Ace of Cups: Tarot Card Meaning

Meaning of the Ace of Cups card upright

A hand from a cloud holds a cup that overflows with five streams of water, and a dove brings a wafer to it. This is the pure gift of feeling: a new love, a surge of compassion or a creative spring. The card tells you to open your heart and accept what is offered.

Ace of Cups reversed

• suppressed feelings
• emotional closedness
• emptiness

Reversed, the Ace shows feelings held back, a closed heart or an emotional emptiness. You may be afraid of being hurt, or tired of giving. Allow yourself small, safe moments of warmth to start the flow again.

Ace of Cups in love and relationships

In love it is the start of a relationship, a heartfelt declaration or renewed tenderness in a couple. Reversed, a love that is not allowed to grow, or emotional distance.

Ace of Cups in work and finances

At work it means work that you love, a creative inspiration and a warm atmosphere in the team. Reversed, a job that has gone empty or creative burnout.

Symbolism of the Ace of Cups card

The overflowing cup is abundance of feeling. The dove is the Holy Spirit and peace. The lotus on the water is purity, and the five streams are the five senses that open the heart.

Ace of Cups in a yes or no reading

In yes or no spreads, Ace of Cups upright reads as “yes” and reversed as “yes”. The answer comes from the general meaning of the card (new love, an emotional beginning), so always take the wording of the question and the neighbouring cards into account. Try a yes or no reading.