Upright Keywords:
Focused on the negative, Boredom, Depression, Missed Opportunities, Nostalgia, Frustration, Regret, Remorse, Refusing an offer, Daydreaming, Yearning, Self-absorbed, Emotionally unavailable
Reversed Keywords:
Focusing on the positive, Being proactive, Motivation, Seizing the day, Opportunities, Enthusiasm, Renewed zest for life, Focus, Self-Awareness
Upright Meaning
When the Four of Cups is turned upright in a reading, it often signals a period in your life when you are unable to take on any new emotional information. You could be going through a period of stagnation and depression, where you are totally focused on yourself and everything that is wrong in your life, with no interest in focusing on the positive aspects.
This, of course, creates a narrative that there only are negative things happening, which in most cases just isn’t true. However, it is important to let yourself feel your emotions, so if you find you are in a rut like this, don’t rush to pull yourself out. Instead, this is an opportunity to explore the things you find yourself focused on.
Releasing can come with the Five of Cups – for now, let yourself wallow in self-absorption if you need to. Perhaps it is time you started putting yourself first, anyway. Ask yourself why you might be emotionally unavailable at this time. This will, of course, lead to stronger bonds in your relationships in the future.
Reversed Meaning
Reversals can indicate that a particular card is asking to be paid special attention to, that you are not yet ready to absorb the upright lessons of the card, or that you are moving on from the lesson of that card or experiencing it to a lesser degree.
Traditionally, a reversed card meaning is the opposite of the upright version. Whatever message a reversed card has for you can be divined using your own intuition, the situation at hand, or clarifying cards being pulled around it.
For the Four of Cups, turning up reversed can mean that the period of self-absorption and navel-gazing is coming to an end, and you are ready to take on the opportunities being presented to you. You may decide to focus on the positive aspects instead of the negative and have an entirely new lease on life.
You could also be doubling down on an intense internal focus, unable to meet any expectations put on you outside of that task. If the lesson isn’t learned now, it’ll come back later, so allow yourself some space from obligations in order to feel into this as deeply as possible.