What does the 8 of Cups mean to you?
Hi! I got myself the Dreams of Gaia tarot deck at the start of the year as my first deck, so I'm fairly new to tarot. I'm mostly an intuitive reader, and here's my dilemma:

Despite the "usual" depiction, my intuition often interprets the 8 of Cups as a positive card. For example, my intuition gives me thoughts like "deep healing," "working on my emotions regarding the world outside of myself," and even "flow state and understanding of ebb and flow."

I want to stay somewhat true to the traditional understanding of the cards and at least respect it. I wonder if having the original Rider-Waite deck in my hands would shift my perspective of this card.

Anyway, thanks!

When I see the 8 of Cups (RWS Deck), I feel a mix of sadness and hope. My basic interpretation is about making tough decisions and leaving things behind to move forward.
Looking at the Cups in sequence, after the difficult choice to leave the 8, we find success and happiness with the 9 and 10.
I think it really depends on where you are in the decision-making process. If you haven't decided yet, staying longer can drain you, making the card seem negative. If you've already decided, the card encourages you to let go and move forward.
I'm still growing in my tarot practice, and I'm interested to hear what others have to say!🃏

Hi there! I love breaking down the numerology and suits in Tarot for interpretations! So, the number 8 is like the infinity symbol for a lot of readers, meaning infinite possibilities or endless time. It’s also the number of mastery, meaning whatever skills you're working on are being tested and pushed to their highest potential. The Cups are all about the element of water, which represents emotions and intuition. Just like water, emotions flow and intuition adapts. When Cups show up, it’s a sign to tune into your soul. Our physical, emotional, and mental experiences all affect us spiritually too. When it comes to the 8 of Cups, it’s often about emotional growth and soul ascension. The card usually shows someone walking away from 8 cups on a beach or shoreline at night. The stars in the sky often form a cup, guiding them. This person gets that to follow their soul’s purpose, they need to leave behind emotional baggage. The upright, organized cups show they've found closure and are ready to move on. They're not looking back or having second thoughts; they're confidently moving towards whatever’s meant for them, whether that’s soul-searching, shadow work, or something else. Hope this helps.

    I remember reading somewhere that it's better to read interpretations rather than ask yes or no and ask the cards for further insight. In my experience, and im no expert either, I find this does help. My yes and no answers were all over the place. But anyway, It symbolizes to me exploring, leaving things or the feeling of being left behind, but it also makes way for positive new things and opportunities.

      MichaelHill_TarotEnthusiast
      Speaking of 8s! My life path number is this, and I recently terminated a soulmate relationship. Astrology says we were destined to be, and in my recent readings to figure out why it ended (besides me leaving), I saw a lot of 8s. A lot of 8s appeared in this person's objectives. I've received multiple readings when numbers match in different suits. It makes me ponder about the higher lessons we may overlook during a reading, especially while locked in the 8 of Cups energy—loss, grief, abandonment. The 8 of Cups reminds me of anything we were emotionally invested in. It's always there, even when we ignore it. Do those 8 cups contain water? Is water clean or murky? Since 8 follows the 7 of Cups, which is about illusions, maybe those 8 cups are a test to determine what illusions we need to leave behind. Does tarot function in arithmetic progressions or is it subjective? Not sure. I also encountered 8 multiple times in our brief connection. I'm not sure what it meant. I stress the subjectivity of tarot meanings based on personal experiences. That may be the best explanation.

          agirlandhiscat
          I totally get what you're saying about yes or no questions. It can be tricky, so I usually go for more insightful ones. The 8 of Cups, for me, is about moving on from what no longer serves you, even if it's tough. It opens the door for new opportunities and growth.
          Instead of a yes or no, ask the cards what you need to know about your situation or what steps to take next. You'll get more useful answers that way!

            4 days later

            This is so interesting because whilst also respecting the original meaning/ origin of the card, I also saw this (my intuition) as really positive. I saw it as embarking on a journey, but a positive one. The sun is shining, the scenery is beautiful. It's going to be a tough journey upwards, but thats where im heading... Up.

            I know this sounds silly, but it reminded me of Lord Of The Rings when Sam and Frodo decide they need to go on their own to reach their destination...I know thats a ridiculous comparison, but like, knowing where you are isn't right, knowing the journey is going to be tough, but being determined to get there.

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