The Three of Cups is a social card in the Minor Arcana.
This card rules celebration with a group of friends, collaborations, and creativity involving others.
It can also be a card representing a new family, whereas the Two of Cups represent marriage or union; the Three of Cups can be a new baby.
But, of course, that would also highly depend on the spread.
And the type of collaborations that are represented by the Three of Cups would be creative such as starting a new art project with a group of friends.
Or it can mean creative outlets enjoyed with a group of friends, such as taking an art or sculpting class.
So this card represents friendship in general. But, first, let's go over the Three of Cups' history and appearance.
The History And Appearance Of The Three of Cups
The Three of Cups has been a popular tarot card since its inception in the 15th century.
Originally called the “ Triple Goddess” or the “Fates,” the Three of Cups represented the three aspects of womanhood – mother, maiden, and crone.
Over time, the card came to represent fertility and abundance and is now often associated with celebrations and joyous occasions.
When you look at the Three of Cups in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, you will see three young women having fun and dancing with one another.
They dance in a circle as they raise their cups, celebrating.
As they look at one another, they have an emotional connection as they see one another with appreciation and respect.
They define the best example of friendship.
You also see on the ground a pumpkin, fruit, and flowers symbolize fertility and abundance.
Let's go over what it means to get the Three of Cups in a reading.
What The Three of Cups Means In A Reading
When this card comes up, it encourages you to get together with a group of friends and have some fun. Indulge in some laughter.
This is a pleasant card and when this card comes up significantly during times of stress and being overworked, take its advice.
Go and have some fun with a group of friends and take a break. It would help if you had it to balance your life.
Additionally, when the Three of Cups appears in a reading, it is often a sign that good things are on the horizon.
This card is all about celebrating, after all.
Whether you're getting engaged, having a baby, or simply enjoying some well-deserved time off, the Three of Cups reminds you to take a moment to enjoy life's successes.
In addition, this is a card of togetherness so that you may spend more time with friends and family.
This card can also represent creation. It has similarities to the Empress.
Therefore, if you are in a creative mode and looking to create a masterpiece, and if this card comes up, you need to make that masterpiece.
Speaking of which, I would love to shout out to Tonya Morton, who owns the newsletter, Juke!
That is her Three of Cups right there!
Juke readers enjoy the unusual. In the twice-weekly emails, they have heard underwater jazz from an Alabama wildlife lover.
And they've read the understated philosophy of a poet from his home by the Norwegian Sea.
An ode to yellow bodega (cannot pronounce that word, sorry) awnings from a New York City photographer.
A new improvisational painting style from an artist in Montana.
Some weeks Juke tells a simple story, honestly.
Other weeks, it's a painful memory confessed with a laugh.
Juke is a sandbox, but it reads like an art journal.
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Finally, this card also has a sense of abundance so that you may feel more financially secure.
You see, this is an excellent card to see in a reading.
And now, onto some storytelling here, but before that, let's review the following:
Aces are new beginnings, and twos are duality or partnership. Threes are creation, groups, and growth.
Therefore, the Ace of Cups represents a woman in love with her boyfriend, and then the Two of Cups represents the couple getting engaged and married.
Now, the Three of Cups means them having a baby.
They created a family. Still not particularly interesting, I know, but trust me, the next one will be a lot more relatable in many ways to so many new parents.
For now, the focus is on the Three of Cups.
What about when the Three of Cups is in reverse?
Three of Cups Reversed
When the Three of Cups shows up in reverse, it can indicate preferring to celebrate anything by yourself.
It also represents the need for alone time or being at the other end of the spectrum, partying too much to the point of destruction.
For example, if you celebrate weight loss success, you may not necessarily want to celebrate your success with others.
On the other hand, if you hit a milestone, you may celebrate by buying yourself a pair of shoes or a new purse.
The same applies if you are making progress with managing your mental health as you work with your therapist.
Again, that is not something you will necessarily want to celebrate with others, but that is a personal win for you.
You may like to share your success with others on your social media sites.
However, that is not the same as physically celebrating with them.
It is still a Three of Cups reverse situation.
And now let's talk about partying too much to the point of destruction.
Again, you see parallels between the Three of Cups reverse and the Devil.
That card represents obsession and unhealthy addictions.
It can mean indulgence too.
Therefore, if you go and celebrate too much to the point of consuming too much booze to the end where you are dealing with an awful hangover or 10,000 calories at a buffet, you will not feel good.
Therefore, that is a Three of Cups reverse situation.
Let's now talk about how to apply the Three of Cups to your daily life.
How To Apply The Three of Cups To Your Daily Life
There are several ways to do that, and you can apply it in reverse, too, when it comes to celebrating personal wins.
Maybe if you are trying to do better with self-care and acknowledging small accomplishments such as working on getting organized, weight loss, as mentioned, or anything else you are working to improve.
If you accomplish something, take this card and remind yourself that you deserve to pat yourself on the back.
Acknowledge those wins.
Also, if you are struggling with your mental health and want to isolate yourself, think of the Three of Cups and realize that the worst thing you can do is isolate yourself.
Even if you don't have any true friends to call, it can encourage you to join some support groups and to reach out to others who can empathize and get what you are enduring.
You can also take the Three of Cups for inspiration if you want to create something new!
Those are the few ways to apply the Three of Cups.
The next card I will talk about is the Four of Cups.
Episode 056: Three Of Cups Tarot Card