Minor Arcana - Cups
A guide to interpreting the Suit of Cups, as well as insight into the imagery in In The Queer Witch Tarot Deck.
ACE of CUPS
Upright:
Love, Creativity, New Feelings, Compassion, Spirituality
Reversed:
Self Love, Intuition, Repressed Emotions, Blocked Creativity
TWO of CUPS
Upright:
Unity, Love, Partnership, Mutual Support, Attraction
Reversed:
Self Interest, Tension, Disharmony, Distrust, Poor Communication
THREE of CUPS
Upright:
Celebration, Community, Collaboration, Creativity, Uplifting One Another
Reversed:
Independence, Isolation, Overindulgence, Decompressing
The Queer Witch Tarot Deck was created in the time of COVID, and as a little homage we see three friends, sharing drinks outdoors wearing their masks. Like the pandemic, the card reminds us that our lives need a balance between socialization, and rest periods. A balance between internal and external validation. Too much of either becomes draining in its own way.
FOUR of CUPS
Upright:
Meditation, Contemplation, Apathy, Reevaluation, Missed Opportunities
Reversed:
Retreat, Withdrawal, Rest Periods, Introspection, Sudden Clarity
FIVE of CUPS
Upright:
Regret, Failure, Self-Pity, Pessimism, Old Wounds, Loss
Reversed:
Personal Setbacks, Moving On, Forgiveness, Acceptance
SIX of CUPS
Upright:
Childhood, Past Memories, Revisiting the Past, Innocence, Joy
Reversed:
Forgiveness, Nostalgia, Losing Touch with Your Inner Child, Leaving Home
SEVEN of CUPS
Upright:
Opportunities, choices, wishful thinking, illusion, Ego-Driven Decisions, Searching for Purpose
Reversed:
Alignment, personal values, overwhelming choices, Inner Wisdom, Confusion
EIGHT of CUPS
Upright:
Disappointment, Abandonment, Withdrawal, Escapism, Seeking Fulfillment
Reversed:
Indecision, Aimless Drifting, Feeling Stuck in a Situation, Fear of Change
NINE of CUPS
Upright:
Emotional Fulfillment, Satisfaction, Gratitude, Wishes Coming True
Reversed:
Materialism, Indulgence, Dissatisfaction, Insatiability
TEN of CUPS
Upright:
Lasting Love, Fulfilling Relationships, Harmony, Alignment, Family
Reversed:
Disconnection, Misaligned Values, Struggling Relationships, Unrealistic Expectations, Broken Dreams
In The Queer Witch Tarot Deck, The Ten of Cups shows us two women with their dog, looking across the water at the sun peeking over the horizon. This card reminds us that the pinnacle of life is not a nuclear family dancing around their farm house (as is depicted in many traditional decks). It’s mutual support, fulfilling relationships, and love. No matter what shape your family takes - whether it’s a lover and a dog, the friends that will always have your back, children, or you and your cat taking on the world - if you’ve found love and harmony in relationship, you can be proud of the life you’ve built.
PAGE of CUPS
Upright:
Creativity, New Opportunities, Intuition, Curiosity, Possibility
Reversed:
Doubting Intuition, Creative Blocks, Emotional Immaturity, Secretiveness
KNIGHT of CUPS
Upright:
Creativity, Romance, Turning Ideas into Action, Imagination, Beauty
Reversed:
Overactive Imagination, Unrealistic, Jealous, Moody, Lack of Opportunity
QUEEN of CUPS
Upright:
Compassion, Nurturing, Emotional Stability, Intuition, In Tune With the World
Reversed:
Inner Feelings, Self-Care, Self-Love, Co-Dependency, Compassion Fatigue
In The Queer Witch Tarot Deck, the Queen of Cups is not gendered. It’s not immediately clear where on the spectrum the Queen feels comfortable, and this card reminds us that it’s truly none of our business. The Queen is trusting their intuition, and presenting themself in a way that aligns with their inner truth, which takes self-compassion and emotional stability. This card encourages us to have compassion for ourselves and others, as we all collectively work towards a world that nurtures our inner beings.
KING of CUPS
Upright:
Emotional Balance, Compassion, Diplomacy, Personal Boundaries, Balancing the Head and the Heart
Reversed:
Self-Compassion, Moodiness, Emotional Manipulation, Subconscious Feelings
