LOSS BEREAVEMENT REGRET
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SUFFERING A LOSS letting go of a hope giving up the win experiencing a setback being defeated having a possession taken away saying goodbye Reversed Early Phase: You may experience a loss. Someone may leave in the future. A possession could become vulnerable. There's a potential for defeat. You may eventually lose hope. Late Phase: The loss is behind you. You're dealing with a defeat. You experienced a setback. A theft has occurred. You've said your goodbyes. The letting go is ending. |
FEELING BEREFT breaking up a relationship feeling deprived of love longing to be reunited grieving feeling sorrow Reversed Early Phase: You could miss someone later. A loved one may depart in the future. A time of bereavement could occur. A mood of sadness may develop. You're thinking of a possible separation. Late Phase: The period of bereavement is ending. You're no longer feeling sad. The loved one has departed. The loss of the relationship is behind you. You're feeling less deprived now. |
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being disappointed by events wanting to turn back the clock wishing for what might have been believing you made the wrong choice acknowledging mistakes |
Reversed Early Phase: You may feel regret in the future. Someone may have second thoughts. An apology may become necessary. You may feel remorse someday. Tomorrow you may kick yourself. Late Phase: You no longer feel regret. Remorse is decreasing. There's little point in crying over spilt milk. You have fewer reservations now. |
Description
The Five of Cups is about loss. On this card, we see a figure draped in black and covered in grief. He so dominates the card that it is hard to look beyond him. The Five of Cups refers to that time when the pain of a loss is most acute. This man is looking only at the overturned cups in front of him. For now, he cannot acknowledge the two cups that are still standing.
In readings, the Five of Cups can alert you to the possibility of loss (great or small) and its associated emotions—sorrow, regret, denial. The loss can be tangible (money, relationship), or intangible (opportunity, reputation). You may feel discouraged by this card, but it does have a positive side. Every loss opens new possibilities for growth because every loss initiates change. But change is hard to accept. No matter how much we accept intellectually that we must go with the flow, if that flow separates us from what we love, our feelings say, “No!’
In a story from Zen Flesh, Zen Bones,7 the master Hakuin is falsely accused of fathering a child. He's ruined, but he accepts his loss and takes tender care of the child for a year. Suddenly, the real father appears, and just as willingly, Hakuin yields the child to its parents, accepting loss again. We who are not Zen masters may not flow quite so lightly with events, but we can learn from this story. The more we struggle to keep what is gone, the more we suffer.
Some Possible Opposing Cards
Lovers—establishing a relationship
Judgement—absolving yourself releasing regret
Six of Wands—triumph, winning
Two of Cups—relationship
Nine of Cups—contentment, satisfaction
Some Possible Reinforcing Cards
Death—loss, goodbyes
Three of Swords—separation, loss of love, heartache
Six of Swords—sadness
Five of Pentacles—rejection, lack of support, loss of approval
