The Meaning of
the "Seven of Cups" Tarot Card

The Seven of Cups has some of the most complex imagery in the entire tarot deck.

Unlike the simplistic scenes in other cards, the Seven of Cups shows us a dreamlike chaos of cups and symbols floating in a mystical cloud.

Each symbol seems unrelated to the next. They seem like separate visions, and not part of a single cohesive story like in the other cards.

Each cup, representing a choice of some kind, is filled with an otherworldly image of something which does not belong in a cup at all.

Seven cups are arranged, floating mysteriously in space, above the head of the person in the foreground. Each cup, representing a choice of some kind, is filled with an otherworldly image of something which does not belong in a cup at all.

The symbols emerging from the cups are:

• A floating woman's head,
• A hooded and glowing figure with arms outstretched,
• A snake,
• A castle,
• Overflowing jewels,
• A victory wreath,
• A small dragon or salamander.

Look closer and you'll see that the cup containing the victory wreath has an ominous skull on it.

All of the images are symbols of fantasy and desire, rather than anything that may be attainable on the earthly plane. This is the stuff of temptation and dreams, and of nightmares and hallucinations.

The Seven of Cups is a card of choices, options and temptations. These choices dance before our eyes offering endless possibility and promise.

Remember however, that the choices in front of us may be less substantive than we thought they were. Some choices may be legitimate, but others may be fantasies that lead nowhere — or pitfalls which could lead to ruin.

It is usually a gentle warning that not all roads lead where we want to go.

When the Seven of Cups appears in a reading it is usually a gentle warning that not all roads lead where we want to go. The card may also be warning us to get our head out of the clouds and come back down to Earth.

While dreams are important, spending too much time with dreams can be detrimental.

In a relationship reading, the Seven of Cups reminds us that infatuation and love are very different things. Relationships built solely on physical attraction may not stand the test of time.

In a business reading, the Seven of Cups may represent a deal that is 'too good to be true.' Or it may represent an offering which glitters like gold, but is not worth your time or investment.

The card is not overtly negative, but it does raise sincere warnings. There may be good options here, but there are definitely bad ones too. The card also carries overtones of immaturity, short-term relationships and romantic flings.

Like the upright position, the reversed Seven of Cups indicates a situation where we find multiple options are available. Some of these options are poor choices, while some may be good. The reversed version of this card reminds us to follow our inner guide to make sense of the situation.

Stay true to your core values and principles, and the best choice will become clear.

As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "This above all else, to to thine own self be true". Stay true to your core values and principles, and the best choice will become clear.

The most fabulous options are often the ones that don't stand the test of time. And some options (like the "victory wreath" in the Seven of Cups illustration) come with serious hidden downsides.

The reversed meaning of the Seven of Cups also warns that something may be trying to influence our decisions, or block our natural decision-making processes.

In a relationship reading, the 7 of cups inverted reminds us to put aside "image" and focus instead on what's inside.