Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Card Definitions & Meaning

Seven of Cups

Seven of Cups is a Minor Arcana tarot card of the suit of Cups.

Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games[1].

In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory purposes[1][2].

Rider-Waite symbolism
Generally speaking, Waite describes these cups as strange chalices of vision. They are all up on a cloud, which may reflect their ungrounded, impractical or transient nature and the over-imagination or confusion of the figure conjuring them. Accordingly, they have been associated with wishful thinking.

There is some dispute as to what the 7 symbols in the cups mean, but tarotologists have some speculation as to the meanings. It may be noted that the exact elements of this vision may be less important than the very act of conjuring them.

This Card represents self-delusion. Ideas that we need not worry about the real world because we might win the lottery.

The cups seem to offer:

• A snake - may represent animal passion and desire. Alternatively, some consider the snake to represent powerful transformative knowledge. The snake around The Magician's waist may offer insight into Waite's intention with this inclusion herein.
• A treasure horde - probably represents wealth and abundance.
• A human head - may represent a potential companion to the seeker (love).
• A castle or tower - may represent power and stability, or one's native land. (contrast with The Tower)
• A laurel wreath - most likely represents victory, honor and status. Note the skull like shadow on the cup itself, which may point to the great dangers of vanity and pride (a deadly sin).
• A dragon - in keeping with the christian imagery of the deck, it is more likely a symbol of evil, anger and envy, calamity. Today, dragons are mostly associated with fantasy, the supernatural, magic.
• A shrouded, glowing figurine - may represent the burning need for the conjurer's self-illumination.

References
1.a b Dummett, Michael (1980). The Game of Tarot. Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd.. ISBN 0-7156-1014-7.
2.Huson, Paul, (2004) Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage, Vermont: Destiny Books, ISBN 0-89281-190-0 Mystical Origins of the Tarot.