Challenging the 4 of Cups: Pessimistic or Present?
Preface: This article is one of several in our “Challenging” series. The purpose of these articles is to flip the script on cards that we usually view as difficult, providing a fresh and more positive perspective. If this type of exploration is of interest to you, then feel free to check out the other cards we’ve tackled: The Hierophant, The Devil, Judgement, 5 of Pentacles, 8 of Swords
If ever there was a “bummer” card in the tarot - this would be it. Anyone who works with tarot can probably relate to the deeply unsatisfying feeling that comes with drawing this one. I know I often describe cards in our “Challenging” series by the physical gestures or vocal expressions I make upon pulling them - but seriously, this is eye rolls and “ughs” every single time.
You’d think it would be difficult to write a full piece about this card because it’s just so damn uninspiring! The main character sits under a tree - seemingly over it, bored and full of indifference. Their arms and legs are crossed, indicating they are likely rejecting or ignoring the offering in front of them. Woe is them!
And seriously, if a disembodied hand descending from the heavens can’t rouse them - then what possibly could? For the average person, they would be ecstatic or possibly extremely disturbed. Either way - they’d have some kind of reaction! But not our protagonist in the 4 of Cups. Nope, they are simply too full of apathy to care…or are they?
Now of course, even in the context of this scene, we have to assume all of these images are symbols - metaphors for something else. If we applied this same scenario to the “real world”, it wouldn’t look like hands coming down from heaven. In actuality, it would probably look more like the mundane miracles that happen every day in our lives that go unnoticed because we’re too busy, bored or distracted to care. How many opportunities do we miss when we don’t look up? How many bad moods have spoiled an otherwise amazing occasion?
The 4 of Cups isn’t having it, but maybe we should question why. There is an element of suffering evident in this scene because of course we suffer when we can’t see and feel the good around us. Of course we suffer when we cut ourselves off, close ourselves up and isolate ourselves. So, we have to follow this scene back to its origins and ask: What brought this individual to this specific spot, under this particular tree?
In the story of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, upon learning of the suffering of the world, sets off to find some answers. After many attempts, teachings and trials fail to produce the results he is looking for, it is determined that there is now nowhere left to go, no one left to turn to and nothing left to do. Siddhartha Gautama makes his way to the Bodhi tree and simply sits. It is finally in this space of having given up everything, The Buddha reaches enlightenment and realizes what he was looking for has been with him all along.
Buddha under the Bodhi tree from Wikimedia Commons
Perhaps then there is something to learn here which we can apply to our understanding of the 4 of Cups. Maybe there is more wisdom in this position than we give credit. There is so much messaging in our culture insisting we focus on the positive, look on the bright side, take the high road and get back on that horse! But sometimes we need to dwell on what sucks, we need to go into those deep dark places, we have to confront the shadow side of our experiences. When we deny the position in the 4 of Cups, we deny our wholeness and the lessons our discomfort can teach us. Sometimes those lessons are the actual gifts, rather than the shiny objects designed to distract us.
And with that, maybe it’s just not as simple as saying “he refuses to take what’s being offered! Look at that glorious gift! Such a shame to look a gift horse in the mouth!
As we know, blessings aren’t always blessings, and perhaps this person is just being cautious. Maybe they are taking a much needed pause before they react. Could it be they are waiting for the right moment - like a cobra lying in wait? Not to mention, this scene looks strangely familiar to a certain Major Arcana whose number is 12. In The Hanged Man, we have a figure hanging from a tree with an illuminated halo which points to their enlightenment. Maybe in the 4, what we’re observing is the scene that took place right before the reversal takes place. It could be one last test of faith where we prove our commitment to liberation by demonstrating the mantra “everything I need is within”.
Whether the figure here is being indignant or deliberately seeking their salvation can’t be known. But, I think it’s important to recognize the benefit of taking a 4 of Cups kind of stance at times, and allowing ourselves to go there without shame! It’s ok to take a break. It’s ok to isolate. It’s ok to cross our arms at the world. When we afford ourselves this gift, we allow space and time for things to unfold.
Recap: Yes, this scene looks like a major bummer at first glance, but there are many elements within it that speak to something beautiful that is also available (something mundane, but remarkable at the same time).
The hand holding the cup is a symbol for the divine hand. We see it on all the Aces and in this case, since it’s holding a cup, we can link it directly to the Ace of Cups. This indicates that even if it doesn’t feel that way, love, compassion and emotional nourishment are near by.
The Tree here makes us think there is a connection to The Hanged Man. That’s another card that on first glance looks quite uncomfortable. But, The Hanged Man is actually where things take a turn (yes, I punned) for the better. The emanation around their head - that’s a nod to enlightenment. They aren’t uncomfortable, they’re more chill than most of us living “upright”.
The body language in the 4 of Cups comes close to resembling a meditative posture. It’s not quite there, but perhaps this person is actually readying themselves to enter into that state of presence.
Natural elements in this scene point to a connection with nature. The figure also sits on a hill and while we can’t know its size, mountains and peaks tend to symbolize initiation and overcoming obstacles.
Moral of the story: If you pull this card, don’t feel badly about yourself or what’s to come. This, like the divine hand suggests, is a blessing. Maybe a blessing in disguise, but a blessing none the less. You may not recognize it at first, because it’s going to look like any other day - any ordinary thing, but that’s exactly where we find all of our miracles. Buddha found this thing under the Bodhi tree and we too have the opportunity to do the same when we get still, let go and just listen.
So, go ahead and sit your indignant ass down and wait for your salvation! You won't find your answers out there anyway, and you won’t find them in that cup either! In the Spirit of Morpheus letting Neo in on a very special trick - “there is no cup”. Just a symbol - a metaphor - a visual substitute for what you already have in plenty within. Go find it!