Under a waning moon, a man turns his back on eight stacked cups and walks toward the mountains. It is departure: leaving what no longer fulfills you, in search of something deeper.
Walking away from what no longer feeds the soul.
Waite’s keywords (1911): The decline of a matter, or a matter thought important that proves slight; modesty, honour.
Reversed
Reversed, you are afraid to leave or you come back: indecision, staying out of fear, or wandering without purpose.
Fear of leaving, or wandering without aim.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Great joy, happiness, feasting.
In love
Upright You leave a relationship that no longer fulfills you, even if nothing is wrong on the surface.
Reversed Fear of leaving; you stay out of habit or comfort.
In work
Upright You leave a job in search of meaning.
Reversed Fear of change keeps you in a job that empties you.
In money
Upright You leave material security behind for something more meaningful.
Reversed You stay somewhere only for the money.
At home and in the family
Upright Leaving the family home, or emotional distance from family.
Reversed You cannot leave, even if you know you should.
On your path
Upright A spiritual quest: you leave the world behind to seek the truth.
Reversed Wandering from teacher to teacher without direction.
Its counsel
Upright Leave what no longer fills you.
Reversed Know why you are leaving, or why you are staying.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Minor Arcana, suit of Cups
- Element
- Water
- Rank
- Eights: movement, power and mastery
Cups
Ace of Cups · Two of Cups · Three of Cups · Four of Cups · Five of Cups · Six of Cups · Seven of Cups · Nine of Cups · Ten of Cups · Page of Cups · Knight of Cups · Queen of Cups · King of Cups