Five of Cups
Welcome to season 9 of this podcast, where I am talking all about the Suit of Cups. I’ll be going through each card in the suit, one per episode.
What we explore in this episode:
How the Five of Cups speaks to grief, disappointment, and the tension between regret and healing
Symbolism across decks: spilled cups, sorrowful figures, broken hearts, and overlooked blessings
Why this card asks us to feel our feelings fully before we can move on
The power of shifting perspective without bypassing what hurts
Pictures from the decks I talked about today referenced from left to right:
The Goddess of Love Tarot Deck: A Book and Deck for Embodying The Erotic Divine Feminine by Gabriela Herstik and illustrated by Julia Popescu
Therapists Who Tarot Deck, Prompts by Dreya Blume and Images by Rebecca Bloom
In this episode, we dive into the murky waters of the Five of Cups. This card often meets us in the aftermath or after something has gone wrong, fallen apart, or simply not worked out the way we hoped. Across decks, we often see a figure focused on spilled cups while two still stand behind them. This card sits at the heart of the suit, in the tension between heartbreak and healing.
It asks us to feel what we’re feeling fully before we move on. Not to wallow, not to bypass, but to acknowledge the pain with honesty and presence. What have we lost? What are we still holding onto? What is quietly waiting for us to notice it again?
This card doesn’t rush us into gratitude. It reminds us that transformation begins in truth. That looking at what hurts is the first step toward remembering what’s still possible.
Check out my other seasons!
Season 1 - Tarot basics
Seasons 2 & 3 - Major Arcana and 4 suits
Season 4 - Tarot in Pop Culture
Season 5 - Tarot Spreads
Season 6 - Suit of Wands
Season 7 - Suit of Pentacles
Season 8 - Suit of Swords
Today's Tarot Pull:
From The Citadel: A Fantasy Oracleby Fen Inkwright, I pulled The Brawler (reversed). In the upright position, The Brawler is about confrontation, strength, and direct action. But reversed, this card warns of unspoken tension and the emotional cost of avoiding conflict. Healing begins not with bypassing discomfort, but with facing it honestly. When we bottle things up instead of naming them, the rupture doesn’t disappear; it just waits for the next chance to spill over.
It asks: Where are you suppressing your truth in order to keep the peace? What happens when you bottle things up instead of speaking them aloud?
Reflective prompts on this card:
What story am I still telling myself about what I’ve lost?
What would it take for me to turn around and see what’s still standing?
Where am I avoiding conflict or emotional truth in the name of “peace” and what would it feel like to gently face it?
Ways to Connect & Support
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Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup: If you’re Local to the Greater Puget Sound area check out the Let’s Talk Tarot Meetup group for the latest event postings.
If you’re NOT local to my area, you can join me for a VIRTUAL tarot card creation event on Friday June 20th at 5pm Pacific Daylight Time. I’ll give you a list of recommended supplies, we’ll meet online, and I’ll walk you through the process of creating your own cards. Sign up here!
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Book a Consultation: I’m a sex & relationships therapist working virtually across Washington. I specialize in helping queer, kinky, polyamorous, and witchy folks navigate anxiety, chronic illness, communication, and identity work. Let’s see if we’re a fit: camilleasaunders.com
