Suit: Suit of Cups
Card Type: Minor Arcana
Tarot Element: Water
Star Sign: Cancer
Planet: Venus
Angel: Archangel Gabriel
Key Meaning: The Beginning of New Love or Passion
The Ace of Cups predicts the start of new love or passion. Aces signify new beginnings because they are the first card in a tarot suit. Cups refer to emotions and feelings. So put both together and you can see how we make this combination.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
Ace of Cups Keywords
🥰 Upright: New love, hobby or passion, start of happiness
😒 Reversed: Delays, unmotivated, insecurity, blocked emotions
Ace of Cups Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. The Ace of Cups shows a hand appearing out of a cloud, offering you a cup. Five streams of water pour from the cup and a white dove bestows a blessing from Higher Powers. You are being invited to drink from this overflowing cup of abundance. What is offered now can heal and excite you on a holistic level, mind, body and spirit. Notice the lotus flowers floating on top of the pond. These flowers are a powerful symbol of purity and signify that it is safe to accept what is on offer.
The Meaning of Number 1 In Tarot
The number 1 represents the beginning of inspiration and potential. All Aces, including the Ace of Wands, Ace of Pentacles and Ace of Swords indicate a new beginning. As Cups represent our emotional life, it heralds the beginning of a new emotional adventure.
LOVE: What does The Ace of Cups Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Ace of Cups turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on whether or not you are in a relationship.
❤️ If you asked will I find love? – then this card is a sign that the Universe has heard you and is in the process of finding you a suitable partner. Love is in the air!
❤️ If you have just met someone, then you are guided to open your heart and embrace whatever happens next. This could be the romance of a lifetime. If you are wondering, how do they feel about me? then the answer is – they really like you. This is more than just physical attraction; they like you as a person too – which is why there is potential for a serious relationship to develop.
❤️ If you are already in a relationship, then this Ace signifies passion rekindled. There could be a renewal of interest, and enthusiasm. Perhaps this is because one or both of you have decided to make an effort or go to couple’s therapy.
❤️ When the Ace of Cups appears, it can also herald the arrival of a child or grandchild. This child will extend your family and circle of love. In this way, the Ace of Cups can refer to other important love relationships in your life.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify When You Ask About Work?
⭕ If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Ace of Cups, then the guidance is to follow your heart. Embrace what interests you, even if that means taking a different path to the one you are on.
⭕ Usually when this card appears in response to a question about your work life, chances are, you already know what sparks your enthusiasm. But maybe you were just looking for a confirmation.
⭕ This Ace can indicate a career in health, therapy or counselling. In a few instances it can also herald success as an influencer, or in a singing or acting career.
⭕ Sometimes, this card appears when we are feeling lost or vaguely dissatisfied with life. Do not worry, says this Cup. God knows exactly what you need. Trust that this is the beginning of something special and life fulfilling.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Ace of Cups in a Money Reading?
💲 If you asked the Tarot about money, this card means the solution to your question lies in following your heart. Making money for the sake of it will not motivate you longer term. You need to earn money in a way that satisfies you at a soul level. Even if that means taking a risk or earning less during the transition period. The guidance here is to follow your heart. Do what you love and you are much more likely to succeed. Passion is not a guarantee of success, but it certainly helps you to stay motivated.
💲 If you asked about a significant purchase, like a house – it’s worth waiting for the right house, the one which makes your heart sing. If you asked ‘is this the right house?’ and this card turns up, then the answer is yes.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“Ace of Cups combined with Four of Wands” – Moving house or location.
“Ace of Cups combined with Four of Swords” – Meditation will help you make the most of this opportunity.
“Ace of Cups combined with The Moon” – You could earn money as a psychic or tarot reader.
“Ace of Cups combined with Six of Pentacles” – Consider working for a charity or cause you believe in.
HEALTH: What does The Ace of Cups Mean When You Ask About Health?
If you are worried about your health and the Ace of Cups turns up – it can signify an improvement in your well-being, especially mental health.
Water is connected to hormones and a calmer inner state of peace. Meditation and yoga can also help reduce anxiety and inner turmoil.
What Is The Spiritual Significance Of This Ace?
When you ask about spiritual development, this card signifies the beginning of sentient awareness. By that I mean, you are sensing and feeling your Spirit Guides in a very real way. This Ace brings to light our natural gifts which are available to us, even if we can’t see them fully yet. Perhaps you are also receiving other signs from the Universe, like feathers and repetitive numbers? These signs usually occur months, or even years before the big spiritual awakening.
Karma is also associated with this Ace, meaning that what happens now is karma, or your destiny. Keep your heart and mind open to all new experiences and people who enter your life in the coming months. You are ready to accept the knowledge they ignite within you.
YES/NO: Does The Ace of Cups Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and the Ace of Cups turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The Ace of Cups Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 The Ace of Cups is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 Using my timing method, the Ace of Cups is about one month. If the card is reversed, timing will be slightly longer – so up to 6 weeks.
Karina’s Timing Method:
Swords are days. Wands are weeks. Cups are months and Pentacles are years. Please note this is my personal timing method. Feel free to adopt it (or not).
What is the Meaning of The Ace of Cups Reversed?
✔️ When the Ace of Cups is reversed then the water falls out of the cup and along with it, your enthusiasm.
✔️ If you are in a relationship then love is slipping away. Some attention is needed if you are to prevent problems down the road. You can however rescue the situation if both parties are open to working on the issues.
✔️ If you are single, then love is on the way – just not yet. A little more patience is required.
✔️ If you started a new relationship, be patient because the pace may be slow. There could be challenges or hurdles to overcome.
✔️ In general, a reversal of the Ace of Cups just means delays in whatever you asked about. For example, delays in finding love, pursuing your financial or career goals or seeing an improvement in health.
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Ace of Cups Symbolism
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Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
