Six of Cups Reversed Tarot Card Meaning
General Interpretation
Getting the Six of Cups reversed in a reading symbolizes a disruption of childhood connections, past influence or nostalgia. Where the upright version characterizes joyful interactions, rekindled bonds, innocence and happy memories, the reversal indicates a need to break free from the past. This could be breaking free from childhood trauma, relationships stuck in toxic patterns, or being obsessed with the past. This can can also indicate emotional immaturity, insincerity, or difficulty leaving the past in the past.
Read on as we examine the Six of Cups reversed in various settings.
6 of Cups Reversed Love and Relationships
When asking about your love life as a single person, the Six of Cups reversed is a gentle reminder not to idolize past relationships or chase an idealized version of love. You may be holding onto what you think love should look like due to a past flame, or comparing potential partners to an ex partner. This card is asking you to release these attachments and focus on the here and now.
When asking about a new or potential relationship, the Six of Cups reversed hints that one or both of you may be projecting past experiences onto the other. This could be due to unresolved emotional baggage effecting your relationship. One or both of you may be suspicious of the other due to past experiences, or conversely expect to be treated a certain way because others have. You’re being asked to be mindful of both paranoia or unrealistic expectations.
When asking about your current relationship, the Six of Cups reversed indicates that you both may be stuck in old relational patterns. This could be childhood trauma seeping into the relationship, or a refusal for you both to grow together. Nostalgia could also be clouding the way you two view each other. You’re being asked to work on building a future together, rather than focusing on the past or the “good old days”.
Getting the Six of Cups reversed when asking about an ex relationship is a reminder that it’s time to let this person go. You may be stuck reminiscing about the past and secretly hoping for this person to return to you. The reversal though is suggesting this is very unlikely to happen, and for your own well-being, it’s time to let go and move forward. If your ex does reappear, you’re being asked to be cautious as their intentions may not be pure.
When asking about your crush, the Six of Cups reversed serves as a warning against idealizing them or creating a fantasy that you project onto them. Do they remind you, even subtly, of someone from the past? Even if they do, that does not mean they are that person. You’re being asked to remain grounded in reality without becoming too emotionally invested in this person.
When asking about your child, the Six of Cups reversed suggests your child may be struggling with change, and is latching onto nostalgia as a coping mechanism. Perhaps they’re missing their old friends, school or home. Alternatively, this suggests they could be fixated on past conflicts, perhaps with someone in the home. This card is a gentle reminder to encourage them to adapt and embrace new experiences.
When asking about your current friendship, the Six of Cups reversed indicates that the friendship may be stuck in the past. You both may reminisce about the “good old days” or talk a lot about your experiences from a while ago rather than growing together. Conversely, there could also be insincerity or one-sided nostalgia from one of you involved in this friendship.
When asking about a former friend, the Six of Cups reversed suggests that revisiting the past with this person may not be your healthiest option. If you’re considering reconnection with this person, you’re being asked to consider whether the friendship can evolve beyond what broke it apart in the first place. Or is it possible you’re just clinging to nostalgia, and the “good old days”?
When asking about an enemy or rival, the Six of Cups reversed suggests that past grievances with this person may be resurfacing. One or both of you may be holding onto grudges, or even using nostalgia in a manipulative manner (“remember when you used to treat me better?”) You’re being asked to be cautious with this person going forward, as they don’t appear to have your best interests in mind.
6 of Cups Career and Money
Getting the Six of Cups reversed when asking about a potential/new job or career is a gentle reminder against choosing a path based purely on childhood dreams or outdated ideas. What may have worked in the past won’t necessarily work today. This card is asking you to consider the practicalities of any new position you choose, and to be forward thinking.
When asking about your current job or career, the Six of Cups reversed suggests dissatisfaction with your work due to comparisons with your current position to something in the past. You may be longing for a previous position, workplace or set of coworkers. Instead of looking back, you’re being asked to focus on your current opportunities for growth instead.
Looking to start a new business? When asking about a potential business idea, the Six of Cups reversed cautions against relying too much on old, familiar models or past successes in determining your business model today. What may have worked for you, or someone else, 5 years ago won’t necessarily work today. Markets change, so you’re being asked to take what you can and innovate on top of it for long-term success.
When asking about your current business, the Six of Cups reversed indicates that holding on tightly to how things used to be is currently limiting your business growth. Instead of reminiscing about the way something used to be, try being adaptable and solving current challenges. We can’t always have things in the present the way they used to be in the past, and accepting that can lead to creativity and growth.
When asking about your money and finances, the Six of Cups reversed is a gentle reminder not to repeat past money mistakes, such as overspending or making risky investments, that have caused you financial pain. Learn from those mistakes instead of wearing rose-colored glasses about the small gains you may have made. Create a budget, and stick to it.
6 of Cups Reversed Pregnancy
When asking about a possible pregnancy, the Six of Cups reversed hints at unresolved emotions about childhood, past pregnancy, or family. You may have unrealistic expectations about pregnancy and parenthood, and the Six of Cups reversed also cautions you to be realistic about what pregnancy and parenthood may entail. If you’re asking whether you’re currently pregnant, the Six of Cups reversed leans towards no, but it’s not a firm no just yet.