Tarot Arcana Four of Cups: Discontent

Description: A guy with his arms and legs crossed sits under a tree with his eyes closed. There are three cups in front of him, and another one is handed to him from a cloud. The sky is clear.

Main meanings of the card in the upright position:

• means a person who is offended by everyone at once;
• means a person who, considering himself superior and smarter than everyone, misses the opportunities open to him (This is not a royal business);
• dissatisfaction with oneself, introspection;
• insecurity;
• lack of motivation;
• hurt pride;
• warning: do not waste time whining, so as not to miss a new chance.
• ignoring a partner;
• apathy, isolation;
• rejection of public offers;
• imaginary annoyance.

The main meanings of the card in the inverted position:

• the chance is already missed;
• new relationships, new acquaintances;
• motivation for work; new ambitions;
• self-pity, depression.

A gloomy young man (in some decks — a girl) sits under a tree or at a table; a hand coming out of a cloud holds out a cup to him, but he turns away. He does not look at the three other cups standing right in front of him.

This is a man who is offended by everyone at once, like a child. He does not notice and does not accept the gift offered to him. «Why should I do anything? Why should I suffer, work at all?» he asks himself, believing that refusing to take action, giving the initiative to others turns him into a philosopher. Nothing of the sort: in this way he only turns into Oblomov, missing his chances. It is necessary to step over minor grievances, this card says, in case of a quarrel — be the first to make peace and calmly continue your business.

In practice, this often means a stupid ambition, for the sake of which a person is ready to miss a unique opportunity, refuse a lucrative offer ... Stop sulking, this card says, listen to what they tell you, otherwise you will regret it later.

Inverted it means that «the train has already left», the chance is missed, and now the person can only think about how to correct this mistake.

(E. Kolesov «Azbuka Tarot»)

 DESCRIPTION: A young man, crossing his legs, sits under a tree, lost in thought. In the foreground, on the grass, there are three cups next to each other. The fourth cup is held in the air by a hand emerging from a cloud. Element: Water.

EXPLANATION: This card indicates dissatisfaction with oneself and detachment from the world. There is a clear departure from material success and immersion in oneself. This card concerns the revision and adjustment of personal goals and values, in addition, it speaks of signs of indecision and self-doubt. The cup of inspiration hovering in the sky is definitely a gift from the realm of Spirit, but it is far from clear whether the young man will accept this gift. There are signs of depression and a clear lack of motivation.

MEANING OF THE REVERSED CARD: But the meaning of the inverted card is much more positive! New relationships are possible, there is motivation to work and act in everyday life, new ambitions are taking shape.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT LESSON: We need to reflect with others and alone on the decisions we make in our daily lives. This requires patience and effort. If we do not do this, our lives will remain static and lethargic and we will lose all sense of purpose (meaning).

(N. Drewry «Tarot. Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»)

The mood of this card is best described by the concepts of «satiety», «overkill». Remember the fickleness of our feelings: we want something with all our hearts, but having achieved it (and even more than we wanted), we suddenly realize that we do not need it, and we are overcome by despondency, resentment and disgust. This can be expressed in grumbling, indifference or, on the contrary, irritation, despair and the desire to destroy everything. One way or another, this card serves as a warning: do not let your bad mood develop into apathy, so as not to miss a favorable chance and not push away a helping hand.
WORK: The Four of Cups shows that work has finally lost its appeal for us, and we are increasingly overcome by despondency, anger and resentment. It can also mean «stupefaction» from monotonous work, a desire to «go on strike» and hurt pride — for example, after receiving a reprimand or refusal. In such situations, we should consider this card as advice and a warning: do not waste time on fruitless whining, so as not to miss a new, very close chance.

CONSCIOUSNESS: Here the Four of Cups has a wide range of meanings: it is fruitless reflection («wandering of the mind»), and apathetic laziness, and a crisis of despair due to a «worthless life». If we are talking about mild forms of despondency, such as laziness and unwillingness to do anything, then the card means that a fresh wind of change will very soon burst into our lives. If this is a truly profound crisis of consciousness, then it should be perceived as an alarm signal and advice to immediately do something that can bring us out of apathy and return us to the channel of normal life. For example, sports or gymnastics, which help to free ourselves from internal tension and other «negativity»: good physical shape will give us strength to solve problems that prevent us from enjoying life.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Here this card means a heavy, if not poisoned atmosphere. It shows that we are blinded by jealousy or cherish our «resentment», punishing our partner with silence or completely ignoring him. Usually, in such a mood, we do not notice those gestures of goodwill and steps towards reconciliation that our partner takes. The card advises to overcome this apathy as soon as possible and meet his «peace initiatives» halfway. If both partners are so stubborn that they have already reached a «positional war», then they can be offered to play the Game or unravel the Gordian knot; This, of course, can result in a thunderstorm, but after a thunderstorm, as we know, the sky brightens.

Fours in Tarot

The number «four» is associated with the Emperor card, the planet Saturn and the astrological sign of Aquarius. Saturn is the planet of order, work, strength, control, discipline, organization, structure, crystallization, firmness, foundation, practicality, patience, mathematical precision, economy, property, real estate, endurance, eternal values. Negative traits of Saturn and Aquarius are dogmatism, inflexibility, stubbornness, depression, melancholy, excessive seriousness. Aquarians are progressive, have a humanitarian mindset, are independent, bohemian, unusual and somewhat eccentric.

The presence of fours in the layout indicates the right time to lay the foundation for future success. Now is the beginning of a period of hard work, organizing new things and structuring your life. Sometimes Saturn instills a feeling that you are being restricted in something or that you have taken on an unbearable burden. Perhaps right now you need to make an important decision, but you should do it very carefully. During this period of time, you may be expecting illness or you just need a good rest and recuperation. The influence of Aquarius attracts unusual or eccentric people into your life.

In astrology, Saturn is associated with karma. If there are many fours in your layout, then perhaps you are paying off your karmic debts. It will be good if you pay attention to details, self-discipline, tidying up, organizing and structuring your life. All important decisions and serious changes should be made only after careful consideration.

Four of Cups Upright

Key words and phrases: Boredom. Fatigue. Retreat. Social isolation. Declining social invitations. Overestimation. Turning inward. Apathy. Withdrawal. Introspection. Silence. Despair. Distance. Disappointment. Something is missing. Feeling empty inside. Longing. Introversion. Routine. Resentment. Depression. Feeling exhausted. Introversion. Lack of motivation. Feeling satiated. No one understands me. The honeymoon is over. I never promised you a million red roses. The grass is greener on the other side. The winter of our discontent. Disgust at many things.

Situation and Advice:You may have withdrawn into yourself because you are unhappy with some aspects of your life. You are currently feeling bored or frustrated. The honeymoon is over. Everything seems banal and unsatisfactory. You need to re-evaluate your values. The danger of your current situation is that you do not see the good that surrounds you. You have distanced yourself from everyone, and this prevents you from accepting the help that is offered to you. You may feel depressed, demoralized, and out of touch with the situation. The novelty has worn off, and you are looking for new ways to stimulate yourself. You feel empty, as if something has disappeared from your life, but you cannot figure out what it is. Perhaps you should not distance yourself from others? The Four of Cups advises you not to rush, but to think carefully before continuing.

People: People who are dissatisfied with something. Those who have to re-evaluate the situation. Hermits. Recluses.

Four of Cups Reversed

Keywords and Phrases: (Positive Meanings) Reconnecting with others. Someone you've been waiting for. Accepting a social invitation. Motivation. Initiative. Communication. Excitement. Willingness to embrace new opportunities. Renewed vitality. Energetic. Breaking down your shell. Breaking down walls. Contentment. Breaking free from routine.

(Negative Meanings) Self-pity. Fatalism. Satiation. Excess. Apathy. Lethargy. Despair. Depression. Exhaustion. Lack of pleasure. Missed opportunities.

Situation and advice: Positive meaning of the Four of Cups in the inverted position: things are going well. You feel a surge of new energy and are ready to take advantage of new opportunities. Life is giving you pleasure again after a long period of boredom. You are in a pleasant state of anticipation of something. You will communicate a lot, you will make new friends, perhaps this will be the result of attending a party or accepting someone's invitation. Perhaps now is the time to renew old acquaintances and think about how important they are to you. It is time to seize new chances that fate gives you.

Negative meaning of the Four of Cups in the inverted position: you are experiencing severe depression. Do not let self-pity obscure all other feelings.

People:Those who have withdrawn from routine affairs or do not participate in social activities.

The meaning and inner meaning of the Four of Cups Arcana

The meaning of the Four of Cups in the upright position:

• Boredom, Displeasure, Dislike, Disgust, Hostility, Hatred, Nausea, Anxiety, Mental ill-health, Sadness, Chagrin, Heaviness, Discontent, Discontented mood.
• Upsetting, Saddening.

Other meanings of the Four of Cups tarot in the upright position:

• emotional stagnation, dissatisfaction, apathy
• fatigue, disgust, doubtful pleasure, contradictions
• boredom, dissatisfaction, revaluation

Like the previous card, the Four of Cups Tarot predicts many good things in the Client's life. However, instead of fruitful positive feelings, everything causes him apathy and boredom. He is calm, nothing excites him, life has become too familiar and boring. A revaluation of life values ​​is needed, new goals, new incentives, new problems are needed.

The Four of Cups Tarot card means dissatisfaction, displeasure. Fatigue from life. Imaginary annoyance, disgust. Everything comes from your own unwillingness to accept the offered good. Discontent and unfounded suspicions.

Interpretation in the inverted position:

• New Instruction, New World.
• Signs, Traces, Instructions, Considerations.
• Premonition, Prediction.
• Premonitions, Announcement, Warning, Novelty.

Other meanings of the inverted four of cups tarot:

• renewal, new acquaintance, new relationship
• new instructions, foresight of changes for the better, new hopes
• mutual understanding with a loved one appears
• apathy, depression, lethargy

The reversed Four of Cups tarot card signifies new relationships, new acquaintances, new assignments, renewal, and warns of the danger of stagnation in a person's life. Predicts an unexpected event.

Inner meaning

The Four of Cups tarot card symbolizes a friendly warning. Everything you need, everything you hope for, is available to you, but your own dissatisfaction, your negative outlook on the world, keeps you from recognizing, accepting, or taking advantage of all this. You are so stubborn in your dissatisfaction that you refuse to fulfill your desires. One interpretation calls the Four of Cups «the card of bachelors and spinsters» and claims that the reason for the long-delayed marriage is the «strange disposition» of the Questioner. In essence, this is the warning. The reason you are unhappy is because you chose it, not because your life is truly unsatisfactory.

Sources:

1. N. Drewry «Tarot. A Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»
2. E. Kolesov «The ABCs of Tarot»
3. Unknown author «Basic Information for Reading Tarot Cards»
4. H. Banzhaf «The Tarot Self-Study Guide»
5. Anthony Lewis «Tarot Made Simple»

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