Two cards

The Eight of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

The Eight of Cups can be a very hard card to have in a reading.

From the looks of the card itself, you can get the feeling of loss. On the Rider Waite deck, a man walks through stagnated water and is leaving the cups behind him. The card symbolism represents that you are moving on by your own accord. The sand around you right now is stagnant like that which the person in the card walks through. This is not healthy emotions in your life and you need to do what is best for you. Often, especially because this is a cups card, it is exceptionally difficult to go through this card because at one time the pools that were around you were wondrous, creative, and positive energies that have now died down.

It is interesting to note that while the blue representing spirituality or emotional issues is still present, the colors are darker. The issue in your life is not an easy one at this time. The card usually comes up during a time of loss and often this is revolving around a relationship of some kind. There is darkness to the card that in turn will usually represent aspects of your life right now. This card represents less of holding on to the past as it is a fear of moving forward. This is something that you need not fight as really, where else are you going to go? Now is the time to seek the higher road for your own health and sanity. It is obvious when this card comes up that you have tried your best and you have taken the steps to make the right choices for you. In the end you cannot change the past and you must accept what is in the present. Our lives are not stagnant things and while the energy around you may be turning sour, it is up to you to save yourself from that around which is unhealthy or holding you back.

The Eight of Cups vibrates the same goals and lessons of the Hermit card. It is sort of like the beginning of the Hermit’s journey where he heads to solitude to seek out wisdom and understanding. With the Eight of Cups, there is a spiritual sense to the card and the search you could be heading on is one of wisdom, but not wisdom alone. The path you are heading from, even though it did not end well – you will gain knowledge from this strife and grief. Little help is that now while you are still feeling the effects emotionally but with the card coming up now it also appears that you are doing what is best for yourself (or that you will). That can be a lot and later when you look back on this time you will know that you did all that you could.

The Eight of Cups in Love

Since the Eight of Cups is in the cups suit, it is often referring to relationships. In this case, unlike many other cup cards, it isn’t all good. In fact, it’s a pretty negative card for a relationship reading of any kind being that it shows a lack of positive energy in your current relationship if you are with someone. That doesn’t mean that nothing can be saved, but typically it will reflect a very bad place. The stagnation of the card shows that there is no real way to rekindle the fire of the relationship or that the well is poisoned. What has happened in the relationship is something that usually won’t be bounced back from. There are cases when the relationship can be salvaged but it usually indicates a need to start from scratch or that there will be a break up and then time will pass before any hope can be had for the future.

In the case that you are looking for love the card refers to a place for you now that is not one that is truly ready to be in a relationship. You appear to still be moving and healing from a past relationship and you have a bit more work before you are in the right place to start something new. The Eight of Cups in health means it is now is a time to focus on your healing. Not always but usually, the Eight of Cups will come up when there is a known health issue that is especially trying such as a cold that has turned into pneumonia, mental illnesses taking a turn for the worse, or any other health that continues to wane. There can be a sense of increased worry or anxiety over health which will continue to exacerbate the problem. It is important right now to break routines and buck the system. That doesn’t mean to stop following doctor’s orders, but rather… you need to be more compliant and find the desire to get better.

Often with this card there will be a sense of dwelling on the negative which is unhealthy in itself. Work on finding out all you can about what is going on with you as education is the best defense. Take time to focus on the positive in your life and the reasons that you want to be healthy. If you are feeling that you don’t trust those around you, get a second opinion. Do what you can to get in a better place mentally about your health so that you can be in a better place for healing physically.

The Eight of Cups can also refer to negative mental states and increased depression or psychiatric breaks. Since the card comes up often in very trying times in a person’s life, it can also be a difficult time emotionally. The card offers the advice that what you are going through right now is not permanent. Remember that you are not alone in this journey and if you choose to open up there are likely people around that can help and support you at this time.

The Eight of Cups in Work and Wealth

Financial losses and job losses often accompany this card, not because of bad work or poor financial judgment, but because of economy, poor business practices overall, or mismanaging money on a large scale (like in the case that your IRA or 401K made a bad choice with YOUR money). Now is a good time to take a look at your work and finances and get the facts. Know what is going on around you and be prepared for any negative changes that could end up affecting you negatively. Be smart with your finances and keep tabs on what others are doing with your money if they have access. Also, for the person looking for work, be mindful to look at all available career options that you can. Usually job issues – whether losing a job or seeking a job – are most effected by issues of layoffs and economy with this card and it can be a tough time in finding solid footing in work issues.

Reversed Eight of Cups in a reading

The Eight of Cups in reversed is almost a positive card. It does still represent loss, but the loss that is felt is not as deep. While you may find that you are walking away from something in your life, the darkness is not present and the view is bright. It is likely a move for the better on your path and one that you can feel good about. Even if you are feeling sad about moving on, know that the progression you are making now is for the best.

Upright Eight of Cups Meanings in Keywords

• Waking away
• Think about options
• Breaking up with a lover
• Emotional problems
• Abandonment

Reversed Eight of Cups Meanings in Keywords

• Trying once more
• Driving through situations
• Animalification
• Overwhelmed 

Strength Tarot Card Meaning

The Strength card exemplifies the need for order and discipline in your life at this time. Try to think about the ways in which you are allowing yourself too much excess whether it is drinking, spending, eating, or anything else. Avenues of your life that you are exerting too much energy into right now are going to be exaggerated in your reading in order, which hopefully will bring attention to them and to get you back to a point of balance. Many people when they get this card will be in denial and state that they aren’t engaging in any healthy activities that could cause them any harm. Try to be open with yourself at this time. The tarot is a divination tool designed to help you and not to point a finger at you. It’s likely whatever action that the card is indicating for you isn’t entirely all bad… it’s only bad in excess.

On the Strength card we see a woman caressing a lion. Some will say that she is trying to look in it’s mouth. First of all, this isn’t the best decision as it foolish to think you can mess around with a lion and not get eaten. The lion on the card has a lot of different meanings all associated with power. Lust, strength, power, and unabashed behaviors are all associated with the lion on the card. There is no one on the card neither to help nor to watch the woman and this is a representation in life that usually that the spectators have gone. People that would normally be around you to guide you or caution you have left, thinking that you will not listen to them.

This can be a dangerous card if the warnings are unheeded… but then again it can also be a card of taking a risk and being successful. If the actions that the cards are referring to are unsafe or unhealthy then you definitely want to take the card as a warning. It will largely depend on what other cards are around this card. If you see the Tower, Judgment, or any Ace cards around this card be aware that you may be headed for trouble in a certain aspect of your life.

There are also very spiritual elements to this card that often go unnoticed. The woman in the card holds a spiritual power as she is adorned with the same headdress figure 8 that the magician holds. The colors on the card are also those that indicate a higher spiritual sense or divine understanding. The physical manifestations of this card are often base and unhealthy, but the card offers hope for your psyche as well. It shows that the exertions in your life at this point, even if you are feeling that perhaps you are getting a bit out of control, ultimately you are also processing. The power to overcome the lion requires an understanding with the animal to bring it to submission. Now is a time to face demons head one and conquer them. You have the power to defeat and destroy that which is holding you back internally.

The Strength in Love

The Strength card in a love or relationship reading is a sort of double-edged sword. It can indicate fabulous sexual experiences or the overall strength within a relationship. Usually, there is an indicator that there is a good foundation between two people. The card often represents couples that feel safe with each other and that are in a healthy yet virile stage of their relationship. With the Strength card in a love reading there is also caution to be had. The boundaries of trust need not be pushed too far. Make sure that you are conversing with your partner and being sure that they are on the same side as you. You want to be sure that one or both people are not pushing the others boundaries too far to make sure that trust remains.

In the case of a person looking for love, the card indicates that you are likely repeating mistakes in relationships and failing to learn from them. Consider if you look for the same type of person to be with and if that personality is healthy for you like in the case of the woman who always dates a bad-boy or a man who constantly finds himself with materialistic gold digging types.

The Strength as feelings

Strength as feelings is positive. It means that the relationship makes them feel strong and on top of the world. In the deck known as thorn, the card is called “lust” and the women is riding the lion. In my deck, you will notice her head is on top of the lion. Showing that she is in control. This card can also mean the person feels balance with you but they don't feel dominated. This card can also mean that there is sexual energy between you plus a keen desire. 

The Strength in Health

When seeing the Strength card in a health reading it is an omen of recovery and one that brings hope to even the darkest of situations. It indicates that there is not only strength of the body to see through a difficult health crisis but also that the mind is in a good place as well. Like the woman with control over the lion in the card, which is often viewed as power being put into check or submission, the health of the individual at question will be restored to at least some degree. It tells us that the body has the strength to put disease or illness into submission. Often a card associated with heart disease, cancer, or bed-ridden illness, it is a card that defies the odds and shows that the body is doing all that it can to fight.

The Strength in Work and Wealth

In the case of finances, work, or monetary risk the card is not neither bad nor good. You are likely to find yourself in a position where you feel like you should or that you have to take risks. Seeing the Strength card in your reading is an omen of caution. It is true that without risk sometimes there is a lack of reward. Be sure that the risks that you are taking are not impulsive or without merit. Heed the advice of others around you at this time for they likely have your best interest at heart.

Reversed Meaning - The Strength

When the Strength appears in the reversed position it is a signal that you need to take a step back before you create a situation in your life that you will regret. Often a sign that your earthly priorities are not aligned with your true self and that you are acting out in a way which is not typically “you”. Consider ways in which you are rebelling in your life and note that these actions are not always in your best interest. Reversed, the Strength card represents taking risks without reward, foolish actions for no just cause, or doing a disservice to yourself or those around you.