Taken together, this spread reads as cautiously positive but emotionally restrained, which fits the no contact context very well. The Ace of Pentacles shows a genuine desire for a fresh, grounded start rather than impulsive messaging, while the Two of Cups confirms that the emotional connection is still mutual and meaningful. However, the Five of Pentacles reveals insecurity and fear around reaching out, with a strong worry about rejection or being shut out again, which explains the hesitation. The Ten of Wands suggests they are emotionally exhausted by the distance and by carrying unspoken feelings, and they do want relief from that burden. The King of Cups at the end does not indicate emotional suppression so much as emotional self control. It shows they are aware of their feelings but want to approach the situation calmly, responsibly, and at the right time. Overall, the cards suggest they are inclined to reach out, but only once they feel emotionally steady and confident enough to handle the outcome, whatever it may be.
The disposition is there and the 2 of cups confirms the feelings, but the next two cards speak of deficiencies and burdens; the end of the spread with the king speaks of maturity; the closing of the spread is positive, as is the beginning.
In this question, we're asking about the attitude one person will take toward another (we're not asking about the people themselves). The kings and queens represent mature energy (unlike, for example, the page cards). Furthermore, being from the suit of cups, it's extremely positive and entirely related to feelings. If it were, for example, a king or queen of swords, I wouldn't see it as positive. The end of the spread tells us that this person will move toward the other on an emotional level and with maturity.
I’m very very new to this, but just from reading the flow of the spread from left to right, I find it interesting that there is a gradual shift from two people appearing to a single person present in the cards. I think this spread is telling the story of their relationship for context - first, a gift, then connection, but they lose their way and feel stuck without trying to find answers. Then I think this person goes through some sort of journey on their own, bearing the weight alone to come through at the end feeling resolute and comfortable in themselves. However, I’m not reading this as they are going to reach out - I feel they intend to move ahead on their own based on the movement from left to right.
I have no idea about all of this really as I’m just dabbling, but I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I very much disagree with this interpretation, though. Tarot allows for a pretty wide range of interpretation, which is both its pro and con, but it seems like you’re going more by what the illustrations are showing, rather than the cards' traditional meaning? Which is also a valid way of reading of course, but careful not to get carried away with it and ignore traditional meanings completely.
That’s fair! There’s no doubt I have a lot to learn. Out of curiosity, I also understand the King of Cups to mean emotional maturity, but in my view in a way that means they won’t reach out. Is there an underlying meaning here I’m missing? If you have any favoured resources for card meanings etc, I’d love to learn more.
P.S. your deck has fully inspired me and I’m absolutely looking to purchase it! It’s so beautiful. Do you enjoy working with it?
The king of cups is emotional maturity, calm in the face of storms. Emotional maturity doesn't mean emotional inaction or suppression - kings (all the kings) represent mastery expressed outwardly. The king of cups doesn't suppress his emotions, he expresses them calmly and maturely. So here, it points to mature emotional expression, not silence.
And yes, I love this deck! I do own other tarot decks, but this Golden Art Nouveau deck is currently the only one I use because the art is so beautiful and the card stock is good quality.
Emotional intelligence and balance - king of cups, can indeed result in emotional silence, especially if they know that person in question doesn’t appreciate or have the capability of understanding their emotionally balanced perspective, all good leaders would have the ability to decide when it’s appropriate to educate others or not. Some storms can be controlled, not all deserve the same treatment.
Indeed, you’re right that context matters. My point is that emotional maturity doesn’t automatically mean silence. A lot of people conflate emotional control with suppressing emotions or avoiding expression
Taken together, this spread reads as cautiously positive but emotionally restrained, which fits the no contact context very well. The Ace of Pentacles shows a genuine desire for a fresh, grounded start rather than impulsive messaging, while the Two of Cups confirms that the emotional connection is still mutual and meaningful. However, the Five of Pentacles reveals insecurity and fear around reaching out, with a strong worry about rejection or being shut out again, which explains the hesitation. The Ten of Wands suggests they are emotionally exhausted by the distance and by carrying unspoken feelings, and they do want relief from that burden. The King of Cups at the end does not indicate emotional suppression so much as emotional self control. It shows they are aware of their feelings but want to approach the situation calmly, responsibly, and at the right time. Overall, the cards suggest they are inclined to reach out, but only once they feel emotionally steady and confident enough to handle the outcome, whatever it may be.
That makes so much sense! Thanks for your reply, it helped me understand these cards better.
The disposition is there and the 2 of cups confirms the feelings, but the next two cards speak of deficiencies and burdens; the end of the spread with the king speaks of maturity; the closing of the spread is positive, as is the beginning.
Could you get more into what you think the king means here? Why exactly do you see it as positive? Thanks for your reply!
In this question, we're asking about the attitude one person will take toward another (we're not asking about the people themselves). The kings and queens represent mature energy (unlike, for example, the page cards). Furthermore, being from the suit of cups, it's extremely positive and entirely related to feelings. If it were, for example, a king or queen of swords, I wouldn't see it as positive. The end of the spread tells us that this person will move toward the other on an emotional level and with maturity.
Great explanation. Thanks so much!
I’m very very new to this, but just from reading the flow of the spread from left to right, I find it interesting that there is a gradual shift from two people appearing to a single person present in the cards. I think this spread is telling the story of their relationship for context - first, a gift, then connection, but they lose their way and feel stuck without trying to find answers. Then I think this person goes through some sort of journey on their own, bearing the weight alone to come through at the end feeling resolute and comfortable in themselves. However, I’m not reading this as they are going to reach out - I feel they intend to move ahead on their own based on the movement from left to right.
I have no idea about all of this really as I’m just dabbling, but I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I very much disagree with this interpretation, though. Tarot allows for a pretty wide range of interpretation, which is both its pro and con, but it seems like you’re going more by what the illustrations are showing, rather than the cards' traditional meaning? Which is also a valid way of reading of course, but careful not to get carried away with it and ignore traditional meanings completely.
That’s fair! There’s no doubt I have a lot to learn. Out of curiosity, I also understand the King of Cups to mean emotional maturity, but in my view in a way that means they won’t reach out. Is there an underlying meaning here I’m missing? If you have any favoured resources for card meanings etc, I’d love to learn more.
P.S. your deck has fully inspired me and I’m absolutely looking to purchase it! It’s so beautiful. Do you enjoy working with it?
The king of cups is emotional maturity, calm in the face of storms. Emotional maturity doesn't mean emotional inaction or suppression - kings (all the kings) represent mastery expressed outwardly. The king of cups doesn't suppress his emotions, he expresses them calmly and maturely. So here, it points to mature emotional expression, not silence.
For resources, my favourites are tarotfate.com and labyrinthos.co.
And yes, I love this deck! I do own other tarot decks, but this Golden Art Nouveau deck is currently the only one I use because the art is so beautiful and the card stock is good quality.
Emotional intelligence and balance - king of cups, can indeed result in emotional silence, especially if they know that person in question doesn’t appreciate or have the capability of understanding their emotionally balanced perspective, all good leaders would have the ability to decide when it’s appropriate to educate others or not. Some storms can be controlled, not all deserve the same treatment.
Indeed, you’re right that context matters. My point is that emotional maturity doesn’t automatically mean silence. A lot of people conflate emotional control with suppressing emotions or avoiding expression