Two children exchange a cup filled with flowers in a quaint village setting, surrounded by golden cups blooming with blossoms. What does the Six of Cups mean in tarot? This tender card represents nostalgia, childhood memories, innocence, and the sweet connections to our past.
In this complete guide, we'll explore the Six of Cups' meaning in love, past connections, and healing through happy memories.
Six of Cups: Quick Overview
- Suit: Cups (Water element)
- Number: Six - Harmony, balance, healing
- Keywords: Nostalgia, childhood, innocence, memories, reunion, gift-giving
- Reversed: Living in the past, rose-colored glasses, blocked memories
What the Six of Cups Represents
The Six of Cups embodies the sweetness of the past:
- Nostalgia: Sweet memories and longing for simpler times
- Childhood: Innocence, play, and early experiences
- Reunions: Reconnecting with people from your past
- Innocence: Pure intentions and childlike wonder
- Gift-Giving: Generosity without expectation
- Comfort: Safety and security of familiar places
Symbolism in the Six of Cups
The Two Children
Often shown as an older child giving a flower-filled cup to a younger child - representing generosity, caring, and the passing down of gifts or memories.
The Flowering Cups
Six cups overflowing with white flowers (purity) - representing happy memories that have blossomed over time.
The Village Setting
A safe, familiar place - hometown, childhood neighborhood, or ancestral home.
The Guard Walking Away
Often depicted in background - representing safety, protection receding, or the adult world in the distance while children play.
The Yellow Color
Warmth, happiness, and the golden glow of memory.
Six of Cups in Love Readings
Past Love Returning
- Ex-partner may reappear
- Childhood sweetheart reconnection
- Someone from your past with romantic potential
- Unfinished romantic business
Current Relationships
- Sweet, innocent love
- Remembering why you fell in love
- Nostalgic phase in relationship
- Partner who feels familiar, like home
For Singles
- Love may come from familiar circles
- Meeting through old friends or hometown connections
- Healing past heartbreak through memories
Six of Cups and Exes
This card frequently appears when asking about past relationships:
- Thinking about an ex frequently
- Ex thinking about you
- Possible reconnection
- Needing to process past relationship
- Comparing present to past
Six of Cups in Career
In work contexts:
- Career connected to childhood dreams
- Working with children or education
- Reconnecting with former colleagues
- Returning to previous career or company
- Mentorship - giving or receiving
Six of Cups in Spirituality
- Inner child healing
- Ancestral connections
- Past life memories
- Childhood spiritual experiences
- Reclaiming lost innocence
Six of Cups Reversed
When reversed:
- Living in the past: Unable to move forward
- Rose-colored glasses: Romanticizing what wasn't that good
- Blocked memories: Unable to access or process past
- Naivety: Being too trusting or innocent
- Outgrowing: Ready to leave the past behind
- Childhood wounds: Past trauma needing healing
Reversed Six of Cups asks: Are your memories helping or hindering you? Is nostalgia preventing growth?
Six of Cups in Combinations
Six of Cups + The Lovers
Significant past love. Soulmate from childhood. Deep karmic connection.
Six of Cups + Three of Cups
Reunion with old friends. Childhood friendships renewing. Celebrating shared history.
Six of Cups + Ten of Cups
Happy childhood leading to happy family. Generational happiness. Home and roots.
Six of Cups + The Tower
Childhood trauma surfacing. Past disrupting present. Memories being shattered or released.
Six of Cups + Eight of Cups
Walking away from the past finally. Leaving childhood behind. Moving forward from nostalgia.
Working with Six of Cups Energy
When this card appears:
- Honor your memories: They shape who you are
- Heal the inner child: What did young you need?
- Consider reconnections: Who from your past is calling?
- Visit familiar places: Sometimes we need to go home
- Give generously: Without expectation of return
- Balance past and present: Visit memories but live now
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Six of Cups mean my ex will come back?
It can indicate reconnection is possible or that an ex is thinking of you. Whether they'll return depends on many factors and surrounding cards.
Is Six of Cups a good omen for new relationships?
Yes, especially if the connection has a "meant to be" or familiar feeling. Love may come through past connections or feel like coming home.
What does Six of Cups mean for feelings?
Nostalgic, tender feelings. Someone may be thinking of shared memories. Feelings connected to the past.
Is Six of Cups yes or no?
Generally yes, especially for questions about reunions, childhood matters, or sweet beginnings.
What if I had an unhappy childhood?
The Six of Cups may invite healing of those wounds. It can represent inner child work and reclaiming the innocence that was taken.
Embrace the Six of Cups
The Six of Cups reminds us that our past is part of who we are. Sweet memories sustain us; difficult ones teach us. This card invites us to honor where we came from while continuing to grow.
When this card appears in your tarot reading, let yourself feel the sweetness of what was. Consider who or what from your past deserves attention. But remember - the children in the card are giving and receiving in the present moment, even as they stand among memories. Live now, love now, even as you honor yesterday.
Explore your past and heal your heart with our shadow work oracle cards and love oracle cards.
