Breakups and divorces are transformative moments that mark a before and after in our lives, and there are certainly many tarot cards that can foretell such events.

In today’s article, we’ll focus specifically on the Minor Arcana, as there are quite a few cards that can indicate the end of a romantic relationship for various reasons and with diverse consequences.

Breakups and Divorces in Tarot

10 Key Cards of the Minor Arcana

Tarot is a reflective tool that offers clarity and comfort, especially through the Minor Arcana, which hold profound lessons and warnings to help us navigate the uncertainties of human relationships.
That’s why I wanted to explore in this article the 10 Minor Arcana cards that, in my personal view, are most often associated with breakups, divorces, and the end of romantic relationships.

Of course, these are not the only ones. I’ve deliberately left out the Major Arcana and a few other cards from the suits, which you might think should be included. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

A single card does not equal a breakup

It’s vital to understand that a single card does not absolutely determine a romantic breakup. Although each of the 10 cards listed here carries a “core message” that could suggest the possibility of a relationship ending, they should be viewed within the broader context of a complete reading and the personal situation of the person consulting the deck.
As you know, Tarot works as a symbolic language, where context and the combination of cards play a fundamental role in interpreting messages. So, while these cards may indicate tendencies or energies surrounding the end of love, they should not be seen as a definitive confirmation of a breakup without considering the bigger picture represented in the entire spread.

Breakups and Divorces in Tarot: Discover the 10 Key Cards of the Minor Arcana

Important: The order of this list is not a ranking from the card that most represents a breakup to the one that least does. I’ve just ordered them by suits, okay?

Breakups in the Suit of Swords

Ace of Swords

Although this card isn’t traditionally associated with romantic breakups, it can be interpreted as representing a significant change or important revelation due to its connection with clarity, truth, and a clean break.
Let’s explore how this card might relate to the end of a relationship:

Clarity and Truth

The Ace of Swords symbolizes mental clarity and truth, cutting through illusions and lies. In the context of a relationship, it can represent the moment when one or both partners see the reality of their romantic situation clearly.
If the relationship is built on falsehoods, misunderstandings, or unrealistic expectations, the Ace of Swords might signify the decisive moment when the truth comes to light, often leading to a breakup or separation.

Decisions and Resolutions

This card also represents the making of important decisions, spurred by newfound understanding or perspective. When it comes to matters of the heart, the Ace of Swords may symbolize the difficult but necessary decision to end a relationship that’s no longer healthy or beneficial for those involved.
This “sharp sword” can cut ties that no longer serve, allowing people to move toward a more authentic and healthier future.

The Start of a New Cycle

While aces generally symbolize new beginnings, for the Ace of Swords, this new start requires a cut, the end of something that no longer works.
In terms of a relationship, this could mean the end of a phase and the beginning of a new life without the former partner, where clarity and acceptance of the truth enable healing and personal growth.

Overcoming Denial

The appearance of the Ace of Swords can indicate that someone has overcome denial or the inability to face the problems within the relationship. It marks a moment of acceptance and the willingness to confront reality, even if that means acknowledging that the relationship has run its course.

Three of Swords

This is one of the Tarot cards most directly associated with emotional pain and romantic breakups. Here are four main reasons why this painful figure is commonly interpreted as an indicator of separation or heartbreak:

Heartbreak

The typical image of the Three of Swords shows a heart pierced by three swords, a clear symbol of emotional wounding and pain. In the context of a relationship, this image vividly represents the suffering that comes with betrayal, disappointment, or separation.
It’s a graphic representation of the pain felt when the bonds of love break, making it one of the most explicit breakup cards in Tarot.

Confronting a Painful Truth

The Three of Swords also symbolizes confronting a painful truth. In a relationship, this could mean realizing that feelings are no longer mutual, that there’s been infidelity, or that the relationship simply isn’t what it once was.
This card suggests a moment of painful clarity and the inevitability of facing the reality of the situation, often leading to a breakup.

Grieving and Letting Go

Though the Three of Swords is full of pain, it also carries the concept of release, meaning the pain represented by the card is a necessary step in the grieving process that follows a romantic breakup.
It indicates the importance of feeling and accepting the pain in order to move forward, so the card suggests that only through experiencing this pain can one begin the healing process and eventually find peace.

Need for Emotional Healing

This card might appear as a reminder that after a breakup, it’s essential to focus on emotional healing, as the intense pain, though difficult, can also be a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
The Three of Swords urges us to look deeply within, confront our deepest wounds, and learn from the experience and heal, allowing us to eventually open up to new and healthier relationships and experiences.

Ten of Swords

This is another highly graphic card associated with painful endings and definitive closures. Here are some reasons why this card can be seen as a sign of romantic breakups:

Finality and Inevitable Conclusion

The traditional image of the Ten of Swords shows a figure lying on the ground with ten swords in their back, a powerful symbol of an abrupt and definitive ending.
In the context of a relationship, this card can represent the unavoidable conclusion of a romantic chapter, where there’s no turning back and the relationship has ended irrevocably. It’s the acceptance that a situation cannot be salvaged or changed, and it’s time to let it go.

Betrayal and Deep Pain

The Ten of Swords also symbolizes betrayal and extreme pain, like being stabbed in the back, which is a metaphor for the betrayal or disloyalty that can occur in a relationship.
It may indicate that the breakup was the result of deception, lies, or infidelity that has been uncovered, causing deep emotional harm and a sense of devastation.

Overcoming the Worst Moment

While this grim figure indicates a moment of great pain, it also suggests that this is the most extreme point, the worst has already happened, which can mean that although the pain is intense, it also marks the beginning of the healing process.
The situation cannot get worse; we’re at rock bottom, and from here, we can only move forward and start rebuilding.

Release and Renewal

Despite its dramatic nature, the Ten of Swords also carries a promise of release and renewal. This can be interpreted as the release from a situation that was harmful or no longer served the well-being of both partners.
Though the breakup may be painful, it also opens the door to new opportunities and the possibility of finding a healthier and more fulfilling love in the future for both of them.
 

Breakups and Divorces in Tarot: The Suit of Pentacles

Ten of Pentacles Reversed

The Ten of Pentacles, when it appears reversed, can take on meanings related to loss, dissatisfaction, and unresolved issues, especially in contexts involving family, home, and finances.
Here are four reasons why this minor arcana card of pentacles may be interpreted as an indicator of romantic breakups:

Collapse of Family Structure

Upright, the Ten of Pentacles represents stability, security, and happiness in a family and domestic setting, but reversed, it can signal the opposite.
We should understand that this card often represents long-standing marriages or relationships that have run their course, where everything has been exhausted and boredom has taken over.

Here we might see family disagreements, disunity, or the collapse of what was once a secure and harmonious home.

For a romantic relationship, this could mean that unresolved problems or accumulated tensions are deeply affecting the family dynamic and the relationship itself, leading to a possible breakup.

Financial Problems Affecting the Relationship

The Ten of Pentacles also deals with issues of wealth and financial security, and it may indicate financial problems that are testing the relationship, such as debts, poor management of shared resources, or disagreements over spending and investments.
These financial issues can create unbearable tension, leading to a separation or divorce, which often also causes financial loss and, in some cases, ruin.

Loss of Shared Goals and Values

Upright, this figure suggests shared values and goals that unite people, but when reversed, it can suggest that the couple has lost sight of their common goals or no longer shares the same values, often a precursor to constant conflicts that eventually lead to a breakup.

Dissatisfaction and Lack of Fulfillment

Although the Ten of Pentacles represents the culmination of a journey toward fulfillment and happiness, its reversal can indicate that despite having it all, there is deep dissatisfaction or a sense of lack.
In a couple, this might manifest as the feeling that something fundamental is missing, or that the expectations of one or both partners have not been met, leading them to question the viability of the relationship in the long term.

Breakups and Divorces in Tarot: The Suit of Cups

Ace of Cups Reversed

This reversed Ace brings a unique set of interpretations, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
Unlike its upright position, where it symbolizes the beginning of new relationships, love, and emotional happiness, its reversed appearance can signal serious problems in the romantic sphere:

Emotional Blockages

This figure often indicates that there are emotional blockages preventing love from flowing freely. Keep in mind that this card usually refers to a very new, recent relationship that starts losing its initial momentum.
It can suggest that one or both partners feel unsatisfied, disconnected, or unable to express their emotions freely, which can lead to dissatisfaction and, eventually, a breakup.

Loss of Interest or Love

This reversed card can suggest that the interest or romantic feelings, which began strongly, are fading.
This could manifest as a loss of attraction, indifference, or the sense that the initial spark has evaporated and that it’s not true love, often a precursor to separation.

Relationships That Don’t Evolve

The Ace of Cups reversed can indicate a relationship that has stopped growing and evolving, where instead of new beginnings and emotional opportunities, there is stagnation and a lack of development.
This may lead both partners to question their future together and, ultimately, consider going their separate ways.

Disillusionment and Disappointment

The card can also symbolize the disillusionment that emotional expectations have not been met. Perhaps the relationship seemed promising at first but failed to deliver the depth or meaning one or both were expecting.
This disappointment may lead to reflection and questioning whether continuing the relationship is the right choice, as there’s a sense (or at least a feeling) that the other is not “the one,” the person meant to be your other half.

Two of Cups Reversed

The Two of Cups upright clarifies it: It’s a fantastic relationship, honest, full of feelings, but just getting started, and it’s unclear if it will last.
When the card is reversed, we probably already know it won’t last—that all that began so real, so sincere, has disappeared for some of the following reasons, among others:

Emotional Disconnection

Here, we experience an emotional disconnection or distance that has developed in the relationship, either due to a lack of mutual understanding, poor communication, or simply feeling no longer on the same wavelength, which can lead to a breakup if unresolved.

Conflicts and Disagreements

While the upright Two of Cups reflects balance and reciprocity, its reversal can indicate that conflicts and disagreements have become dominant in the relationship.
These disputes may be over trivial matters or deeper issues, but the result is the same: a sense of discord and discontent that erodes the original connection, possibly leading both partners to reconsider their future together.

Loss of Equality in the Relationship

This card also represents equality and mutual respect, but when reversed, it may indicate an imbalance in the relationship dynamic, where one partner feels they are giving more than the other.
There’s a constant feeling that their needs and desires are not being equally valued or met, and this kind of imbalance can lead to resentment and, eventually, a breakup if not properly addressed.

Lack of Commitment or Seriousness

The reversed Two of Cups may reveal a lack of commitment or seriousness about the relationship on the part of one or both individuals.
Perhaps what started as a deep connection has lost its sense of purpose or direction, or one of the partners was never truly committed to the relationship long-term. This lack of serious commitment can be a catalyst for a breakup, especially if one of the partners is seeking a deeper, more meaningful relationship.

Five of Cups

The Five of Cups is a card that is undoubtedly associated with disappointment, grief, and sadness—elements closely tied to the experience of romantic breakups. Here are a few reasons why this card can be an indicator of endings in relationships:

Focus on Loss and Regret

This card number 5 symbolizes the pain that accompanies loss and can represent the moment of mourning for what has been lost. It reflects the sadness and regret felt when looking back at the good times, dreams, and hopes that have crumbled along with the relationship. This focus on the past and on what could have been, but wasn’t, is characteristic of the energy of the Five of Cups.

Difficulty Seeing the Positive

In this card’s illustration, we see a person lamenting over spilled cups while ignoring the still-intact cups behind them.
This can be interpreted as a tendency to focus exclusively on the negative aspects of the situation, missing out on positive opportunities or the potential for personal growth that still exist.

In a romantic breakup, this could mean that one of the individuals is so caught up in their sadness that they’re unable to see the path to recovery or acknowledge that the end of the relationship might actually be the best thing for their long-term well-being.

Feelings of Regret and Guilt

The Five of Cups also speaks to regret and guilt, the internal struggle and self-blame that often follow a romantic breakup.
It might suggest that one or both partners blame themselves for what went wrong, replaying past mistakes and constantly wondering, “What if…?”

Need to Let Go and Move On

Despite its predominantly somber tone, the Five of Cups carries with it an implicit message about the importance of overcoming sadness and moving forward. It suggests that to heal and find happiness again, the person must accept the loss, learn from the experience, and let go of the past.
In terms of a romantic breakup, this means recognizing that despite the sadness, life goes on, and there are other opportunities waiting to be discovered.

Eight of Cups

This elusive figure symbolizes transition, the act of walking away from the known into the unknown, and the need to leave behind situations or relationships that no longer serve someone’s emotional well-being. Here are some reasons why it might signal romantic separations and breakups:

Search for Emotional Fulfillment

The Eight of Cups represents a moment in life when a person decides it’s time to move on from their current situation because it no longer brings them happiness or growth.
I always say in my readings that the figure in the card has those eight shiny cups neatly stacked, and they should be enough—but they aren’t, which is why they’re walking away. Even though what they have looks brilliant and convenient, it’s not enough for them.

They’re not leaving for any concrete reason—they’re heading off into the unknown, searching for something they don’t even know if they’ll find. But they’re sure of one thing: they no longer want these cups because they’re not meeting their deeper emotional needs.

Leaving Behind What’s Unsatisfying

This card suggests a conscious act of walking away, a voluntary movement away from something that has become unsatisfying or painful.
This strong awareness can symbolize the difficult decision to end a relationship that no longer feels enriching or has been more harmful than beneficial, despite the emotional bonds or shared history.

Need for Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

The journey represented by the Eight of Cups is one of self-discovery, leading someone to venture into the unknown to find their true purpose or happiness.
In a love reading, this could reflect the need to step away from the relationship to explore their own identity, desires, and needs without the limitations of the current relationship.

Overcoming Fear and Insecurity

Though leaving behind the familiar can be scary, the Eight of Cups encourages us to face those fears and move forward into a new life.
In the context of a breakup, this card symbolizes the courage required to end a relationship that’s no longer healthy or satisfying, overcoming the insecurity of “what happens next” and trusting that it’s a necessary step toward personal well-being.

Ten of Cups Reversed

This card, which in its upright position represents complete happiness, harmony, and fulfillment in relationships and family life, when reversed, can point to problems in paradise, showing a very different picture:

Disillusionment in Relationships

While the upright card speaks of an idyllic state of happiness and unity, its reversed version can represent disillusionment or disappointment with what was once thought to be a perfect relationship.
This means realizing that expectations don’t match reality, leading to serious questions about the viability and satisfaction within the relationship, and eventually, leading to a breakup when one or both feel they cannot achieve the promised happiness.

Broken Family Happiness

The Ten of Cups reversed can indicate problems in the home or family dynamics that directly affect the romantic relationship. This might include family disputes, issues with children, or disagreements about the family’s future that can erode the relationship to the point of separation.
Perhaps one of the hardest things this card announces or brings is that we have a breakup, often unexpected, happening suddenly without explanations. You go to bed one night with one reality and wake up to another, confusing and painful.

Loss of Connection and Communication

This reversed card may point to a loss of connection and communication between the couple, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness even when they’re together.
The lack of open, honest dialogue can cause small problems to become significant barriers, eventually leading to a breakup due to the inability to resolve issues together.

Lack of Fulfillment and Joy

The Ten of Cups reversed can reflect a lack of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment in the relationship. The happy moments might be less frequent, and routine and unhappiness have replaced the joy that once characterized the union.
This lack of happiness may push the lovers to reconsider their relationship and, potentially, decide that it’s time to go separate ways in search of greater personal fulfillment.

Breakups and Divorces in Tarot: The Suit of Wands

Four of Wands Reversed

This upright Wands card symbolizes celebration, stability, and happiness in relationships and significant events like weddings or family gatherings. But when this card appears reversed, its positive meanings are overturned or blocked for some of the following reasons that may indicate romantic breakups:

Postponed or Canceled Celebrations

The Four of Wands upright is often a card of celebrations and important ceremonies, including weddings. But when reversed, it can indicate that wedding plans or important relationship-related events are being delayed, canceled, or facing significant obstacles.
This may reflect underlying issues in the relationship preventing progress toward these happy milestones, possibly leading to a breakup if differences are irreconcilable.

Lack of Stability and Security

Being a card that represents stability and security in the home and in relationships, when reversed, it can signal a lack of solid foundations in the couple, where security and trust have been compromised.
This instability might manifest as constant arguments, a lack of commitment, or a general feeling of insecurity that could push the couple toward separation.

Disagreements on Long-Term Plans

The reversed Four of Wands can suggest that there are significant disagreements between the couple about the future and their long-term plans.
One partner may want to move in one direction while the other has different aspirations or fears, creating a deadlock that can lead to a breakup if a satisfactory compromise isn’t reached.

Loss of Harmony and Connection in the Home

We know that the upright version of this card represents a home full of harmony, happiness, and shared celebrations, symbolizing the union and warmth of the family or couple. But when this card appears reversed, it can indicate that the sense of belonging and connection within the home has significantly deteriorated.
While this doesn’t necessarily point to a complete breakup, it suggests an environment where family members or the couple live under the same roof but are emotionally distant, each immersed in their own world and disconnected from the others and their needs.

This disconnection can manifest as a lack of communication, disinterest in participating in joint activities, or a lack of affection and mutual support. As a result, the home, instead of being a haven of love and understanding, becomes a shared space of loneliness, where the lack of harmony and emotional disconnection prevails.

In this context, the reversed Four of Wands warns of the importance of addressing these issues before the lack of connection leads to a total breakup or a radical change in the relationship or family dynamic.

Final Thoughts on Our Guide to Breakups and Divorces in Tarot

As we conclude this journey through the 10 Minor Arcana cards that symbolize divorces, breakups, and separations, it’s important to reflect on the transformative power that these life moments can hold.
Breakups, though painful and challenging, offer us the opportunity to reevaluate our lives, our choices, and our direction. Tarot, with its rich symbolism, gives us the chance to look beyond the surface of our pain and find the thread of hope and rebirth that underlies every human experience.

The cards we’ve explored today not only warn us of possible endings but also encourage us to seek the truth within ourselves and to learn from our past experiences.

They remind us that while one part of our life may be concluding, there are infinite possibilities and new paths waiting to be discovered. The wisdom of Tarot lies in its ability to mirror the depths of our soul and guide us toward a deeper understanding of our own nature and destiny.

The lessons learned through the Tarot cards urge us to free ourselves from patterns and relationships that no longer serve us, allowing us to move forward into a brighter and more authentic future for ourselves and for the person who, until recently, was by our side.

What do you think?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections on the topic we’ve covered today. Do you agree with these cards? Would you add others? Remove some from the list? Let me know your opinion in the comments! Remember, I always read and respond to them… Thank you, and see you in the next article!