Tarot

The Three of Cups Tarot Card Meanings Explained

Today we’ll cover the meaning of the Three of Cups tarot card. This is a part of a deep dive series on the tarot.

Summary

CategoryMeaning
UprightCelebration, friendship, creativity
ReversedOverindulgence, conflict
AstrologyMercury in Cancer
LoveJoyful connections, group activities
CareerSuccessful collaborations, networking
FinancesSharing abundance, generosity
PastPositive memories, happy childhood
PresentEnjoyment with friends and family
FutureUpcoming celebrations, happy events

The Three of Cups tarot card description

The Three of Cups tarot card typically depicts three young women or maidens raising cups of wine in a celebration or toast.

They are often shown dancing or gathered in a group, and may be set in a garden or other idyllic outdoor setting. The imagery on the card often includes flowers or fruits, which symbolize abundance and fertility.

The three cups in the card represent emotional fulfillment and a sense of unity or camaraderie among the women.

Overall, the Three of Cups is a symbol of joy, friendship, and celebration, and suggests that a sense of community and shared experience can bring happiness and fulfillment.

The Three of Cups card keywords

Some keywords commonly associated with the Three of Cups tarot card include:

  • Abundance
  • Celebration
  • Community
  • Emotional fulfillment
  • Friendship
  • Fertility
  • Joy
  • Unity
  • Teamwork
  • Social gatherings
  • Reunion
  • Creativity
  • Self-expression
  • Emotional balance
  • Happiness
  • Shared experience
  • Love
  • Emotional harmony
  • Triumph
  • Emotional success
  • A time to enjoy the company of others

Astrology of the Three of Cups card

The Three of Cups is associated with the astrological sign of Cancer.

Cancer is a water sign, which is associated with emotions, intuition, and the ability to connect with others on a deep level.

The imagery of the Three of Cups, with its emphasis on celebration, friendship, and emotional fulfillment, resonates with Cancer’s focus on the importance of close relationships and the role of emotions in one’s life.

Cancer is also associated with the concept of “home” and the importance of family and community. The Three of Cups can suggest that a time of celebration, reunion, and bonding with loved ones is on the horizon.

Additionally, the Three of Cups is also associated with the planet Venus, which is associated with love, beauty, harmony, and balance.

The card can indicate that these energies are present in a person’s life and that they will be able to find balance and fulfillment through relationships and social connections.

Upright Three of Cups tarot card meaning

What is the meaning of the upright Three of Cups card?

The upright Three of Cups tarot card is a positive indication of emotional fulfillment, celebration, and unity in relationships and social connections, suggesting a sense of abundance and happiness. It also suggests a sense of harmony and balance in personal and professional life.

The traditional interpretation of the upright Three of Cups tarot card is one of emotional fulfillment, celebration, and unity.

It suggests that the querent (the person for whom the reading is done) is experiencing a time of joy and happiness in their personal relationships and social connections. They may be surrounded by friends and loved ones who are supportive and bring them happiness.

This card can indicate a time of celebration, such as a wedding, a birth, or a reunion. It can also indicate that the querent is feeling a sense of emotional balance and harmony in their life.

The card can also indicate a sense of abundance, in terms of both material and emotional wealth. They may be experiencing a sense of satisfaction and contentment and may be feeling fulfilled in their personal and professional life.

Overall, the upright Three of Cups is a very positive card that indicates that the querent is experiencing a sense of emotional fulfillment and happiness in their relationships and social connections and that they are surrounded by love and support.

Example upright Three of Cups reading

A real-world example reading of the upright Three of Cups tarot card could be for someone who is planning to get married soon.

This card in this position in the reading suggests that the marriage will be full of joy and celebration, surrounded by friends and loved ones who are supportive and bring happiness. The couple will experience emotional balance and harmony in their relationship.

This card can also indicate that the couple will be able to work well together and achieve success in their life as a team. This card can also indicate that they will be able to create a comfortable and loving home together, and will be able to build a strong and lasting bond.

Reversed Three of Cups card tarot meaning

What is the meaning of the reversed Three of Cups tarot card?

The reversed Three of Cups tarot card is a negative indication of disappointment, emotional imbalance, and a lack of unity in personal relationships and social connections. It suggests a sense of dissatisfaction or unhappiness in their personal relationships and social connections, feeling lonely or unsupported.

The traditional interpretation of the reversed Three of Cups tarot card is one of disappointment, emotional imbalance, and a lack of unity in personal relationships.

It suggests a sense of dissatisfaction or unhappiness in their personal relationships and social connections. They may be feeling lonely or isolated, and may not be receiving the support or love that they need from their friends and loved ones.

In terms of work or career, this card can indicate that the querent is not working well in a team and there may be conflicts and lack of cooperation among the team members. This can lead to a lack of progress in achieving goals and a sense of frustration.

This card can also indicate that the querent is experiencing a sense of emotional imbalance and may be struggling with their feelings. They may be feeling overwhelmed by their emotions and may be having difficulty finding a sense of balance and harmony in their life.

Overall, the reversed Three of Cups is a negative card that suggests disappointment, emotional imbalance, and a lack of unity in their personal relationships and social connections, and may be feeling lonely or unsupported.

Example reversed Three of Cups reading

A real-world example reading of the reversed Three of Cups tarot card could be for someone who is feeling lonely and isolated in their current social circle.

This card suggests that this person may be experiencing disappointment and dissatisfaction in their relationships and social connections, feeling unsupported and unappreciated. They may be feeling like they don’t fit in or like they don’t belong in their current social group.

This card can also indicate that they may be having difficulty expressing themselves emotionally and may be feeling emotionally imbalanced. They may need to take some time to focus on their emotional well-being and try to find a sense of balance and harmony.

This card is also a reminder that it’s important to surround yourself with people that bring you joy and support and to let go of relationships that don’t serve you.

Meanings of the Three of Cups in tarot positions

Depending on the position of the Three of Cups card, you will need to interpret it differently.

Love Three of Cups tarot meaning

The Three of Cups tarot card is often associated with love and relationships when in an upright position.

The imagery of the card, with three women raising cups in celebration and dancing, is a symbol of emotional fulfillment and joy in relationships. When this card appears in a love reading, it suggests that the querent is in a happy and fulfilling relationship.

They may be experiencing a sense of joy and celebration in their love life and are surrounded by love and support from their partner and possibly friends or family.

This card can also indicate that the querent is experiencing a sense of emotional balance and harmony in their relationship and they are able to express themselves freely and openly with their partner.

They may be feeling a strong connection and bond with their partner, and their relationship is likely to be long-lasting and stable.

Additionally, this card can also indicate that the querent is in a good place emotionally to start a new relationship, or it can indicate that they are going to have a social gathering where they will meet someone new, who will become a significant person in their life.

Overall, the upright Three of Cups is a very positive card when it comes to love and relationships, suggesting a time of joy, celebration, and emotional fulfillment in the querent’s love life.

Career Three of Cups tarot meaning

The Three of Cups tarot card is often associated with teamwork, collaboration, and success when it appears in a career context.

The imagery of the card, with three women raising cups in celebration, is a symbol of unity, cooperation, and shared achievement. When this card appears in a career reading, it suggests that the querent is part of a team that works well together and they are able to achieve success through collaboration and cooperation.

This card can also indicate that the querent is experiencing a sense of emotional balance and harmony in their work life and they are able to express themselves freely and openly in their professional life.

They may be feeling a sense of satisfaction and contentment in their job and feeling fulfilled in their professional life.

Additionally, this card can also indicate that the querent is going to have a successful business meeting or event where they will be able to establish new business partnerships or deals.

In summary, the upright Three of Cups in a career context suggests that the querent is experiencing success and fulfillment through teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of emotional balance in their professional life.

Finances Three of Cups tarot meaning

The Three of Cups tarot card, when it appears in a financial context, is often associated with abundance, prosperity, and financial stability.

The imagery of the card, with three women raising cups in celebration, is a symbol of abundance and shared success. When this card appears in a financial reading, it suggests that the querent is experiencing financial stability and abundance.

They may be receiving support from others and working well with a team to achieve their financial goals.

This card can also indicate that the querent is experiencing a sense of emotional balance and harmony in their financial life, and they are able to make wise financial decisions. They may be feeling a sense of satisfaction and contentment with their current financial situation.

Additionally, this card can also indicate that the querent is going to have a good financial opportunity that will bring them prosperity and abundance.

Overall, the upright Three of Cups in a financial context suggests that the querent is experiencing financial stability, abundance, and success through teamwork and balance in their financial life.

Advanced modern tarot interpretations of the Three of Cups card

I always like to examine other, modern decks to see what can be read into their symbolism.

The reason for this is that every person will have different decks, so it’s good to learn how to go with your gut on what you see. This is the best way to have a good interpretation of the moment.

Too many people stick to a learned reading instead of going with the flow. Remember, each reading, deck, person, position, and question is different. Reading the cards is an art, not a science.

Here is a new interpretation of the Three of Cups tarot card:

The Three of Cups tarot card could be focusing on the idea of “tribal connections.” The card depicts three individuals coming together in celebration, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the importance of building and maintaining connections with a tribe, or a group of like-minded individuals.

In today’s society, where people can feel increasingly isolated and disconnected, the card can serve as a reminder to seek out and nurture connections with others who share similar values, beliefs, and goals.

Another unique interpretation could be focusing on the idea of “creative collaboration.”

The card’s imagery of three individuals raising cups in celebration can also be interpreted as a symbol of the power of creative collaboration. The card suggests that when people come together and work together, they can achieve great things.

This interpretation can be applied to various fields, be it art, design, music, business, or any other field where collaboration is key to success. It can serve as a reminder to look for opportunities to collaborate with others and to value the power of teamwork.

Back to the Minor Arcana list.

The previous card was the Two of Cups tarot card and the next card is the Four of Cups card.

References

  • Dean, L. (2018). The Tarot Companion: A Portable Guide to Reading the Cards for Yourself and Others. Fair Winds Press.
Ceridwen

I took an interest in Wicca early on. I was born in the backwoods of upstate New York and always felt a deep connection with nature. I have continued to live in close harmony with nature in rural Connecticut. After twenty years of practice, I have decided to start this educational site on what I’ve learned along the way.

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