Two of Cups Tarot Card Meanings and Combinations

Picture of Two of Cups card from the Easy Tarot kit

Suit Element:
Water, female, passive energy - emotions

Keywords and Phrases:
Loving union and close bond.

Two of Cups Tarot Card Meanings

As the Ace of Cups shows the start of a new relationship so the Two of Cups indicates a deepening bond and progression in a relationship, taking things to the next stage. For those dating it may lead to engagement or marriage. When appearing in a spread for a longstanding couple it normally shows a strong meaningful relationship, where the couple share a deep bond, friends and lovers, almost inseparable.

For singles: an interesting twist with this card is when the Two of Cups appears before the Ace of Cups, often indicating a friendship blossoming into romance, where the two people are already known to one another and very attuned - with the absence of the Ace the potential for relationship exists.

If reversed or ill-dignified, problems to an existing relationship, can show division.

Associations:
Similar or supporting cards: The Lovers (love relationship) all supporting marriage cards, Temperance (harmonious bond)

Opposing or contradictory cards: Three of Swords (quarrels and upheaval) Five of Cups (let down or betrayal).

Two of Cups Tarot Card Combinations:

For many readers, this is the card of engagement or marriage, although I prefer the Ten of Cups (but this is personal preference, as many see the Ten as happy home life, covered in later section). With the number two I see it as ‘continuation of,’ a progression, but in combination with other marriage cards would form part of that progression and association.

Knight of Cups > Ace of Pentacles > Two of Cups: marriage proposal and engagement (proposal, ring, engagement)

> Two of Wands: ‘mom and pop’ business, partnership in love and work.

> Ten of Pentacles: setting up home together (also, Knight of Wands > Two of Cups > Ten of Pentacles)

> Ace of Wands > The Empress > Ace of Cups: “We’ve got news!” A new addition to the family, expanding your brood.

> Three of Swords > Death: the end of the affair, usually permanent split (unless immediately followed by Judgement).

The Moon > Two of Cups > The Devil: partner keeping secrets, (if Five of Swords then someone’s taking advantage, devious)

> Hierophant > Three of Cups: marriage and wedding celebrations (also strengthened with Lovers, Ten of Cups).

You'll find more information to help you in Easy Tarot: Learn to Read the Cards Once and For All! book and card set. Available from bookshops and online:
Llewellyn, Amazon.com Amazon UK, Wordery, & Book Depository

Material provided here is in addition and complementary to the kit. Copyrighted material displayed with permission of Llewellyn Please see my notes regarding combinations and reversals on the main index page.

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