Six of Cups

This card is considered one of the most favorable in most decks. It describes a harmless situation, prosperity without effort in a harmonious setting, the manifestation of generosity, magnanimity and love, joy of life and inner harmony, well-being and uplift (at least emotional). As a resulting card in a spread, it usually informs that a long-forgotten dream will unexpectedly come true.

But besides this (and primarily) this Arcana is a vector directed towards the Past. A card of nostalgia, memories of the past, romantic feelings, it means past infatuations from whose influence we have completely or partially freed ourselves, vanished people and things. Everything that at the stage of the Fives seemed lost, returns in the Sixes. The presence of this card in a spread speaks of the awakening of long-forgotten desires, past aspirations, intentions, and plans. Something will distinctly remind of the past – people, places, meetings, events... Under this card, pages of one's own book of life are turned over. Under its jurisdiction are both ordinary memory, not going beyond one lifetime, and so-called karmic memory. Old interpretation books endow this card with the meaning 'that which has disappeared,' but that's the trick: it hasn't disappeared. It cannot disappear. 'Manuscripts don't burn.'

Under the Six of Cups, the best times don't arrive; the best times return. 'Before the war, absolutely everything was better,' the grass was greener, the birds sang sweeter, prices were lower, feelings were deeper... well, that very thing.

The appearance of this card indicates that something or someone will again make one see the good in life. The Six of Cups should be perceived as a logical continuation of the Five of Cups. Sadness, bitterness, disappointment, and dissatisfaction with what is lead to nostalgic thoughts about past love and lost happiness, about how good it once was.

And the best that the Six of Cups can give (especially one 'knocked down' by the Five) is inner knowledge that happiness exists, it happens in principle, and if you were once happy, you can achieve it again, learn it anew. This card shows that the querent can know happiness again, that happiness can return, especially in a favorable spread. The feelings we begin to experience again under this card are such that usually fill with light and joy and inspire new steps. Impulses coming from the past give strength to realize something important here and now, and experience allows much in life to be changed for the better.

Like the Ten of Cups, the Six of Cups can be an indicator of the querent's home, even in as broad a sense as homeland, origins. Sometimes the presence of the card in a spread indicates that the root of the problem lies in the querent's childhood; it can point to some episodes or impressions of early years, and if the Six of Swords is nearby, then it is definitely some family background. Under the Six of Cups go family celebrations, special dates, memorable days, as well as simply meeting people we haven't seen for ages.

The very appearance of the Six of Cups in a spread often indicates that the current state of affairs has deep roots in the past, and it makes sense to think about its influence on the present. Negative card surroundings may speak of a traumatic, destructive influence.

Most authors agree that the Six of Cups foretells the most favorable development of events, successful progress towards a goal, and even the attainment of happiness and love.

Sometimes this is literally a 'journey into the past' – to places where we left a piece of our heart.

The first traditional meaning describes such human qualities as infantilism, naivety, innocence, sincerity, and simplicity, an inner child devoid of doubts, duplicity, and other adult complications. This is the state we usually lose on life's path, and here is its glimpse – the Six of Cups in a spread. Traditionally it is associated with recognizing one's inner child. This is a return to oneself.

Another meaning relates to deeply non-childish experiences – if it comes to that, they are more characteristic of people in years. This is nostalgia for the past, sentimental memories, immersion in the bygone, a sense of an unbreakable connection with the past. Sometimes the card speaks of a person for whom the present does not exist without the past because they belong to that past with all their heart. An indication that there lies a very important, invaluable experience for them.

Sometimes this 'bygone' really relates to childhood experiences – the card can lean towards Freudian psychoanalysis, concepts rooted in childhood. Here there can be both idealization and dramatization. But more often it is romantic nostalgia, even a tendency to live in the past. This card shows the great significance of memories – the past is still alive in the person, that they return to it in romantic dreams or poignant-nostalgic experiences.

Emotional rebirth and well-being, helpful feelings. A positive attitude towards life. A sense of balance and fullness; with favorable neighboring cards – happiness and harmony. Altruism, readiness to share, help, and love. This card is in some way the opposite of the previous one: unlike the Five of Cups, the Six of Cups characterizes a person as self-confident and internally liberated, capable at the same time of controlling their own emotions.

Balance, satisfaction, good mood.

Under the Six of Cups, memories of karmic knots tied in past lives become accessible. The card describes a state of mind nourished by images of harmony. The possibility of returning to one's original, authentic state, and this will aid future renewal. For Crowley, it is precisely this card that correlates with finding one's center, returning to the creative source. In the idyllic space of the Six of Cups, emotional desires become a creative force. This card symbolizes a protected sacred space.

Banzhaf and Akron write that this card personifies an encounter with the feminine principle and the source of motherhood. Light penetrating the eternal waters of the unknowable (Sun in Scorpio) as an ancient symbol of fertilization. Regarding astrological associations: 'The second decan of Scorpio expresses the idea of deep awareness of hidden processes of the collective unconscious, giving power over them.

Observation of life's mechanisms and mastering them through understanding their essence gives the ability to control the situation and elevates a person above others. This decan is ruled by the Sun, governing the heart and simultaneously the self-awareness of a person, merging feeling and reason into one. But sometimes, Uranus or Neptune is considered the patron of this decan, as it does not abuse power but tends to relate reasonably to feeling, which can, as a consequence, lead to a somewhat detached view of the world. But its meaning is not in withdrawal into the otherworldly, but in the ability to live in the present; for this, not only depth of thought is needed but also childlike spontaneity.

On the card, a seller, dressed as a jester (interesting interpretation!) selling flowers, with a smile gives a flower to a little girl. On the tablecloth of the counter – an Andrew's cross of sympathy. The seller trades goods – in this, the nature of Scorpio, a passionate accumulator of wealth and human emotions, is manifested. But the white flowers in the cups serve as a symbol that emotions are purified to the most primary and immediate manifestations: only those feelings that lead a person to the sources of life remain. Now they can be brought as a gift to those in need: a passion dangerous to others is transformed into universal love and compassion. Participation in the passions of the world is perceived by the seller as a game – hence his jester's clothing. But this does not prevent him from showing love: his power in the world is expressed as compassion for people.'

At this stage, emotion is spiritualized and transforms into love for the all-encompassing. The manifestation of this card in a spread may indicate a situation that requires tolerance, rising above vanity, and true spirituality. In this card, as it were, the Virgin is embodied in all her higher manifestations: mercy, help, kindness, what the ancient Greeks called 'therapeia'.

According to another tradition, the exchange of cups is similar to that depicted in the Two, but if there were Father and Mother there, here – their children, Son and Daughter. From an alchemical point of view, the card contains a hint of the Great Work: six (Macrocosm) lilies in cups, each with five (Microcosm) petals.

Light and shadow (advice and warning)

Advice: confidently take on the planned task, all will be well. Indulge in nostalgia and memories that nourish the soul, try to realize long-standing dreams. Evaluate past experience, summarize, compare initial goals with specific achievements. Trust life and enjoy it wholeheartedly. If possible, return to a childlike state, where there was no place for adult delusions and complications. Let loved ones know they are dear and needed, protect them from bad emotions, but share everything good. Remember that sincere feelings are more precious than any treasures. Warning: one should not look back and get stuck in the past; one must live 'here and now,' not running away from reality. One should not regret missed opportunities, wallow in painful reflections on what is lost, or passionately desire what cannot be returned. Let the heart explore the present. Excessive attachment to traditions hinders making necessary changes in life. One should not show excessive idealism – this is the case where the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

This is a card of cooperation and 'clean' dealings. Great creative potential, deriving pleasure from work. The meaning of this work can be therapy, providing help to 'the old and the young.'

Returning to postponed projects, to plans that were once discussed. This is a card of 'remakes' – in the literal and figurative sense.

Professionally, this is quite a 'Crab-like' card, successfully describing work with children and the elderly, as well as the study of history.

The card can have two fundamentally different meanings. One, traditionally, describes innocent flirtation, playfulness, immature relationships, and lightness of being.

The second – relationships not simply mature, but specifically ripened, having a fundamental basis in the past. If Judgment or the Wheel of Fortune is nearby, it's almost a certificate from the karmic registry office. The traditional meaning 'nostalgia' in this case turns into 'old yeast' – people already have an emotional pattern of relationships laid down in the past (its quality will be better told by other cards).

Often the Six of Cups means nostalgic experiences, the return of a long-lost love object, an 'accidental' meeting with a person one had not hoped to see again, or the resumption of a relationship after a 'dead' period. This is the case when from the past, in the form of very strong and important impulses, comes a promise for the future – renewal of feelings, fueled by past emotional experience, awaiting happiness and love. Romantic nostalgia sometimes truly nourishes and supports a person on the path, sits deep in their heart as a precious heritage of memory of feelings.

The card describes karmic reunions, connections full of emotional strength (and as a rule – colossal intimate attraction). In communication – a rich exchange of sexual and heart energy, blossoming of feelings, and deep happiness.

Good intentions, sincerity, trust based on shared experience. Striving for unity combined with a harmoniously balanced flow of feelings gives a happy state where people have a great time and enjoy everything that happens. Reconciliation, generosity, good attitude towards each other, support, and trust. Mutual attraction, emotional closeness, tenderness and soft sensuality, playfulness and affection, richness of sensations, erotic satisfaction, sexual pleasure. Joy, gratitude, and safety.

In general, the Sixes (together with the Twos and Tens) describe creative energy in the sphere of relationships, the blossoming of feelings. Whereas the Fours, Sevens, and Nines – rather destructive energy; these are largely cards of loneliness (or, in any case, states that do not contribute to the development of relationships). The Six of Cups describes what to a large extent constitutes the beauty of relationships – tender affection, trustfulness, tenderness. It is harmless and completely devoid of cynicism and vulgarity. It contains nothing of the danger of hurting or the desire to wound. It creates an idyllic space of warmth and acceptance, where there is no jealousy and violence, malice and sorrows, dependence, and melancholy (hence one of the card's meanings – 'oasis').

Under the Six of Cups, intimacy is experienced not only naturally but also prayerfully. It is generous with love and the most romantic feelings, which is why many authors define its meaning as 'deep happiness' and the fulfillment of cherished desires long living in the heart. Past obstacles fade into oblivion, allowing one to fully enjoy the good times. Symbolically, it depicts 'the enchanting garden of family joys' (and one of the traditional meanings of the card – marriage).

This card promises sensual pleasures, coziness, and peace, and is very good for people of a 'homebody' disposition or those tired of adventures. Where we are at home, where we feel safe, we can give vent to our simplest and most natural feelings – kindness, tenderness, love, and there is no need to hide or 'economize' them. This is the readiness and opportunity to share the joys of love on all levels.

Under the Six of Cups, courtship occurs, 'candies and bouquets' are given, partners are generous with manifestations of tender feelings, and generally, the best intentions are present. Sometimes the card can speak of indecisiveness, lack of passion. Old friendship, not causing difficulties in communication.

Generally, this card is very favorable when trying to forecast relationships with a loved one. The Six of Cups says that the querent will manage to achieve what they want, not only without spoiling the relationship but making it much stronger than before. If the spread is not overshadowed by negative cards, then the Six of Cups can indicate good relationships with relatives, mutual assistance in a multi-generational family, a sincere attitude towards family values and traditions.

Sometimes under this card, family members are reunited, contacts with some family member not seen for a long time are resumed. A new family member may be truly new, not just 'a well-forgotten old one' – under this card go family expansion, birth of a child, christenings. However, mystics would say that one does not exclude the other – a family member from the past who already had the happiness of belonging to it may well incarnate; a great-grandfather may well turn out to be his own great-grandson. Sometimes the Six of Cups indicates guardianship and adoption.

In a negative environment, the Six of Cups can take on meanings such as troubles with children, difficult relationships with the older generation, rebellion against parental authority, dependence on the family, getting stuck in old perception models.

Childhood or Old Age, decline. Limited strength in any case.

In reversed position, the card, on the contrary, is entirely directed towards the future. It means new opportunities opening ahead, upcoming events; indicates that something important, substantial will happen soon.

Broadening of worldview, foresight of the future. Renewal, rebirth. New knowledge, new surroundings. Change in mood, relationships. A person lets go of the past, outgrows it, gets rid of old emotional attachments and behavior patterns, and sometimes in the process – of all family old stuff.

The card can signal that in the near future, plans may require adjustment, without which they may collapse (in old interpretations).

The reversed Six of Cups also indicates that the situation is not as innocent as it seems. In a negative environment, it can speak of childhood abuse, generally unsavory things that took place in the parental home.

Old interpretation books indicate such meanings as receiving an inheritance, though perhaps not as large as expected. Modern tarot readers emphasize unwillingness to fulfill parental duties, leaving the family, running away from home.

Orientation towards the future as a denial of a difficult childhood, escape from the original environment, an indicator of unfavorable childhood experience (overly dominant parents, destructive influences, physical abuse, etc.). A person strives for the future because they turn away from the past and want nothing to do with it (and at the same time still cannot live in the present). The need to rise above one's roots, to ensure that nothing reminds of the past. Breaking with old friends.

With the Devil – the temptation to step into the same river twice (step on the same rake). Sometimes also indicates such meanings as corruption, covering for the guilty.

With the Star – a wonderful combination, goodwill, love, participation.

With the Moon – the card is especially strong in love

With the Nine of Wands – negativism, readiness for the worst, loss of idealism.

With the Five of Swords – cynicism and hostility; the combination may indicate poor treatment of children or in childhood, up to sexual abuse.

With the Seven of Swords – manipulation of feelings

With the Nine of Cups – satisfaction

With the Ten of Cups – happiness, the person feels blessed

With the Five of Pentacles – childishness, infantilism

'The Eternal Feminine draws us onward!' (Goethe)

The Golden Age as the archetype of Paradise.