Astrology of the Suit of Cups in Tarot: Planetary Meanings & Zodiac Correspondences

The Suit of Cups in tarot is deeply tied to the element of Water – a symbol of emotion, intuition, and the inner world. But beneath the surface, each Cups card is also connected to precise astrological forces: planetary placements, zodiac signs, and energetic currents that shape how these cards show up in a reading.

This guide explores the full astrological breakdown of the Suit of Cups – revealing how the planets and zodiac signs deepen the emotional language of tarot. If you’ve ever felt that certain Cups cards carry specific moods, temperaments, or spiritual frequencies, this is why.

Further reading: The Suit of Cups in Tarot: 14 Ways of Feeling

This companion guide breaks down every Cups card through the lens of emotional development and psychic growth. Perfect for deepening your tarot practice.

Whether you’re a tarot reader, astrology enthusiast, or simply curious about the link between cosmic forces and emotional symbolism, this guide is for you.

The Element of Water and the Suit of Cups

All Cups cards are ruled by the element of Water, which is traditionally associated with the zodiac signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These three water signs infuse the suit with their emotional depth, sensitivity, and psychic awareness.

• Cancer (Cardinal Water) – nurtures emotional safety, memory, and attachment
• Scorpio (Fixed Water) – explores intensity, grief, transformation, and shadow
• Pisces (Mutable Water) – dissolves boundaries, dreams, and merges with the divine

But we can go further. Every numbered and court card in the Suit of Cups also holds a specific planetary correspondence that reveals how its emotional tone plays out. These correspondences stem from the Golden Dawn tradition and the decans of the zodiac.

Astrological Correspondences for the Suit of Cups

Below is a breakdown of each Cups card and its associated astrological placement.

Ace of Cups

Elemental Root of Water

This card represents pure, undivided Water – the sacred source of feeling and emotional potential. It is not assigned a specific zodiac or planet but rather the raw elemental energy of Water itself.

Two of Cups

Venus in Cancer

Love, connection, emotional safety. This pairing highlights nurturing relationships, romantic attraction, and the desire for closeness. Venus in Cancer seeks softness, shared values, and emotional reciprocity.

Three of Cups

Mercury in Cancer

Communication that flows from the heart. This combination brings joyful connection, shared expression, and emotionally intelligent conversation. Think celebration, reunion, and the language of love.

Four of Cups

Moon in Cancer

The internal tide. This pairing reflects emotional withdrawal, introspection, and the need for solitude to understand our true desires. The Moon’s natural rulership of Cancer makes this a deeply reflective placement.

Five of Cups

Mars in Scorpio

Intense emotional pain, grief, and transformation. Mars in Scorpio faces emotional loss head-on – but also finds power in what must be released. A card of sorrow, but also of sacred emotional evolution.

Six of Cups

Sun in Scorpio

Nostalgia, memory, and emotional depth. The Sun in Scorpio shines light on the past – particularly childhood, roots, or soul-level connections. There's joy here, but also a longing that runs deep.

Seven of Cups

Venus in Scorpio

Temptation, fantasy, and emotional confusion. Venus in Scorpio seeks intensity and desire, sometimes at the cost of clarity. This card brings allure – but also illusion. A test of discernment.

Eight of Cups

Saturn in Pisces

Emotional boundaries and the choice to walk away. Saturn in Pisces teaches us when to surrender, when to release, and how to honour emotional endings. A card of spiritual discipline through feeling.

Nine of Cups

Jupiter in Pisces

Emotional abundance, spiritual fulfilment, and the granting of heartfelt wishes. Jupiter in Pisces expands intuition, compassion, and the joy of being emotionally aligned. The classic “wish card.”

Ten of Cups

Mars in Pisces

Emotional momentum toward ideal harmony. Mars in Pisces moves softly but with purpose – toward unity, love, and the dream of peace. This card reflects the pursuit and attainment of soul-level happiness.

Page of Cups

Earth of Water

The Page holds the practical expression of Water – intuitive messages, emotional beginnings, and creative exploration. A gentle invitation to feel and trust what arises.

Knight of Cups

Air of Water

Romantic, poetic, and idealistic. The Knight carries emotion through movement – often as a quest for love, inspiration, or truth. This is the dreamer in motion, guided by feeling.

Queen of Cups

Water of Water

The most emotionally attuned of all court cards. The Queen of Cups holds space for the entire emotional spectrum – intuitive, compassionate, and spiritually receptive.

King of Cups

Fire of Water

Emotional mastery through presence. The King of Cups leads with empathy and maturity – capable of feeling deeply without becoming overwhelmed. A calm heart in chaotic waters.

Final Thoughts: Linking Tarot and Astrology

Each Cups card carries a planetary frequency – and by learning to read these energies, we gain new layers of insight into the emotional tone of any tarot spread. You might begin to notice astrological patterns in your readings, or find yourself tuning into the planetary influence behind a certain feeling or moment.

The more you work with these correspondences, the more fluent your understanding of emotional symbolism becomes – not just in tarot, but in life.