Seven of Cups
Phantasm
“No hay banda.”
Mulholland Drive
Seven of Cups at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Seven of Cups presents many compelling possibilities without evidence that each can become real.
| Upright | imagination, multiple options, fantasy, creative vision, desire revealing itself |
|---|---|
| Reversed | clarity after confusion, a decision, obsession, escapism, deceptive appearances |
| Linked card | The Moon |
| Soundtrack | Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - Remastered 2009 by The Beatles Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Imagination
- Multiple options
- Fantasy
- Creative vision
- Desire revealing itself
- Symbolic thinking
- Brainstorming
- Seductive possibilities
- Emotional projection
- The need to choose
Reversed meanings
- Clarity after confusion
- A decision
- Obsession
- Escapism
- Deceptive appearances
- Fantasy replacing action
- Overwhelm
- Wishful thinking
- Narrowing options too quickly
- Pursuing an illusion
Seven of Cups in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Emotional bond: Symbolic thinking. Reversed: Fantasy replacing action. |
| Career | Work: Brainstorming; seductive possibilities. Warning: Overwhelm. |
| Money | Financial theme: Emotional projection. Warning: Narrowing options too quickly. |
| Feelings | Upright: Fantasy. Reversed: Obsession. |
| Advice | Prioritise: The need to choose. Watch for: Pursuing an illusion. |
| Outcome | Potential: Desire revealing itself. Obstacle: Deceptive appearances. |
| Yes or no | Unclear. Choose one real option and test it. |
Symbols in Seven of Cups
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The clouded cups | Possibilities are not yet grounded in ordinary reality. |
| The veiled figure | Some desires conceal more than they reveal. |
| The jewels and castle | Status and security can become fantasies rather than plans. |
| The snake and dragon | Attraction and danger coexist within imagined outcomes. |
A. E. Waite's original description
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially those of the fantastic spirit.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Fairy favours, images of reflection, sentiment, imagination, things seen in the glass of contemplation; some attainment in these degrees, but nothing permanent or substantial is suggested.
Reversed:
Desire, will, determination, project.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Six of Cups
- Next card: Eight of Cups
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
