Tarot Tutorial: Six of Cups

Get ready for nostalgic vibes. Any day can feel like a Throwback Thursday when you see the Six of Cups turn up in a reading. Something from the far or recent past is about to make a special guest appearance in your life. So, is this a good thing? That all depends on the context of the question and the surrounding cards. There are parts of our past that are wonderful. But we should never get so focused on our past that we lose sight of our present.

The Six of Cups in a Love Reading

When you see the Six of Cups in a love reading, the past is going to start to press in on the present in a big way. And yep, that can often mean the return of an ex. Don’t be surprised if a chance meeting with them lights some sparks between you two. Of course, if you’re already coupled, that interaction can make things seriously complicated. If an ex isn’t re-entering the picture, you and your boo might find yourselves revisiting a happy situation or place from your past. That little bop of nostalgic dopamine might make your relationship feel extra cozy.

When the Six of Cups turns up in a position representing you, you may be feeling the pull to get in contact with your ex. How good of an idea this is depends on the surrounding cards. But if nothing negative shows up in the reading, go for it! You might find that there’s still something between you two. If you are already coupled (and pretty sure you want nothing to do with an ex), this card may also be telling you to get in touch with what brought you and your partner together in the first place. That might help you get some perspective on where you are now, and more importantly, where you want to be in the future.

If the Six of Cups comes up reversed in a reading, leave your ex on read. Going down that road again isn’t going to be in your best interest. The surrounding cards may clarify why this isn’t a good idea, but chances are deep down you know exactly why you don’t need a replay on that old relationship. Alternatively, some other ugly issue from either you or your partner’s past is going to resurface and demand attention. This could easily put a big strain on your relationship. Do your best to break free from its hold, bestie. You and your bae need to live in the now for this relationship to last.

The Six of Cups in a Future Reading

You’re about to get up close and personal with déjà vu. Even in a future reading, the Six of Cups is letting you know that your past is going to become your present soon. Sometimes that can show up in the form of a person, but it might be a repeat of a situation or even a visit to a place that holds a lot of nostalgia for you (like a high school or college reunion). Some issues involving a child or children might become a bigger deal in your life too.

If the Six of Cups comes up in a position representing you, be prepared to deal with an internal emotional issue from your past. You may not have even realized how this issue has been affecting you until a situation forces you to deal with it. It’s not a bad idea to do some inner-child work to process things. But whatever way you chose to confront it, make sure you’re not just honest with yourself—be patient too. You may not have been in a good space to process what was happening at the time, but a little distance makes it much easier to work through.

When the Six of Cups is reversed in a future reading you could be dwelling too much on a past hurt. This is your sign that it’s time to move on (and if you need a little help with that, let one of our advisors guide you). The reversed Six of Cups could also be pointing to family pressure or expectations keeping you from fully committing to a future that serves your highest good. We get it. It can be hella hard to break away from a path your folks took (or saw you taking) to blaze your own trail. But you are never going to be truly fulfilled until you live your life for yourself.

The Six of Cups in a Career Reading

Admittedly, the Six of Cups is kinda weird to get in a career reading (unless it’s right before Take Your Child to Work Day), because businesses tend to want to be forward thinking. But it can also be a hint that the solution to a current work issue lies in taking a look at what was done in the past. Check in with the old-timers in the organization and see what their take is. They might also have insight into how a past decision made by the company is affecting the present.

If the Six of Cups comes up representing you in a career reading, you may have to dust off an old skill to get through your current work project. Alternatively, someone you networked with in the past might come back with an exciting opportunity for your future. Take a listen to what they have to say to see if it lines up with your career goals.

When the Six of Cups is reversed in a career reading, it could indicate that the organization is too stuck in “this is the way things have always been done” to consider anything new. This is usually not a great sign for its future health. But it could also mean that you’re the one stuck in the past. That’s not a great sign for your career future. Don’t let your fear of the unknown keep you trapped in work patterns—or jobs—that have long outlived their usefulness to your long-term goals.

Still wondering which ghost of the past is going to be haunting your present? We gotchu! Our tarot experts have got the skills to go deep when you need answers about love, career, or any thing else that’s been weighing on your mind. See how their insight can have you moving in the right direction to manifest the life of your dreams.