The Eight of Cups stands for those moments when we realize, once and for all, that the past is gone. What was true is no longer true. The signs of change are in our face, and we must accept them. It is time to move on. For example, when a group is bout to break up, people give off subtle signs to that effect. They display a certain restlessness. They arrive late to meetings, communicate less and seem distracted. At some level, the participants know it is time to move on, but they need a while to work up to that final step. This process applies in many situations where an ending is approaching. Nothing is permanent in life. Sooner or later, everything slips away or we slip away from it.

Moving on can mean a physical change such as leaving a job, location or relationship. It can also mean an inner change - releasing old patterns, especially those that have dominated our thoughts and emotions. On The Eight of Cups, we see a man leaving on a journey. He has turned away from his old feelings to strike out a new path. Sometimes, moving on can mean searching for a deeper truth or reality. One day we wake up and realize that we have been asleep in our own lives - living a dream that no longer satisfies.

Some changes can be wearying. Endings are not always easy. One of the signs of a readiness to leave is lack of energy. When you feel tired and dispirited, you know that something is wrong, and its time for a new direction. Reexamine your life and your priorities. You will find where in your life you need to move on. A person with The Eight of Cups can thus feel drained by demands from everyone. He is always dragging through the day ad keeps feeling tired and listless. Such a person is always lacking energy of every sort. He often loses hope and is always getting weighed down by worries of some kind. A person with The Eight of Cups usually becomes burned out.

The Eight of Cups can also be associated with focusing on personal truth and insight. It indicates leaving the rat race and looking for answers. A person with The Eight of Cups believes in concentrating on what is important. This card can be related to a new journey of discovery  and finding out the facts. It can also be related to devoting more time to the spiritual. The Eight of Cups can also be associated with realizing that the current cycle is over. A person with The Eight of Cups in his hand is the kind of person who abandons a hopeless situation. He usually disentangles himself and often starts on a trip of an unknown length. Such a person believes in letting go. He finishes up what he started and then walks away. The following can be associated with The Eight of Cups :

• Deeper meaning
• Moving on
• Weariness