The Four of Cups is sometimes understood as apathy. Readers like Rachel Pollack and Mary Greer consider this card tough to read so you are in good company if you do as well.
Should the figure take the cup? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends not only on what is in the cup, but also what the figure desires or is ready to accept.
The cup on offer is neither positive nor negative. The figure, too, lacks any specific charge.
So, what does the figure in this card want?
Perhaps we could turn to the legendary Goldilocks to help us consider our relationship to this card. Goldilocks wants porridge. That much is clear. So, what does the figure in this card want? Do they know what they want? If not, is it because they are shut down? Because they don’t know all the options? Because nothing looks good on the menu? Because they are healing a disappointment?
If the figure cannot currently be clear about what they want it will be best to stop there for the time being. If a person is despondent because obligations or limitations prevent one from doing what one wants. Acceptance of one’s lot might be what the cup offers and there is nothing to quicken us to such a profound moment. It comes when it comes.
As for Goldilocks, she is looking for just the right bowl of porridge and what is in that cup is just not the right temperature. It is okay not to settle and Goldilocks will concur 100%, she did, in fact find the bowl of porridge that was just right.
The original oral version of the story featured three male bachelor bears confronting a cunning fox who had eaten too much and fallen asleep in the house she was robbing.
In the first written versions the main character is an old woman who winds up impaled on a church steeple for her crimes of breaking and entering.
there is a vast difference between the actions of those who know better
In the modern version of Goldilocks, we might understand that there is a vast difference between the actions of those who know better and those who do not. The child Goldilocks gets a good fright, but easily escapes and has hopefully learned a lesson about respecting the space of others.
There very well may be an element of self-understanding that needs to come into play. If one is denying themselves something, perhaps forgiveness for what you did not know is in order.
The main message in the Four of Cups from my point of view is that we should take our time in choosing what we accept.
May our wounds be beloved.
Author of Daydream Tarot: A Basic Guide for Visionaries
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