Eight of Cups as Feelings in Love & Relationships (Upright & Reversed)

The Eight of Cups is the card of walking away, searching for truth, and letting go. The card shows a man walking away from eight cups in the foreground. The man has turned his back on these cups with a sense of loss and disappointment. He is leaving what he knows behind him. He is escaping at night, which suggests that there is an element of avoidance in his energy.  

The Eight of Cups reminds us that it is okay to let go and walk away when what is around you is no longer serving you or your needs. You do not have to stay out of duty or obligation. You have to do what is right for yourself. The Eight of Cups reminds us that there is no shame in walking away. 

Upright Eight of Cups as Feelings

If you are asking about how someone feels about you and you draw the Eight of Cups, it means that this person is questioning the state of your relationship right now. They are wondering whether or not it is something that they are truly happy with in the long term. They are in a philosophical state of mind, wondering if they can see themselves spending the rest of their lives with you. Are you someone who helps this person grow? Or are they only with you because they are scared of being alone?

This person may also be feeling like they are not getting what they want out of you. They want more than what you can offer right now, but they are finding it difficult to communicate their feelings and needs to you. They feel that if they leave now, they can save themselves the hurt of being abandoned once again.   

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Eight of Cups means that this person is feeling hesitant right now. They are unsure if this is the right relationship for them in the long term. They are trying to figure out how you fit into their life. Are you going to help them grow in the long term, or are they settling because they are scared to be alone? Alternatively, this person is afraid of intimacy and their own feelings for you. They run at the first sign of conflict. Until they deal with their own issues, this person is going to be difficult to engage with in a long-term relationship. 

For existing relationships, the Eight of Cups indicates that this person feels that your relationship is at a crossroads right now. They are trying to figure out if this relationship is what is best for both of you in the long term. They are going through a period of journeying and self awakening. They may also feel like their needs aren’t being heard or met by you. If this has any ring of truth to it, perhaps it is a good time to have an open and honest discussion about your relationship.  

If you are asking about an old flame or an ex’s feelings about you, the Eight of Cups indicates that they have moved on from your relationship. They feel that the cycle with you is complete, even if they were running from their own feelings. If you are asking about whether getting back together or reconciliation is an option, this is a sign that this person has things that they need to work through before that becomes a viable option. 

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Eight of Cups is a sign of hesitancy. This person is unsure of what your long-term future looks like, and they are scared to commit. They will not want to commit until these questions of theirs are answered fully. They may have abandonment issues and feel like if they do not commit any further, they will be able to save themselves the hurt of being abandoned once again. Communication is key to saving your relationship. 

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Reversed Eight of Cups as Feelings

When the Eight of Cups is reversed, it means that this person is feeling like they need to leave or move on, but they are scared to do so. There is still something that is holding them back. They are afraid to make a decision one way or the other, because they feel that it limits their options. Instead of taking a decisive stand, this person is hoping that someone else will make the decision for them. 

This person is also feeling scared of engaging with their feelings. They do not trust themselves, and they are full of fear. They are confused, and they do not know what is right or wrong. They have their head stuck in the sand. They are at a standstill. They are afraid to move forward or backward.

For singles and those in new relationships, the Eight of Cups reversed is a sign of feeling stuck. This person likes you a lot, but they aren’t sure if they want to move forward. There is something that is holding them back. They have not completely let go of their past baggage. They are still holding on. They want more options, not less. This person is not in the place right now where they are able to engage with their feelings openly, which is necessary for a healthy long-term relationship.  

For those in committed relationships, the Eight of Cups reversed is a sign of feeling like your relationship is missing something. You may have been fighting a lot and suffering from a lack of communication. Your partner is considering leaving the relationship, but they are scared to do so. They are also scared of engaging with their feelings. They do not trust themselves to make the right decision, so they are feeling stuck. They do not know how to move forward. You will need to initiate a conversation with them in order to move the relationship forward.

If you are asking about an ex’s feelings about you, the Eight of Cups reversed means that they are still hung up on you. They want to move on, but they can’t. At the same time, they are suffering from being scared of their own feelings for you. They don’t know what to do at this time. They are incapable of moving backward, yet they are too scared and stuck to move forward. This does not bode well for a true reconciliation. For a reconciliation or getting back together to work in the long term, they need to be clear about their feelings and needs. 

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Eight of Cups reversed means that they are feeling stuck. They do not want to leave the relationship, but they do not want to move it forward to the next level either. They are scared. They are burying their head in the sand and they are hoping that someone else will make the decision for them. They would rather do nothing than act. You need to have an open and honest conversation with them about your needs and boundaries. 

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Eight of Cups represents walking away and letting go of the past. Sometimes it is necessary for us to move on from what no longer serves us, in order to find our greater good. What may seem like a curse now may prove to be a blessing in disguise. The Eight of Cups reminds us that it is okay for you to let go of what is no longer serving you. You are not beholden to obligation and duty if it is not right for you. 

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.