Ace of Cups

Ace of Cups is one of the 56 minor arcana of the tarot, in the suit of Cups; in the Golden Dawn tradition it corresponds to Root of water.

The Ace of Cups overflows into a moonlit pool: a new feeling, an opening of the heart, love given and received.

Symbols on the card

The overflowing chalice

Feeling that is more than enough to share.

The dove

Peace and tenderness descending.

The five streams

Feeling reaching every sense.

Number and suit

Aces are the seed of their suit: pure potential, before anything has taken form. Cups are water: feelings, relationships, intuition and imagination.

Upright meaning

Open your heart to a new feeling or connection, and let it flow.

Love　New love, deepening intimacy, reconciliation.

Work　Work that touches you emotionally, or kindness in a team.

Inner life　Begin with compassion for yourself.

Reversed meaning

Feelings are blocked or held back. Something needs to be expressed before it can flow again.

Love　Reluctance to open up, or love not yet returned.

Work　Emotional fatigue at work.

Inner life　Fill your own cup before pouring for others.

In a three-card spread

Situation

A new emotional beginning.

Challenge

Holding feelings back.

Advice

Open your heart and let feeling guide you.

Tarot and astrology

Aces are the root of their element. This one is the root of water, not yet tied to any sign: pure potential.

Questions to sit with

• What feeling is asking to be let in?
• Where could I be more open?

Through the suit

Tarot here is a mirror for reflection, not a prediction. The meanings follow the Waite-Smith tradition and the Golden Dawn attributions, in our own words.