Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

A young man is seated under a tree and contemplates three cups set on the grass before him; an arm issuing from a cloud offers him another cup. His expression notwithstanding is one of discontent with his environment.

About the Deck

Pivotal and canonical, this deck defined a new pattern that would be followed up to the present.

Provenance

Designed by A.E. Waite and Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. England, 1911.

Meaning of Four of Cups from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot Deck

Upright

Weariness, disgust, aversion, imaginary vexations, as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only; another wine, as if a fairy gift, is now offered the wastrel, but he sees no consolation therein. This is also a card of blended pleasure.

Reversed

Novelty, presage, new instruction, new relations.

According to Many Schools of Thought

Papus's Divinatory Meanings

Serious obstacles from others.

A. E. Waite's Secondary Meanings

Upright

Contrarieties.

Reversed

Presentiment.

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Upright

Ennui, Displeasure, Discontent, Dissatisfaction

Reversed

New Acquaintance, Conjecture, Sign, Presentiment.

Mme. Le Marchand's Divinatory Meanings

the marriage will be blessed with twins; a faithful compact