Eight of Cups

♄♓😤⛈📉

Key words

Upright: disillusionment, abandonment, brooding

Reversed: avoidance, fear of loss, aimlessness, indecision

Description

A person uses a walking stick to climb a hill, leaving behind eight golden (but seemingly empty) chalices. The person wears a red cloak and red boots, and the terrain ahead of them is rocky. The sky is dark blue and jagged mountains line the horizon. A full moon nestled inside a waning crescent moon looks down on the scene.  

Numerology

8: Achievement, sturdiness, protection, mastery

Upright

It’s time to leave behind something you care about even though moving on feels difficult. This could refer to a relationship, a job, a project you put a lot of love and effort into, or any life circumstance which doesn’t fulfill you. Don’t fall for the “sunk cost” fallacy— it’s okay to pursue something, realize it’s not what you truly want, and then move on to the next endeavor. Think about what will make you happy and move toward it, even if the path ahead seems difficult. 

Reversed

You may be afraid to let go of something that no longer serves you. While fear can stem from intuition and allow us to protect ourselves, it can hold us back sometimes. Ask yourself where this fear is coming from: Are you afraid you’ll have regrets? Do you fear disappointing others? Or are you unsure of where to go next? The path ahead may be difficult, but it is likely worth it— some careful planning might make the prospect of moving on feel less intimidating.