​Number: 42/7

Element: Water

Astrological Association: Venus in Scorpio

Key Meanings: Opportunities and extremes

The Seven of Cups in Tarot stands for wishful thinking, options, impracticality, sloppiness, and dissipation. The Seven of Cups meaning in a Tarot reading is that it’s time to make a decision and be realistic about what you can do and how far you can extend yourself. The Seven of Cups provides balance to the efficiency, neatness, time management, and all things controlled and in order. Those things have their place, but sometimes you need to let go.

Upright Meaning: Choices and confusion—While the seven brings the potential for amazing opportunities, these options and offers are insubstantial. At present, it’s not clear what’s feasible and what is fantasy, as everything feels up in the air, just like the floating cups on the card itself. Be discerning and find out what you can about each possible path, but ultimately you’ll need to choose by paying attention to your instincts and emotions. This is not a test of logic: Go with the flow and trust your inner knowing. Don’t rush. In relationships, the card can show new doorways opening again as joint finances improve.

The Seven is also the card of the visionary and shows the beginning stages of a new project, when anything is possible. Dreams and visions are additional interpretations.

Reversed Meaning: The reversed Seven of Cups has much the same meaning as the upright card, but here, extreme emotions are in play. Be aware of the danger of idealizing a situation and avoiding a difficult truth; in relationships, the card can mean being deceived by appearances—a new lover may not be faithful. This is not the right time for commitment. Avoid becoming embroiled in drama; step back until your options are clear.