No matter how old we get, we all have an inner child within us. The one that demands play and fun amongst the chaos and responsibilities of adult life. The one who just wants to run away and play with their friends again. To forget the said and unsaid rules of this world and live in its imagination. This is what the Six of Cups is all about. I want to revisit the past and reconnect with simpler times. Even though those times are long gone, and you’ve lost your innocence, there is a deep longing to return to the past. To return to that space of comfort and be careless again.
As kids, we wanted to grow up faster, and now that we are all grown up, we long to return and revisit that time. For some, the past is a memory of yesterday, and for some, a forgotten tale. Growing up feels like a burden, and you want someone to rely on you, but there is no one else except the version of you that once existed. That version of you is long gone, and now only exists as a faint memory in your mind.
Astrologically, this card is linked with the Sun in Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign of sharing deep emotional bonds. You are guided by the sense of achieving a higher purpose. This sign is intense, and these individuals have a laser focus. This sign represents our deepest emotional wounds and even the dark parts of self that we are not yet ready to face. It can feel as if the patterns from the past keep repeating themselves until you learn your lessons.
We can see two children exchanging flowers, it seems to be an innocent exchange. Where they are learning to give without expectations. There is a sense of nostalgia associated with this card, and connecting with the past. Whether you look back at your childhood with fondness or regret, there are some lessons there for you. That’s why you are being asked to reconsider your past.
Belonging to the suit of cups, this is a card of emotional healing. Finding peace and comfort in the memories of the past. When you are dealing with multiple challenges in the present, then going back to the warm and secure feeling of the past can provide comfort and strength in the present. This card represents the importance of being surrounded by a warm and loving community. Where you feel seen and understood. If you have been taking life very seriously, then it’s a sign to bring back play into your life. Try doing things that bring you joy, without overanalyzing what you can gain from them.
When this card shows up in your reading it is telling you to connect with your inner child. And find ways of expression for it. You may find a lost hobby from your childhood or discover an old picture album. It’s good to look back on your childhood from time to time. Knowing how far you have come gives hope for the future.
Now that we understand what the symbols on the Six of Cups card mean, let’s see how this card can help you in predictions. When making predictions, it’s also important to consider what the other cards in the spread are trying to tell. And what they represent in relation to this card. This card represents innocence, a sense of playfulness, and nostalgia. Finding the feeling of joy in play that gets lost as we age. Whether we realise it or not, our childhood dictates our actions in the present. We are all a product of our childhoods. Early experiences as a child shape the way we view the world. And if you feel stuck in the present, as if you keep repeating the same mistakes again and again. Then, going back to your past and finding the root cause of your pain can help.
If you draw this card as the ‘blockage Card’, then you are probably stuck in the past. And confusing naivety for irresponsible behaviour. You are stepping back from taking responsibility for your actions.
If it comes out as the ‘future Card’, then you are being asked to share and receive. It does not have to be something materialistic, this card also represents an exchange of good intentions. And sharing in the spirit of celebrations with your friends and family.

When Six of Cups is present in your reading in the upright position, there is a desire to turn back time and return to the past. As there are many happy moments in your past that you feel drawn to and want to live one more time. When the present challenges get too hard to deal with, our mind may find escape in happy memories of the past, as it's the only source of strength to keep going.
This card also symbolises returning to an old place of comfort. Whether it’s a childhood home or your hometown, it’s a place where you grew up and made memories as a child. Even when you return after a long time, you feel the same comfort and calm you felt as a child. If you have been taking life too seriously, then it is a sign to adopt a child’s mindset. To view the world with an open and curious lens. As we grow old, we forget to enjoy the little things in life. We get so lost in meeting deadlines or goals that we forget to enjoy the process. We stop being curious and questioning things, and we stop being creative, which makes life dull.
Old memories from your relationships are coming to the surface. You are feeling nostalgic and reminiscing over the past. You are learning from your mistakes and healing trauma. Spend some time with yourself. What is it that you missed earlier and is now showing up again? In literal terms, this card means that your partner from the past is going to enter your life.
If you are already in a relationship then this could mean that challenging times are now over. You and your partner have reached are ready to give and receive without expectations. And you are going to find it easy to understand your partner and relate with them. It’s also a sign that you feel safe around your partner. This allows your inner child to express in front of them without any hesitation.
This card asks you to go back to your childhood and to know what it is that you really wanted to become. Perhaps you wanted to become someone else but had to choose a different profession due to the circumstances. Now is the time to think about how you can align your future career goals with your original plan. There is also a sense of feeling dissatisfied with your current profession and wanting to switch careers. Or you are returning to an old profession you once left.
When Six of Cups come out upright in a health reading it signifies that you are healing your past emotional wounds. This card is asking you to slow down and enjoy life. And to not take things very seriously. Reconnecting with your loved ones, and engaging with your community will help you maintain health.

Revisiting the past from time to time can be an essential tool for self-reflection and growth. However, six cups showing up in reverse is an indicator that your obsession with the past is making you lose touch with the present moment. By staying stuck in the past, you are also missing out on the opportunities right in front of you. It can also be a sign that your life has become dull as you have lost touch with your inner child. Life feels like the same repetitive, boring script every day. Maybe you have forgotten how to have fun and lost your spark managing adult responsibilities.
If the six of cups shows up in a love reading, then it means that you are still holding onto your past partner and are unable to let go. You may find it hard to forgive your partner for past mistakes. It could also mean that relationship struggles from the past are still preventing you from opening up to a new person. This card can also signify that right now, you are bored with getting into relationships. You are looking at the past but with sadness and regret. It is as if there are many things in the past that you wish you could have changed.
You are becoming financially independent and taking charge of your finances. It could mean that you are probably shifting towns or moving out of your parents’ house. You are learning to manage your own money, how to invest, and save for the future. It’s also a sign to stop comparing your current financial situation to the past. Try to understand your patterns of spending and your past beliefs around money. And how your childhood has affected the way you view money now.
When reversed, this card suggests that your growth at the workplace is now slowing down. You are probably feeling bored and wanting to switch companies. You are looking for something new and exciting. You want to grow outside the comfort zone of your current position. But at the same time, you are not very confident in taking the risk. Your current role may be repetitive. Therefore, you wish to seek a new environment and meet new people. You are willing to compromise on safety to have new experiences.
You are working on healing any physical or mental health issues resulting from unresolved childhood issues. The six cups in reverse are trying to tell you to stop running from these issues, as acceptance is the first step in the healing process. Maybe you are dealing with a chronic illness, and you are being asked to look back at your habits and routines to find the cause of the disease. It’s a time to analyse your routine and eliminate habits that are detrimental to your health. You are also being asked to look at your family history to understand the cause of your illness.
In terms of timing, this card represents a period of weeks to months. You can expect the event to occur after you reconnect with a person from the past, return to an old home, or feel nostalgic. You are being asked to reflect on the past, analyse your actions, and look towards the future with hope.
For a one-card pull, ask a specific question and trust the universe that even when the answer is a no, ultimately it is being done for your benefit.
When upright, it leans towards a yes. The event will bring emotional fulfillment, and connecting with the good memories of the past can bring joy and warmth.
When reversed, the answer is no. You need to rethink your plan or strategy. It’s telling you to adopt new ways of thinking. Once you are able to resolve the conflicts from the past, the universe will align events in your favour.