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

The Six of Cups is the card of childhood, nostalgia, comfort, and familiarity. The card shows a young boy leaning down and passing a cup filled with flowers to a young girl. The girl is happy and grateful, looking back to the boy with love. This shows the passing of traditions, happy reunions, and childhood innocence.  

The Six of Cups reminds us that our inner child is important in a meaningful relationship. When we are with someone who we truly love and trust, our inner child will feel free to roam and play. Listen to your innermost self, as your young self is deeply in touch with your intuition. Your child self is young, but they are also wise. 

Upright Six of Cups as a Person

If the Six of Cups appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person still has their childlike innocence about them, although they are not immature. They may also be giving, and derive pleasure from sharing what they have with others. Alternatively, this card may also signify somebody who lives in the past. It is astrologically associated with Sun in Scorpio, which rules shared finances and giving, but also grudges, and secrets. Because the Sun carries a very masculine, active, assertive energy while Scorpio is a feminine sign with passive, receptive energy, this card can carry conflicting energies. 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 Six of Cups as a person represents someone who may look more youthful than their biological age. While some may attribute this to good genes, it could be due to the lack of stress this person has experienced in their lifetime. Their fashion sense may be inspired by the past, they may really enjoy thrifting and wearing vintage pieces. They may like frills, pastels, and bright colors. Or, they may enjoy incorporating cartoon characters or pop culture icons from their childhood into their style, on their shirts, in their aesthetic. Alternatively, it could be that because they don’t allow themselves to stress over the small things, they’re able to exude a more positive aura. You may notice that animals and small children are drawn to them because of their positive energy.

For emotional characteristics, the Six of Cups as a person represents someone who is emotionally generous. They can be selfless, kind, and giving in an almost innocent, childlike way. If this is somebody that you care about, you may be frustrated and protective when they let others take advantage of them. Because this card is astrologically associated with the Sun and Scorpio, they can be generous with their resources and have an excellent memory. They value beautiful memories, and may be the type to keep scrapbooks and journals. However, they can also be extremely sensitive, and they will usually remember past hurts.

For careers, the Six of Cups can represent someone who works with the past, family heritage, children, and history in any capacity. They could be a therapist or spiritual healer who specializes in healing childhood wounds. They may also work in any of the Scorpio or 8th House lines of work such as finance, banking, family law, divorce law, or they may work with subjects that are traditionally considered taboo. For example, they may be a sex ed teacher. This person may also work as a technician at a DNA or ancestry lab, or they may be a historian or genealogist. Whatever they do, emotional fulfillment and satisfaction, and the knowledge that they’re touching souls and changing lives is very important to them.

The Six of Cups as a person represents someone who makes you feel childlike. Alternatively, because the Six of Cups is the card of past lives, you may feel like you’ve met this person before. So, if you are romantically involved with this person, this card may hint at a past life relationship. Of course, because this card is astrologically associated with Scorpio, this relationship will feel very intense. The first time you meet them, you might confuse yourself because you feel like you’ve seen them somewhere and you’re recognizing someone you’ve met before. You may also just feel comfortable and “at home” with this person very early on.

Reversed Six of Cups as a Person

If the Six of Cups reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person may be dealing with some deep childhood traumas. Because this card is astrologically associated with the Sun in Scorpio, these traumas can be quite dark and difficult. 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 Six of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who is stuck in the past. Like the Nine of Wands person, who dresses a certain way as a coping mechanism, their style may reflect childhood traumas in some extreme cases. This person may dress inappropriately, as there can be something immature to their approach to style and fashion. For example, they could have a narcissistic stubbornness to “rebel” against dress codes. Perhaps in their youth, they were bullied for dressing a certain way, and they’re taking it out in their adulthood by dressing inappropriately for the shock factor. Alternatively, this person may have an issue with accepting the natural process of aging, and there they constantly glorify the way they looked when they were younger.

For emotional characteristics, the Six of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who either is trapped in the past and refuses to move on, or has unprocessed baggage and traumas from their childhood. There’s a sense of “unfinished business” with his person. Considering this card is astrologically associated with the Sun in Scorpio, this person may have a tendency to be quite vengeful and hold grudges. Alternatively, they glorify their past and live in it. Whichever may be the case, in the reverse, they may resort to unhealthy ways of dealing with their issues. If they were abandoned by a parental figure in their formative years, instead of going to therapy, they might seek out to relive their childhoods through their romantic partners, for example.

For careers, the Six of Cups reversed can represent someone who works in any of the fields related to the Six of Cups upright. However, their immaturity and lack of professionalism may stymie their career at the workplace. This person may literally throw temper tantrums at the workplace. Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, which can represent explosive and intense anger. Alternatively, this person may be required to work with children, but they are terrible at it. For example, they could be a very grumpy bus driver that scares all the kids. If they are in a cyclical industry, such as entertainment, music, or modeling, they reminisce about their heyday and get very threatened by new talent rather than mentoring them.

The Six of Cups reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel like you’re babysitting this person. If they’re not immature for their age, they will either brag or lament about the past. But instead of being endearing like when you hear your grandma or a war veteran recounting stories of their youth, you’re left bored to tears. Everything is a humble brag. With the influence of Scorpio’s energy, everything is also somebody else’s fault. Since Scorpio also rules finances, this person may be the type who refuses to grow up, is irresponsible with their personal finances, and ends up draining and burdening you.

Conclusion

For love readings, the Six of Cups represents nostalgia and familiarity. With someone you truly love and trust, your inner child will want to come out and play. Being able to be this comfortable with someone is an amazing sign for any relationship. Remember that your young self is wise, as it stays close to your intuition. 

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.