The Six of Cups is the card of sweet memories. It brings nostalgia, childhood joy, innocent kindness and sometimes a reunion with someone from the past.
On this page
What's on the Six of Cups card
In a sunny old village courtyard, a boy offers a little girl a cup filled with white flowers. Other cups of flowers stand nearby, and a figure walks away in the background.
- The flower-filled cups: simple gifts and innocent love
- The children: the inner child and memories
- The old houses: home, the past and safety
Six of Cups upright meaning
Upright, the Six of Cups brings the comfort of the past: happy memories, old friends, visits home or the playful joy of your inner child. It's also a card of simple kindness and generosity.
Let yourself enjoy it, and remember what used to make you happy. A little of that joy may be just what you need now.
Six of Cups reversed meaning
Reversed, you may be stuck in the past, idealizing old times or unable to move on. It can also mean leaving home or growing up.
Honor the memories, then turn toward the present.
Not every reader uses reversals. If you don't, read the upright meaning and let the cards around it show whether the energy is flowing or blocked.
Six of Cups in love
Upright: Reunion with an old love, childhood sweethearts or a sweet, innocent romance.
Reversed: Holding on to a past relationship, or idealizing an ex.
Six of Cups in career and money
Upright: Working with children, returning to an old job or a creative project rooted in the past.
Reversed: Being stuck in old ways at work.
Six of Cups as feelings
As feelings, the Six of Cups shows someone who feels tender, nostalgic and fond of you, perhaps thinking about the past you shared. Reversed, they may be stuck in old feelings.
Is Six of Cups a yes or no card?
Yes. The Six of Cups is a gentle yes, especially for reunions. Reversed, it suggests letting go of the past first.
Six of Cups correspondences
Use these when you work with the card in spells, on your altar or in meditation. The element and zodiac sign follow the classic attributions used by most tarot readers; the crystals, herbs and colors are common modern pairings. Tap any of them to read more in The Witch's Cabinet.
| Element | Water |
|---|---|
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Crystals | Rose Quartz Rhodochrosite |
| Herbs and incense | Chamomile Violet |
| Candle colors | Pink Candle Yellow Candle |
A Six of Cups Inner Child Ritual
For reconnecting with joy and comfort.
You will need:
- A pink candle
- A cup of flowers or petals
- A childhood photo or a favorite treat from childhood
Steps:
- Light the candle and place the photo or treat beside the flowers.
- Remember one happy moment from childhood in as much detail as you can.
- Say: Little one, I see you. Let's play again.
- Do something playful today: draw, sing, dance or eat the treat slowly.
- Give one flower to someone you love.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep flames away from curtains, dried herbs and pets.
Six of Cups FAQs
What does the Six of Cups mean?
The Six of Cups means nostalgia, childhood memories and innocent kindness. It can also mean a reunion.
Is the Six of Cups a yes or no?
It is a gentle yes. Reversed, it suggests letting go of the past first.
What does the Six of Cups mean in love?
In love, it can point to an old love returning or a sweet, innocent romance.
Does the Six of Cups mean an ex is coming back?
It can point to a reunion with someone from the past, but it can also simply mean fond memories.
Keep learning the tarot
See every card on our tarot card meanings page, or read all 22 trumps side by side in the Major Arcana explained. New to reading? Start with our guide to cleansing a tarot deck and divination for beginners. When you're ready to read with confidence, our Tarot course teaches every card, spread and reading technique step by step.
Cards that pair well with Six of Cups: Five of Cups, Seven of Cups.