Three of Cups
Maidens in a garden-ground with cups uplifted, as if pledging one another. Divinatory Meanings: The conclusion of any matter in plenty, perfection and merriment; happy issue, victory, fulfilment, solace, healing. Reversed: Expedition, dispatch, achievement, end. It signifies also the side of excess in physical enjoyment, and the pleasures of the senses.
A. E. Waite, Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911)
The maiden becomes a bride and leaves behind forever her virginity and her innocence. It is a completion of the initial attraction, feelings are expressed, accepted and shared and then it is a spiritual union with another. The healing power of true unselfish love. New dimension of life is unfolding, the feeling of joy and promise, birth of a child. This is a transition card heralding further developments. Enjoy it while you can.
3 of Water: Celebration
These three women dancing in the wind and the rain remind us that celebration never need depend on outside circumstances. We need not wait for a special holiday or a formal occasion, nor a sunny and cloudless day. True celebration arises from a joy that is first experienced deep within, and spills over into an overflow of song and dance and laughter, and yes, even tears of gratitude.
When you choose this card, it indicates that you are becoming more and more available and open to the many opportunities that are to celebrate in life, and to spread this by contagion to others. Don't bother about scheduling a party on your calendar. Let your hair down, take your shoes off, and start splashing in the puddles right now. The party is happening all around you every moment!
Tarot of the Ages - Mario Garizio ©1988 U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Rather than simply two forces working together towards the purposes of love and harmony, the Three of Cups represents all kinds of people or groups who work as one. The figures pictured on the Three of Cups are always joyful, celebrating some success together, and thus the card shows us that happy times spent in the company of our friends and loved one become even happier, while sad times become a little less sad. This is one of the many powers of the group, and the community as a whole, that are explored through the card called the Three of Cups.
The influence of the community is very powerful in this card; and though each member of this community is different they can and will often work together in harmony. This card is often a sign of the true power of the group: to bring people of all ages and ways of life together, to achieve a common goal. It is a sign that you should seek out other people to celebrate your success along with you. But bear this in mind: in such groups, it is essential that everyone has common ground, but it is also important that not everyone is the same. It is similarities which bring people together; but it is differences which make them strong. Any occasion where people celebrate together can be indicated by the Three of Cups; including weddings, anniversaries, parties, baby showers, community festivities, etc. For the moment, even though life's problems go on, you can take time out to forget about the hassles of the everyday world and enjoy the company of your friends and loved one. Such respites are often needed before and after periods of high stress, to stop you from getting burned out emotionally or physically. When this card appears and you are in a lot of stress, take some time off to recuperate, and gain the support of friends before returning to battle.
The sentiments expressed on this card are deep and unusual, not fully visible just from the appearance of the card. It is a kind of love that many people search for their entire lives and yet never find, while others do nothing and it seems to flow right to them. If you are one of this latter group, enjoy it as much as you can! If yo are in the first category, maybe you've been looking too hard for that which you already have. Everyone has an abundant life in his or her own way, and the appearance of the Three of Cups is a sign to count your blessings and be thankful for every one.
Tarot of the Dream Enchantress ©2009 Lo Scarabeo