Six of Cups — Nostalgia & Gentle Memories

Supervised by Usatoko WHITE
Professional tarot reader & spiritual advisor

✦Minor Arcana: Six of Cups

Nyanta

Nekosuke, tell me all about the Six of Cups today!

Nekosuke

Of course! The Six of Cups is a card that symbolizes "harmony and connection." It carries the power of the Water element, full of energy for relating to others and finding balance. It's deeply tied to love and relationships!

Once you've gotten comfortable reading the Major Arcana, it's natural to want to try your hand at the Minor Arcana next.

The Minor Arcana is divided into four suits — Wands, Pentacles, Swords, and Cups. Which one is your favorite?

If you've ever been drawn to stories where people chase after rich, heartfelt emotions symbolized by cups, then there's a card we'd love to introduce you to today.

It's the card that appears partway through that suit's story, gently comforting someone who's grown a little weary and giving them the strength to walk forward again: the Six of Cups.

✦The Meaning of the Six of Cups in Tarot

Let's start by reviewing what the Cups suit itself represents.

First, in astrology's four-element system (fire, earth, air, water), Cups correspond to water.

Water nourishes the earth and is the very source of all life.

As a symbol of water, Cups carry meanings of deep affection and emotional richness.

Second is the meaning of the number six. The number 6 carries connotations of harmony and beauty, so for the Six of Cups this translates into a sense of calm, peaceful time.

Third, it helps to understand this card's place in the story told by the surrounding cards.

Before the Six of Cups comes the Five of Cups, whose story is one of disappointment — things not going as hoped, feeling down.

After the Six of Cups comes the Seven of Cups, whose story is one of feelings rising almost to the point of daydreaming.

The Six of Cups bridges the gap between that frustrated, downhearted state and the state of spirits soaring once again. It tells the story of "an innocent, pure-hearted child spending time peacefully, simply being themselves" — the card's signature image of harmony and beauty.

In other words, it's precisely because the Six of Cups carries the story forward that we're able to recover from the setback of the Five of Cups and move on to regain our spirit, as in the Seven of Cups.

Seen this way, the Six of Cups carries the meaning: "even if you stumble along the way, you can shift your mindset by remembering the child within you and returning your heart to a peaceful state." It's a pivotal card that turns the story of the Cups suit around.

☀The Six of Cups Upright

By now you likely have a good sense of what the Six of Cups means. Let's look at how to interpret it when it appears upright in a single-card draw.

To read the upright position accurately, it helps to recall the meanings we've covered and picture a few concise keywords for them.

To start, here are some recommended keywords:

• Memories of the past
• Recalling old times
• Reuniting with a nostalgic friend

All of these point to reconnecting with a younger version of yourself.

Building on that, more keywords come to mind:

• Childhood memories
• A childlike feeling
• The influence of past events
• Feeling kind and gentle
• Something happy happening

The more general keywords you can associate with the Six of Cups, the easier it becomes to picture the imagery you need when you draw it upright in an actual reading.

☾The Six of Cups Reversed

Now let's look at how to read this card when it appears reversed in a single-card draw.

Don't worry that "reversed always means the opposite of upright, so it must be bad news." That's not the case here.

In fact, the recommended keywords for the reversed Six of Cups include:

• Letting go of a painful past
• Moving forward into the future
• Growing from a child into an adult

These words express a resolve: "even if something unpleasant happened in the past, don't stay stuck in that memory — move on from it."

Now let's look in more detail at how to read the upright and reversed positions across specific life situations.

Nyanta

What do the upright and reversed Six of Cups mean, exactly?

Nekosuke

The number six represents harmony and connection. Upright, the Six of Cups shows you building good relationships in love and life. Reversed, the balance can tip, and things stop going smoothly. Let's go through each one!

Career: Six of Cups Upright & Reversed

How should you read the Six of Cups when it comes up in a career reading?

Upright, it can suggest "something good is about to happen at work" or "good news is coming from your workplace."

Reversed, it carries a message about shifting your mindset and putting in effort: "let go of past mistakes at work and tackle what's in front of you with fresh eyes," or "even if things aren't going well at work, use it as fuel for your own growth."

In other words, the reversed Six of Cups points out that you may be unknowingly holding on to unpleasant memories from the past.

When reversed, take it as advice to ask yourself whether your mindset has become too backward-looking — that reframing turns the reading into something constructive.

Love: Six of Cups Upright & Reversed

How should you read the Six of Cups in a love reading?

Upright, it can mean "you can nurture your relationship with a childlike, innocent heart," "you might fall for someone who was a friend in childhood," or "an old flame may come back into your life."

Reversed, it advises: "don't dwell on old heartbreaks — go out and look for new love with a fresh outlook."

Here too, the reversed Six of Cups is a message urging you to release painful past memories and move toward a more positive mindset.

Relationships: Six of Cups Upright & Reversed

Let's briefly look at how to read the Six of Cups when it comes up for relationships.

Upright, it suggests "you can build satisfying relationships with the people around you," and "even being a little childlike is fine — being yourself will help you connect well with others."

Reversed, it can be read as advice like: "be more open and honest, the way you were as a child, and clearly say what you want to say — that will improve a strained relationship."

Money: Six of Cups Upright & Reversed

Let's briefly cover how to read the Six of Cups for money matters.

Upright, it can suggest "unexpected good news, like a windfall, may be coming your way," or "it might be a good time to start investing."

Reversed, take it as advice: "now isn't the right time to invest — hold on a little longer."

Health: Six of Cups Upright & Reversed

Let's briefly cover how to read the Six of Cups for health.

Upright, it suggests: "you're not unwell, but now is a time to rest — take care of your body and mind."

Reversed, take it as advice: "think back to any health issues from childhood and give that area some extra care."

✦What the Six of Cups Reveals About the Future

The classic Rider–Waite–Smith Six of Cups

Remember one of the keywords tied to the Six of Cups' meaning: "the influence of past events."

True to that keyword, the Six of Cups doesn't just bring back memories or advise you on how to relate to them — it also uses that foundation to tell you something about the future.

That's because the Six of Cups teaches us a truth: past, present, and future are inseparably, eternally connected.

Even in a single-card draw, the Six of Cups carries this power, but when it appears in a larger spread as a card representing the future, its message becomes even clearer.

For example, in a three-card spread you might read card one as "past," card two as "present," and card three as "future" — or read card one as "present," card two as "result," and card three as "the action to take."

Let's focus on what it means when the Six of Cups appears as "future" or "result" in a three-card spread.

What the Upright Six of Cups Says About the Future

If the upright Six of Cups appears as "future," it can mean "you'll be able to fall in love with a pure heart," or "you can approach what's ahead with a fresh mindset."

It might also specifically indicate "you'll reconnect and spend time with an old, dear friend."

If this card appears upright as "result," it suggests "something will bring you back to your past."

Specifically, it might mean "you'll be able to put past experience to good use at work," or "you'll reconcile with a former partner."

What the Reversed Six of Cups Says About the Future

If the reversed Six of Cups appears as "future," it advises: "you may realize you're repeating a mistake you've made before — use that awareness to think of a way to improve."

If this card appears reversed as "result," it tells you: "you're holding on too tightly to something unpleasant from the past — let it go cleanly and shift your mindset."

✦The Six of Cups in a One-Card Draw

Here's how to interpret the Six of Cups when it comes up in a one-oracle (single-card) draw.

In a Love Question

A reunion with an ex, or a new connection in a nostalgic place. The past becomes a clue to love.

In a Career Question

A moment where past experience or skills come in handy. Look back at your earlier career for insight.

✧Six of Cups Card Combinations

Here are some classic interpretations for when the Six of Cups appears alongside other cards.

Six of Cups × The Moon

Nostalgic emotion mixed with a stirring subconscious. Pay attention to dreams and intuition — they carry an important message.

Six of Cups × Ten of Cups

Family love and warm memories. A happy home environment becomes an emotional anchor for you.

Nyanta

Now I really understand the Six of Cups! That harmonious energy is so lovely.

Nekosuke

That's right! When the Six of Cups appears, cherish harmony with the people around you in love and relationships. The gentle power of the Water element will be there to support you!

✧Six of Cups Keywords

These are the essential keywords that capture the heart of the Six of Cups. Keep them handy for your readings.

• Nostalgia
• Gentle memories of the past

⚖Six of Cups YES/NO

Here's how to read a YES/NO answer when you draw the Six of Cups.

♡Their Feelings When the Six of Cups Appears

Here's how to read the other person's feelings in a love reading when the Six of Cups appears, upright and reversed.

Upright: Their Feelings

Around the theme of "nostalgia," they hold feelings shaped by Cups' influence — emotion, love, and connection. The message of nostalgia and gentle past memories shows up in their true feelings.

Reversed: Their Feelings

Reversed, the upright feeling is weakened or left unexpressed. Their feelings may be turned inward.

⧗Frequently Asked Questions About the Six of Cups

✦Summary

We've now covered how to read the Six of Cups across a variety of life situations.

The Minor Arcana excels at addressing concrete, specific matters, and the Six of Cups — one card among them — delivers a message that's easy to grasp.

Above all, the Six of Cups gives you a chance to look back at your past self, and teaches you that "it's because of that past that you are who you are today," and that "learning fully from that past and applying it to the present and future is what leads to good results."

It also offers us, in our busy daily lives, the chance to reconnect with "the version of ourselves that once spent childhood full of energy" — and in doing so, gives us the strength to keep going tomorrow.

The next time you feel like taking a break from a hectic day, why not think of the Six of Cups?

It will surely, gently show you how to make peace with the past events that stay etched in memory, for better or worse.

And going forward, we hope you'll keep enjoying your tarot practice at a relaxed pace, looking forward to the day you draw this reassuring guardian of the heart: the Six of Cups.

Reviewed by

Usatoko WHITE

Professional fortune teller specialising in tarot, oracle and Lenormand reading. Usatoko supervises every divination guide at Luna Factory to keep them accurate and beginner-friendly.

Written by the Luna Factory Editorial Team