Rider Waite (Pamela Colman Smith 1909): Two of Cups
Cups are also referred to as chalices and may be represented by religious grails or goblets. They correspond to the playing card suit of Hearts. This suit represents the element Water, and the social class of Clergy. Cups are considered a Feminine suit. Cups typically represent emotions, love, and spiritual beliefs.
The Twos typically concern couples, polarity, duality, gestation, partnerships, unions, and balancing or opposing forces. They can signify a thesis and antithesis.
Unified love. Partnership. Attraction. Relationships.
The Two of Cups is the card that lovers want to see. It is the minor arcana equivalent of The Lovers. This card can stand for the union of any two entities - people, groups, ideas, or talents. In readings, the Two of Cups tells you to look for connections in your life, especially those that are one-on-one. Now is not the time to separate or stay apart. It is the time to join with another and work as a partnership. If you are in conflict, look for truce and the chance to forgive and be forgiven. If you are struggling with two choices or tendencies within yourself, seek to reconcile them. Usually, the Two of Cups is welcome in a reading, but it can also sound a note of warning. The energy of Two can be very compelling. They create between themselves a world of their own that can feel exclusionary to outsiders. Make sure that the tendency to pair off is not creating disharmony in your situation. This is the card that signifies reconciliation. Struggles come to an end, and harmony is restored to even the most hostile of relationships. Inner conflicts also come into play when this card appears. An inner peace is created. Expect to feel strongly connected to others, but also to other entities that bring two together like ideas or talents.
Reversed Meaning: Break-up. Imbalance in a relationship. Lack of harmony.
This card can indicate that pairing off to the exclusion of all other people and situations is happening. Take the time to bring balance into life by including other factors. Unhealthy relationships that consume all one's energy need to be examined, and a new course of action decided upon.