Three of Cups -

Tarot Card Meaning

Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.

Written by Made Musings

THREE OF CUPS

At a glance:

When the Three of Cups appears, it heralds a time of gatherings and shared happiness.

Upright Keywords:
Celebration, friendship, togetherness

Reversed Keywords:
gossip, need alone time

Numerology:
3 - creativity, expansion, imagination, communication, and social interactions

Three of Cups: Upright Meaning

The Three of Cups features three women joyously raising their cups to the sky in a celebratory toast. Their faces radiate happiness and camaraderie, while the ground beneath them flourishes with flowers and fruit, symbolizing abundance and growth. This card represents celebration, friendship, and community. When the Three of Cups appears, it heralds a time of gatherings and shared happiness. Whether it's a wedding, a reunion, or simply spending quality time with close friends, this card indicates fulfillment by being with those you cherish.

Numerology and Suit Meaning:

  • In numerology, the number 3 is linked to creativity, expansion, imagination, communication, and social interactions. This energy encourages growth and the blossoming of potential.

  • The suit of Cups is associated with intuition, emotions, relationships, and love. Oftentimes, it also deals with spirituality and the subconscious.

  • Elementally, cups are connected to water. An easy way to remember is that cups hold water. Like emotions, water can be calm when it’s flowing in a gentle brook. However, it can also be destructive when it becomes a raging tidal wave.

Love/Relationships

The Three of Cups love meaning signifies the importance of social connections and community. This is the time to get out there and participate in social activities. Group gatherings can strengthen your existing relationships (and potentially lead to new romantic connections!). By surrounding yourself with a community, this will lead you to meet interesting people that are bound to help you in future endeavors.

Money/Career

The Three of Cups highlights the benefits of professional collaboration and teamwork. Working alongside colleagues (versus working alone) will yield positive results and foster a sense of camaraderie in the workplace. Is there a current task where you could reel in a coworker or two to complete it faster?

This card also indicates that there might be reasons to celebrate at work, such as meeting crucial project milestones, promotions, or an impending office party. These celebrations strengthen professional bonds and boost morale. Celebrate your successes and recognize that these  contributions have fostered a supportive and productive work environment.

Spiritual/Self

The Three of Cups emphasizes how community and a sense of belonging is integral to feeling fulfillment and joy. While personal development often feels solitary in nature, this must be balanced with maintaining social connections. If the Three of Cups appears in your reading, that means you should prioritize spending time with others right now. Perhaps it’s time to connect with new people who share your values and beliefs.

“The Three of Cups signifies the importance of social connections and community. This is the time to get out there and participate in social activities. ”

Astrology

The Suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water, which governs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These Zodiac signs are the masters of emotions, intuition, creativity, and transformation. Known for their empathetic and nurturing behaviors, these water signs promote the free flow of feelings as a means to reaching our highest forms of evolution.

Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.

Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.

Reversed Meaning

When the Three of Cups appears reversed, it suggests that the social scene is having a negative effect on your well-being. This card warns against excessive partying, gossip, or boundary issues within a friend group. Surrounding yourself with friends should fulfill you, not exhaust you. Take a step back and examine what is causing you to feel emotionally drained. You may need to find a healthier balance between social activities and personal time.

It may also indicate feelings of isolation. Loneliness usually stems from a lack of meaningful connections, even if you are constantly surrounded by people. Perhaps you are having difficulty making friends or relating to your current social group. In a reading, this is a sign to stop ignoring this part of your life. It is time for you to benefit from the joy of community.  

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CARD SUMMARY

Surround yourself with friends and loved ones that fulfill you!

Learn More about Tarot.

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  • Get a FREE digital Tarot cheatsheet.

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