ELEMENT
Water
CUPS POWERWORDS
Emotions, Love, Relationship
EIGHT OF CUPS POWERWORDS
Walking away, Giving up, Moving on
QUICK MEANING
The Eight of Cups comes into our lives when we know we must walk away from what we are emotionally attached to. It no longer serves us and though it is difficult, we must move forward.
TRADITIONAL MEANING
Traditionally this card means abandoning what you once deemed as important in your life. It could be a career, relationship, friendship or financial security. Now you must walk away to a different future. You have the energy to walk away and now is the right time.
CARD DESCRIPTION
A figure walks away from us. Eight cups stand in the foreground. They seem to support each other in their standing.
This person is walking away – to something new. They have decided that it is time to move on.
SYMBOLS
Figure walking Away
The figure represents us. We are sometimes presented with a choice to leave and move on. The indecision of the Seven of Cups must end now and movement must occur.
Red Cloak
Red indicates passion and determination and life-force. We know this figure will reach their destination. They are following their souls urging.
Staff
A staff gives support. What support can you have around you as you walk away from what is known?
Eight Cups
There are eight cups containing emotions that we once considered very important. Now we have to decide to let them go and walk away.
Solar Eclipse with the Moon
Eclipses are powerful and represents moments of change and transformation. Illusions are revealed and you cannot hide any more from your true knowing.
Sea
The sea looks calm and it looks like the tide is out. A good time to walk on new land and forge a new way.
Mountains
The mountains represents what we have to climb ahead of us. Change is never easy but with a cloak and staff, this determined figure will succeed.
BATTERED AND ABUSED WOMEN
I noticed over the years that this card would come up again and again with battered and abused women. I might ask the question, ‘What do you need right now’ and this card came up SO many times. When the woman was stuck in the emotional indecision of the seven of cups and could not find the strength to move away, this card would reveal hope. I also used to work in a Tarot business that was near a red light district and the prostitutes would come to me for Tarot readings. For many (but not all) they had suffered an abusive childhood and the eight of cups would come up to ask them to walk away from their current occupation.
If you get this card again and again in your Tarot readings and you are suffering from abuse I urge you to seek out help. You are not alone. The Tarot is trying to help you find peace in your life. It can be terrifying to walk away and even potentially dangerous but please reach out. You will find help if you ask the universe for it. This card is linked to the Major Arcana card, Strength and you have incredible courage inside if you dare to find it.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU EXPLORE THIS CARD MORE
Questions to help give you the power to walk away..
Why am I unsatisfied with my life?
What do I need to walk away from?
What can I no longer tolerate?
What energy now beckons me?
Can I find support to help me walk away?
What will happen if I do not walk away?
GOLDEN DAWN / QABALA
The Hermetic title for this card is ‘Lord of Abandoned Success’.
On the Tree of Life, the Number Seven cards sit on the Sphiroth Hod which represents Splendor. After the energy from the Divine enters Kether at the top of the Tree of Life, it next flows to Chokhmah. Chokhmah is the place of wisdom. The energy then flows onto Binah which is the energy of understanding. Then the energy leaves this upper triangle of energy (called the Supernal) and flows down to Chesed, the energy of Mercy. Then the energy flows to Gevurah which is a difficult Sphiroth representing severity and possibly suffering. Then the energy flows to Tiferet which is at the center of the Tree of Life. It represents balance and harmony. Next we move to Netzach which is victory and then onto Hod which is splendor.
ASTROLOGICAL
Ruled by Saturn in Piscis
EIGHT OF CUPS REVERSED
When this card is reversed the ability to walk away is not happening. There is a block or energetic wall. It is not easy to move. I had a friend once in a difficult place. One night she dreamed she was walking on broken glass after a window broke. In her reading she got the reversed eight of cups. We talked about cleaning up the glass to make the way clear and safe to move forward.
Two important questions to consider with a reversed Eight of Cups:
If I can find support, will I find the courage to walk away?
What is your future if you stay stuck where you are?