2 of Cups

Keywords & phrases

• Love and friendship
• Mutual respect
• Emotional contentment
• Marriage/partnership
• Reconciliation
• Meeting of souls
• Balanced relationship
• Emotional balance
• Sharing equally

First impressions

Here is a well balanced scene free of any tension. It speaks instantly of romantic love and attraction.

What is happening in the card?

An elegant couple, two beautiful lovers, equals, share a moment. The two meet and appear to offer each other their cups in celebration of their relationship. They only have eyes for each other.

How can we relate to this card?

The 2 of Cups embodies love’s ideal. The union of two people in a happy, balanced relationship of equals based on love and mutual respect. They are seen here as they embark upon a new chapter together.

Isn’t this what we all aspire to in our own relationships?

Message & affirmations

Today, I am ready, open and willing to welcome more love into my life. I am open to all the ways that love is showing up in my life

My personal experiences of this card

For me this is a card about connection, attraction and mutual respect in relationship.

I recently gave my young (pre-teen) daughter her first Tarot deck – the beautiful, fairytale Robin Wood Tarot – but we decided that I’d hold on to The Lovers card for her until she was older as she was quite ready for the full frontal nakedness in the image.

I suggested that she should use the 2 of Cups in the place of The Lovers until she was more comfortable with the imagery.

The 2 of Cups also suggests to me a relationship with someone with whom you can share your dreams. An idea which is beautifully depicted in the image below from The Fountain Tarot 

Sharing your hopes & dreams • The Star & 2 of Cups from The Fountain Tarot

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
A welcome card in most relationship readings, suggestive of mutual attraction in early stages and also of reconciliation where there has been separation.

In a career spread:
The 2 of Cups can refer to partnerships and friendships and mutually respectful and beneficial relationships in any setting, including the workplace.

In a personal/spiritual development spread:
This card also asks us to examine our relationship with self and prompts us to consider how we treat ourselves – with love, respect as we would a valued partner or friend?

Reversed:
In reversal, the 2 of Cups is suggestive of a block or resistance to reciprocity within a relationship. Perhaps an imbalance or a need for one or other to step forward a little, give a little. Is that person you?

Reversals often speak to your internal focus rather than how you express ourselves externally. In this case, the 2 of Cups prompts you to consider your relationship with self, and asks how loving, giving and respectful are you towards yourself? Is there work to do in this area of self-love?

People & interaction with other cards

Love is in the air when this card appears with The Lovers. And with the Ace of Cups marking the beginning of a new emotional connection. The 9 of Cups would also create beautiful combination, suggesting emotional contentment within a relationship.

With the Justice the focus is on finding balance within your relationship.

The Star with the 2 of Cups, offers hope that you can dare to dream and share your dreams with another.

Questions, prompts & insights

How open are you to giving and receiving in your closest relationships? How do you relate?

Where and who do you look to for support and comfort? Are you getting the support you need from your most significant relationship/s? Are you offering the same level of support and respect? More or less? And how are you treating yourself?

What and who are you attracted to right now?

Featured decks & credits:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot. Also featured images from The Fountain Tarot by Jonathan Saiz, Jason Gruhl and Andi Todaro

The animated image of the 2 of Cups is by Still Small Voice Tarot as part of an ongoing AI art Tarot project.