Three of Wands -
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 WANDS
At a glance:
The Three of Wands symbolizes looking forward with a sense of conviction and planning for the future.
Upright Keywords:
Foresight, growth, expansion, conviction
Reversed Keywords:
setbacks, delays, disappointment
Numerology:
Numerology: 3 - creativity, expansion, imagination, communication, and social interactions
Three of Wands: Upright Meaning
The Three of Wands card features a man standing on the edge of a cliff, gazing out over the water where three sailing ships pass by. He is surrounded by three wands planted firmly into the ground, gripping one for support. This image symbolizes looking forward with a sense of conviction and planning for the future. The man’s stance and the ships on the horizon suggest that opportunities for travel or expanding your horizons are on the way, making this a card of forward momentum and strategic foresight.
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 wands primarily symbolizes passion, creativity, determination, and drive. These feelings lead us to take inspired action and manifest our dreams. There is often also an aspect of overcoming challenges or travel.
Elementally, wands are correlated to fire. Like our ambitions, fire is a source of energy. It can help create change such as transforming raw materials into porcelain or metal. However, when it loses control and becomes impulsive, it can lead to destruction.
Love/Relationships
The Three of Wands love meaning indicates that you and your partner are confident about your future and planning your next steps together. This might involve significant commitments such as moving in together, getting engaged, or planning a shared adventure like a trip. For singles, this card suggests being open to new relationships that could expand your world and bring new experiences. The Three of Wands is also a sign that you should be confident in yourself; you are following your dreams and you’ve started to lay down the foundation. You are bound to attract the right person in time.
Money/Career
When it comes to career and finances, the Three of Wands is a promising card. It suggests that you may soon encounter exciting opportunities which will expand the scope of your business and career. This could mean a work trip, a chance to contribute on an international project, or even a new role that pushes your boundaries and allows for growth. The key is to be prepared and proactive, taking full advantage of these opportunities as they arise. Believe that you are more than qualified to take on these new challenges.
Spiritual/Self
Like the Two of Wands, the Three of Wands also encourages you to look beyond your current circumstances and envision where you want to go next. The big difference between the is that the Three of Wands highlights faith and conviction in pursuing your dreams. This goes beyond setting long term goals. This card invites you to take practical steps in planning the adventures that will lead to your envisioned growth and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. This could mean creating a vision board or detailed to-do list that inspire you to think big and to go for it. This will no doubt challenge your comfort zone, but the learning experience will be worth it in the long run.
Astrology
The suit of Wands in tarot is closely associated with the element of Fire, symbolizing energy, passion, and creativity. This fiery connection resonates profoundly with the zodiac fire signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, reflecting their dynamic, enthusiastic, and adventurous nature. The fire signs embody initiative, courage, ambition, creativity, and personal power. They are natural born leaders. Together, these fire signs and the Wands remind us of the transformative power of having the passion and courage in igniting our desires.
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 reversed, the Three of Wands indicates that you may be facing setbacks or delays in your plans. These obstacles can be frustrating, but they are often a necessary part of the learning process. It’s important to remain patient and not lose hope, as these challenges can build your resilience and lead you onto the path you’re meant to tread on. The reversed card also suggests a need to reassess your strategies and perhaps adjust your plans to align more closely with what’s feasible.
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Our compact 188-page guidebook, aptly named the Little Black Book, offers the meanings behind each Tarot allowing both beginners and experts to interpret effectively.
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The Cards:
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Note: Illustrations are from the classic 1909 - 1910 deck that was hand-illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
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CARD SUMMARY
Look beyond your current circumstances and envision where you want to go next.
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