a hint of sadness or regret. You may be romanticizing a past relationship, remembering only the happy moments, and feeling a sense of loss that it has ended. It is the feeling of being stuck in the past. Sometimes, this card can also suggest unresolved issues from childhood or past relationships that are resurfacing and need attention. On a less serious level, this card can simply be associated with feelings of boredom and apathy; that life has become repetitive.Actions＋ ### Upright meaning In terms of actions, the 6 of Cups suggests that the best course of action is embracing sentimentality and finding joy in simple pleasures. It encourages you to engage in activities that bring you comfort and happiness, whether that involves spending time with loved ones, revisiting old hobbies, or creating new memories that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The past can be a source of inspiration right now; this card encourages us to reconnect with our inner child. ### Reversed meaning When it comes to actions, the reversed 6 of Cups suggest a tendency to dwell on the past or hold onto outdated beliefs and behaviors. You may be struggling to let go of old patterns, even if they are doing harm to your current situation. This card encourages taking proactive steps to break free from the past and embrace new opportunities for growth and transformation. These meanings describe interpretive traditions. Use them for study and reflection; they do not establish facts about future events. [Study guide →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/study-guide/)[Practice with flashcards →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/learn/)[Explore all spreads →](https://tarotatlas.wiki/en/spreads/)