The Magic of Before: We’ve all had those moments where a specific scent, like freshly cut grass, a certain brand of laundry detergent, or the smell of a pie baking in the oven, stops us in our tracks. Suddenly, you aren’t a person with a mortgage and a packed calendar; you’re eight years old, sitting on a swing without a single “to-do” list in sight.
This is the realm of the Six of Cups.
This tarot card nudges us to step back into our own history and get lost in “the good old days”. This means reliving the memories but also reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we left behind when life got loud and complicated.
The Wisdom of the Inner Child
In tarot, the Six of Cups speaks of memories. This card is often depicted as children exchanging cups filled with white flowers. It represents a time of emotional purity.
Then we grow up and layer ourselves with armour. We learn to be “productive,” “professional,” and “realistic.” Yet there’s an important question in the background:
What did you love before the world told you what was worth loving?
Think back to your younger self. Maybe you were the kid who could spend hours drawing dragons, the one who tried to “save” every bug in the backyard, or the one who sang at the top of their lungs regardless of who was listening. That version of you didn’t care what other people thought or worried about ROI; they cared about joy.
Why Looking Back Helps You Move Forward
It might feel counterintuitive to look backward when you’re trying to build a future. But the Six of Cups suggests that our childhood memories are a compass.
If you feel burnt out or disconnected today, it might be because you’ve drifted too far from your original spark. Reminiscing offers you a chance to rediscover play or heal the gaps and reclaim yourself. You can do this by acknowledging the moments where your younger self needed more support than they got. This can also let you find the courage to forgive yourself for the mistakes you made while you were still learning how the world worked.
Reflection Prompt for the Week
Set aside ten minutes today to sit with the energy of the Six of Cups. Close your eyes and visualize your younger self.
Ask them: “What is one thing we used to do that made us feel truly alive?”
Listen to the answer. It might be as simple as riding a bike, eating a specific snack, or staring at the clouds. Whatever it is, find a way to honour that memory this week.
The past isn’t just a place we’ve been; it’s the foundation of who we are. Let the Six of Cups remind you that the magic you had as a child is still sitting right there in your heart, waiting for you to come back and play.