Two of Cups Tarot Meaning: Complete Guide

Suit: Suit of Cups
Card Type: Minor Arcana
Tarot Element: Water (Emotions)
Star Sign: Cancer
Planet: Venus

Key Meaning: Taking a Relationship to the Next Level

The Two of Cups signifies taking a relationship to the next level of commitment. For example, it could be saying I love you, or I do in a romantic situation. Alternatively, you may be committing to a business partnership or longer-term contract in a job.

Best Book For Learning Tarot I Karina Collins

A to Z: List of Tarot Cards

Two of Cups Keywords

🥰 Upright: Romance, attraction, proposal or offer, reconciliation
😒 Reversed: Disagreements, falling out of love, distrust, betrayal, self-interest

Two of Cups Description

This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. In this card we see two people coming together over a drink and raising their glasses in a toast to each other. There is a sense of progress here, something has been agreed or said which is quietly worth celebrating. The scene is one of promise and depth of commitment.

Yet the symbology of the snakes and lion head hint at underlying danger and risk. The symbols indicate that you may be feeling exposed or vulnerable as you trust someone with your heart. Or it may be that you are putting yourself on the line when it comes to a project or dream. Either way, we are reminded that only those that dare to fail, ever truly live.

Number Two Meaning In Tarot

All twos, including the Two of Wands, Two of Pentacles and Two of Swords indicate progress. In Cups, the number two is related to progress in your emotional life. That is, commitment, love and attraction. You are moving beyond the questioning phase, and finding common ground, purpose, trust and support.

LOVE: What does The Two of Cups Mean when You Ask About Love?

When the 2 of Cups turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on whether or not you are in a relationship.

❤️ If you are single, then it means you already know the person you are destined to be with. As the couple in this card move closer together, it is a sign that you are moving closer to this person. You could be spending time together at work or in a social situation. Or possibly you are moving location and will meet the person that way. If you receive the Two and Cups and Six of Cups combination, it means that the person you fall in love with, is connected with your past or somewhere you used to live.

❤️ If you are in a relationship, this card signifies taking your relationship to the next level. Depending on your situation, this could mean saying anything from ‘I love you’ to moving in together, engagement, marriage or having a baby. For example, the Two of Cups and Empress combination is a big sign of fertility and pregnancy.

❤️ If you are worried about a relationship with someone – romantic or otherwise – this card heralds a period of healing and reconciliation. Events settle down, so there is less stress which allows the relationship space to repair. In some instances, counselling can help.

❤️ In a few instances, this tarot card can signify self-healing. Ultimately, the relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have. Until you are healed and in a good place, you won’t have enough juice in your battery to connect in a healthy way with others. If you received the Two of Cups, take this a sign that your healing is almost complete.

CAREER: What does This Card Signify When You Ask About Work?

⭕ In a work or career reading, the Two of Cups signifies progress. What began with the Ace of Cups, is now moving up to the next level. If you are worried what your work colleagues or boss thinks about you – don’t! You are a big hit and they are impressed by your skills.

⭕ If you asked about a potential business partnership or project – perhaps you asked, can I work with this person? – or is this a good idea? The answer is yes. This relationship is trustworthy.

⭕ Perhaps you asked what is my life purpose? The 2 of Cups advises you to use your intuitive gifts to help people. This could for example involve working in holistic therapies, counselling, as a wedding minister or event manager. Or, anything that will help other people fulfil their life purpose.

MONEY: What is the Meaning of The 2 of Cups in a Money Reading?

💲 When you ask about money and the Two of Cups turns up, it signifies growth and abundance. Where you focus your passion and consistently work hard, is how your finances improve.

💲 This card does not predict instant overnight success, but rather the step by step building of your dream. Success will be yours if you don’t waste time and energy doubting yourself and your abilities.

Tarot Card Combination Meanings

“Two of Cups combined with Eight of Wands” – Working with a company or organization overseas.

“Two of Cups combined with Temperance” – If you study the healing arts, your gifts will emerge quickly.

“Combined with Four Wands” – You’d make a great wedding minister or events manager.

“Two of Cups combined with Wheel of Fortune” – Stay alert, the Universe is sending you an opportunity to fulfil your life purpose.

HEALTH: What does The Two of Cups Mean When You Ask About Health?

If you are worried about your health when the 2 of Cups turns up, it can signify that any healing strategy you are pursuing is working. You may already have experienced some benefits. But even if you haven’t, trust that your body is responding.

This Tarot card can also predict healing for an issue which involves a part of the body where you have two of the same things – like eyes, ears, lungs, kidneys, ovaries, testes and limbs (legs, arms, feet, hips). So don’t give up!

YES/NO: Does It Mean Yes or No in a Reading?

If you ask a Yes or No question and the Two of Cups turns up, then your answer is YES.

TIMING: Does The 2 of Cups Predict any Particular Timeframe?

🕔 The Two 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 to understand 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 2 of Cups is about 2 months. When the card is reversed, then timing will be slightly longer – up to 3 months.

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 Two of Cups Reversed?

When the 2 of Cups is reversed, it means that the couple still want to connect but the water falls out of the cup. This can mean:

✔️ A reversal can indicate that a relationship is losing momentum. Whether this is a work, friendship or romantic relationship – there may be disagreements, misunderstandings and distrust. Or it could be that there is an imbalance, one person is giving and the other is taking too much. Draw another Tarot card for guidance to see if there is anything you can do to rescue the situation.

✔️ If you asked about health or money, it may be that you have been less motivated recently to improve your situation. The Two of Cups is a very gentle card, and is nudging you to get back on track. The effort will be worth it.

Please note that the Two of Cups in a minor arcana card. What this means, is that the outcome is not destined and you can usually do something to change the situation.

Other keywords associated with 2 of Cups reversed include: breach of promise, distraction, doubt, impatience, cheating, intolerance and unenlightened self- interest.