Five of Cups as a Person (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Cups is the card of grief, loss, sadness, and disappointment. This card shows a man crying over three knocked down cups. He is so absorbed in his loss that he doesn’t see that he has two upright cups behind him. He is missing the opportunities that are still available to him. 

The Five of Cups reminds us that grief is a natural part of life. It is normal to grieve over our disappointments and failures. Challenges and losses are part of the journey. However, it is important to not be so wrapped up in the negative that we do not see the positive in our situation. The Five of Cups reminds us to authentically grieve, but also to see how we can use this moment as a learning opportunity to move forward.

Upright Five of Cups as a Person

If the Five of Cups appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is an ungrateful person who focuses on the negative rather than the positive. This person might also be haunted by regret and disappointment. It is astrologically associated with Mars in Scorpio. Because Mars carries a very masculine, active, assertive energy while Scorpio is a feminine sign with passive, receptive energy, this can be a conflicting energy. This person may struggle with inner conflict. We all have a little bit of both energies expressed in a balanced way, regardless of which gender we identify as.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Cups as a person represents someone who is never happy about their appearance. They may go back and forth to tweak their outfit for the day, or they may never be happy with the types of clothes and accessories that they’re able to afford. Nothing is ever enough for this person. They’re always nitpicking on the appearance of themselves and others, if they project their own insecurities unto others. Unfortunately because this card is a card of regret and disappointment, this person may often regret procedures they’ve had done, particularly if they are irreversible. If you draw this card in a reading about yourself, it advises you to love yourself.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Cups as a person represents someone who has a tendency to be negative and pessimistic. This is the person who will focus on what’s going wrong in a situation rather than what’s going right. They may believe that all their future partners will be like that one awful partner they had when they were a teenager. This person needs to understand that there’s a silver lining in every cloud, and they need to avoid making blanket statements. Alternatively, this may be somebody who romanticizes melancholy and sadness. It shouldn’t be a problem if they know how to direct and transmute that negative energy into something productive such as poetry, music, or literature.

For careers, the Five of Cups can represent someone who works as a problem solver, or they may salvage situations in some capacity. Alternatively, they may be the type to see difficulty in every opportunity that’s presented to them, rather than see opportunities in every difficulty. This is why they may struggle in their careers despite having a good start or being born outright privileged. This card is astrologically associated with Mars in Scorpio. They may be a surgeon, work in a fast-paced type of work such as finance or divorce litigation. They may even be a writer of the occult and the esoteric. Something about their profession will usually require them to be intense, sharp, or even aggressive. However, because Mars is at home in Scorpio, this person will be a natural at whatever they do, and they will usually absolutely love their job.

The Five of Cups as a person represents someone who makes you feel like everything is going wrong when it’s mostly going right. They may leave you frustrated with their blanket statements, especially if you feel judged by them. This is an “all or nothing” kind of person who can have a very black-and-white worldview. There’s no “in between” with this person. If you’re romantically involved with this person, the way this energy will impact you will depend on whether they’re new to you, or if you’re inquiring about an ex. This person needs to be careful that they don’t manifest negativity in their lives through the power of their own thoughts.

Reversed Five of Cups as a Person

If the Five of Cups reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is in such deep regret and sorrow over a past hurt or betrayal, that they can no longer fully function. They may suffer from severe depression and need medical attention. Alternatively, this person is in place in their life where they’re slowly healing from past regrets. Because this is a Minor Arcana card, some of these traits will not be inherent aspects of their identity. If they are behaving unfavorably, they might just be going through a temporary phase. It may be a behavioral pattern that they can still unlearn, if they choose to. Good or bad, nobody is perfect, and people can use their free will to change for the better.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who never dwells in regret when it comes to physical appearance or self-expression. This is a type of person who might upcycle previous outfits that may not have worked for them in the past. If their bodies have somehow changed for whatever reason, this person will take one of two directions: If they have a healthy sense of self worth and self esteem, they will just go with the flow, and accept this as a part of who they are. Alternatively, if they don’t like their body, they’re not going to dwell on it for long, and they will stoically make the necessary changes. This person can endure difficult workouts stoically. This person either has a perpetually sad look on their face, or they will appear to be stoic and unmovable. 

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who may have had deep regrets about a major event in their life, but they’re slowly moving on and focusing on the future. When this card is drawn in the reverse, it is as much a recovery and healing card as the Ace of Cups can be. They’re not the most optimistic person in the room, but they’re coping the best they can. If you’re romantically involved with this person, they may not be fully healed from previous relationships, but they’re not completely hung up on an ex. They could be completely over the ex as a person, but not completely over what the ex did to them. Because this card is astrologically associated with Mars and Scorpio, they could be holding a grudge or vengeful thoughts about the past.

For careers, the Five of Cups reversed can represent someone who works in helping others heal from their regrets, or help them make the best out of a negative situation. Because this card is astrologically associated with Mars and Scorpio, there could be something intense, or even violent or secretive about their occupation. However, because this card is drawn in the reverse, it usually indicates healing or moving toward a more positive direction. This person may work at a safe house or a shelter for domestic violence victims. Because Scorpio is a card of secrets, there might be something about their work that needs to be done clandestinely. They may work with privileged information that may only be used as a last resort, such as a military’s nuclear code. Or, their line of work may be considered taboo and requires discretion. 

The Five of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. They may inspire you with their determination to heal. This person may not be the most optimistic person you’ll ever meet, but you might end up respecting them in the end because they always do their best considering their circumstances. This is the type of person who can turn any tragedy into a good thing. Because this card is astrologically associated with Mars, they could carry a very proactive, “go getter” energy. They’re not going to exhaust you by dumping their problems on you. They tend to prefer to get on with life and move on. 

Conclusion

For love readings, the Five of Cups represents grief and loss. These challenges are a normal part of life and any relationship. It is not the fact that we have grief and loss that matters, but how we respond to it. The Five of Cups reminds us that we can turn our most difficult moments into learning opportunities. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.