The Four of Cups represents apathy, boredom, cynicism or being “jaded”.
The three upright cups represent the current conditions, or the conditions of the past, which the figure in the card has grown bored of or used to. The fourth cup appears mid-air, offering itself to him like a gift, very much like the Ace of Cups; yet the man either refuses to accept it, or does not even see it. Instead he looks sulky, suspicious and firmly rooted to his seat.
This card may indicate a stultifying or stagnant situation which drains you of your enthusiasm and life force; yet rather than turning your sights toward a new opportunity which is beckoning, you are remaining focused on the unpleasantness of your current situation. Perhaps you are so numb from living in the same way for so long that you can’t even appreciate what powers you do have to change your situation, or how easy it would be to improve it. You may even be blase` or cynical about new opportunities, feeling skeptical that anything could truly change, or you may feel bored by everything and incapable of rallying your spirits for anything. At any rate, the card shows that there is some opportunity coming your way, but you are having none of it.
This card can signify procrastination, “riding the fence”, being half-in and half-out, apathy, disenchantment and willful or unwillful blindness. It may indicate that the answer to your predicament is “right in front of your face” yet you are not seeing it, either because you are refusing to, because you have not yet thought of it, or because you are close-minded. You may have an emotional barrier to reaching out and grasping this hand which is extending towards you, such as lack of self-esteem or shyness. On the other hand, occasionally we are well-served by being stubborn, and in rare cases this card can mean there is an approaching opportunity which is not yours to accept.
Astrological Association:
The Four of Cups card is connected to the Moon (High Priestess) in Cancer (Chariot).
Card meanings upright:
The Four of Cups card can represent a time of contemplation and apathy in your life. You may be feeling unsatisfied in some aspect of your life or not recognizing the things you are being offered. You may feel bored with the things you have, but are not motivated to make any changes in your life at the moment either.
Card meanings reversed:
When the Four of Cups card is reversed, it can indicate that you are feeling unsettled and may be having difficulty recognizing the opportunities in your life. This card can also signify unhealthy cravings or temptations appearing in your life. If you are feeling emotionally empty, now is a good time to meditate, connect with yourself, and listen to your intuition.
