Illustration by Pamela Colman Smith, 1910. Public domain in the US since 1966 and in the UK since 2021. Vector digitisation of the Rider–Waite–Smith deck by OpenClipart contributor "klaatu-tarot", released public domain.
Six of Cups
Nostalgia and the Inner Child
Memory as balm: the past's sweetness can heal, until living there crowds out the present.
The Six of Cups is a sanctuary of memory. It evokes the tender, uncorrupted emotions of childhood, suggesting that healing can be found by reconnecting with our most innocent selves. It represents karmic ties, past-life connections, and the resurgence of old, familiar loves. The cups here are filled not with volatile water, but with blooming flowers—the blossomed potential of past seeds. It is a reminder that while we cannot live in the past, the sweetness of its lessons is a vital balm for the soul's ongoing journey.
Light
Embrace your playful nature, reconnect with old friends, and draw strength from happy memories. A time of innocence, sharing, and gentle healing.
Shadow
Being stuck in the past, refusing to grow up, or clinging to an idealized version of history that prevents present engagement.
