Three of Wands

Three of Wands – a card of growth, stability, and success (and the sphere to which this relates will be indicated by other cards). Whatever the question concerns – personal relationships, career, spiritual growth – this card says that one must continue moving forward, go beyond current boundaries, it's too early to stop.

This card governs inspiration and realization of ideas; they take form and receive direction. It promises a favorable outcome of the matter about which the question was asked. Stable position, solid support, and further prosperity, excellent prospects – these are the two meanings of this card. Therefore, the Three of Wands is considered an adornment of a spread; it reflects a positive course of events and gives a favorable forecast.

The card says that the person has already achieved certain heights and will be able to achieve even more in the future. It makes sense to hope for the best and breathe freely. This card means primary order; its meanings are a firm foundation, success, a strong position. It says that in the matter, some point or stage has been reached where one can fear nothing and look forward with confidence. As Banzhaf writes, 'This card is one of the most beloved, because it not only speaks of a stable state of affairs at the moment but also promises further prosperity.'

Some authors believe that the Three of Wands describes minor problems in affairs that can be solved. This is a small trial that the querent is quite capable of overcoming through sensible and responsible actions, as well as with the help of friends. In any case, this card says: 'All will be well!' If there was a black streak in life before, the Three of Wands announces the end of troubles.

Sometimes the meaning of preparation before taking a decisive step into the future is emphasized.

Optimistic!

The card indicates that the period of doubts and reflections has come to an end, and the person is ready not only to make a specific decision but also to actively pursue its realization. This card governs a brave and positive perception of reality, planning activities with optimism and self-confidence. A harmonious spring mood, no destruction. Strength and hope. Creative inspiration, realization of plans. A philosophical and positive attitude, readiness to build a new life (and the heart is already there).

New occupations and interests, a spirit of wanderings, initiative. Ahead stretches a huge world, and inner wisdom is now strong enough to discard any anxieties and doubts that may arise. Gloomy reflections and scrupulous calculations lose meaning when a person is full of vitality and light, sincerity and selflessness. Awareness of one's abilities and development of self-confidence.

Old interpretations emphasize such meanings as power, determination, firmness, audacity, self-confidence. Modern authors call this 'personal growth.' The card also carries growth of insight, intuition, the ability of foresight. Among old meanings – integrity, honesty, uncompromising virtue.

This card symbolizes primary order, is connected with understanding, awareness. Creative energy is directed toward new goals in a powerful triune stream. At the level of this card, the vector of social activity and the ability to widely disseminate one's ideas are formed.

In essence, everything that surrounds us is the result of such dissemination; we didn't create it ourselves, from the toothbrush to the computer monitor. Appearing in a spread, the Three of Wands says that life provides us with the opportunity to embody our ideas (provided we leave behind everything that depletes our precious energy reserves).

The card depicts a person who has made the journey and finally reached the summit. And in addition, from this summit, a wide view of the surrounding world has opened up to them, literally – prospects. Prospects for the future! On a deeper level, this card means the ability of foresight as a result of spiritual development. The search for luck on a spiritual level. One interesting remark (by Philadoro) regarding the Arcana's symbolism is that, being dressed in aristocratic, almost royal, garments, the person on the Arcana is barefoot. Perhaps they do not know their origin, came from obscurity – this motif repeats in the fates of many legendary heroes and is largely the key to their success: had they grown up in mansions, nothing would have come of them.

Regarding the astrological meaning of the card, the following information was found: the second decan of Aries is ruled by the Sun and symbolizes confidence, positivity, and joy of life. The impulse of initial movement gains strength and is affirmed in its rightness. An ardent young ambitious impulse, directed toward the ideal (hence the name - 'virtue'), is realized in life creation.

The choice is conscious: the source of enthusiasm is a conscious idea (isn't it interesting that the word 'enthusiasm' secretly contains 'ace'?). The person finds all the necessary energetic resources within themselves: their support is the light of reason. Conformity to inner law gives them the opportunity to realize their free will. However, to embody one's ideals, one must find support among the surroundings: one does not sail a ship alone. For this, it is important to overcome excessive striving for risk and material egoism. Reasonable understanding of the world's possibilities, friendship, and love will be the guarantee of success.

Light and Shadow (Advice and Warning)

Advice: conquer new frontiers! Act sensibly and hope for the best. Do not lose heart under any circumstances. Boldly accept the offered help. Be absolutely confident in the success of your undertakings. One must with all one's strength embody what is planned! Actions at the moment do not contradict fate's designs in any way; there is hitting the right channel. Now almost any difficulties can be overcome, provided reasonable and responsible steps are taken (the person themselves usually knows perfectly well what needs to be done). Warning: youthful daring is a holy thing, but now is not the time! Rashness and haste, a tendency to 'run ahead of the locomotive,' meaninglessly anticipating events ('in every person's life, there comes a moment when they mercilessly break with their past, and with the trembling hand of the future, they tear away the mysterious veil of the future!') Warning against 'throwing hats' – that is, excessive self-confidence and overly ambitious plans that can lead to serious difficulties (as happens, for example, with ill-considered business expansion, unjustified expansion). Excessive optimism and frivolity. Neglect of useful advice and guidance. Sometimes (in old guides) an indication of a hidden conspiracy, ambush.

'Promising' is the keyword of the Three of Wands. This card governs forging joint ventures, founding a company, receiving support, strengthening business connections. Affairs have a solid foundation and bring tangible gain. Insight in business and, as a result – success. Moreover, this is the success of jointly undertaken efforts (cooperation as the key to successful actions).

Expanding the circle of business partners. Stable position and further prosperity. The card says that the person has achieved a firm position and is awaiting further advancement, both in the near future and in the distant future. The Three of Wands governs successful cooperation with experts and consultants, productive negotiations, receiving help from a business partner, having like-minded people.

This card embodies the persistent desire to move forward, and therefore is closely connected with advertising, promotional activity, product promotion on the market. Talents receive recognition, deserved fame is attained. The card favors trade, commerce, international shipping.

This is one of the significators of a business trip.

Progress in learning. Professional development is in full swing. Valuable practical knowledge is acquired.

Stable position and further prosperity. Successful resolution of issues. Excellent opportunities for further improvement of the situation. Financial successes due to reasonable behavior. The Three of Wands is favorable for matters related to material well-being. It means commercial success, and generally shows a person occupying a firm position and having a reliable rear.

This card governs house construction, apartment purchase.

The meaning of the Three of Wands can manifest in two ways depending on the context of the situation. If the person has relationships in their life that do not satisfy them, then this card governs a clear intention to cast off the shackles, free themselves for a better life, and build their future anew. However, if the relationships are important and valuable, then the Three of Wands describes progress, their prosperous development, care for deepening and strengthening trust and mutual understanding. The partner described by the Three of Wands expects much from these relations, places great hopes on them, associates their aspirations with the partner, and believes this is mutual. At the very least, they assume the relationship has a future.

Here there is faith and hope and no room for doubts (whether this is justified is another question). Often this card governs a declaration of love or, at least, an open and honest manifestation of one's intentions.

Traditional interpretations include engagement and even marriage (again due to the success of Threes and the officiality of Wands); modern authors point out that it can also be some less major event, nevertheless attesting to the attachment and value of these relationships (for example, a significant gift).

In any case, whether the person is mired in unhappy relationships, in love, or looking for a partner, they have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and tirelessly make plans to accomplish it. The Three of Wands – that card which is traditionally considered a guarantee of happiness. It says that sorrows and troubles will be left behind, all possibilities for building a prosperous life are opening up, and in relationships, all will be well. A spring mood and sexual harmony.

The card has another interesting meaning, which it shares with the Two of Wands, and which also sometimes works instead of the more familiar one. It speaks of nostalgia, longing, a burning desire to go where the heart is... it's clearly not here, possibly with someone who is not nearby. Intuition is needed to guess whether this meaning might work in the querent's situation. Of course, the Six of Cups nearby greatly simplifies matters.

Physical and moral strength.

If the upright card speaks of the ability to foresee further, the reversed warns of imprudence, recommends thinking everything over again and, most likely, postponing the plan until better times. Absence of expected successes and/or broad prospects. Loss of chances for success.

Moreover, the person does not dare to undertake something new because they do not feel solid ground under their feet and do not see prospects. Some authors believe this can make them more open to cooperation. But the point is that in a reversed position, the card means cooperation in which the person is not free. Possibly help offered with some hidden motive, an ulterior motive. In general, the most traditional meaning of the reversed Three of Wands is precisely that – a warning against offered help.

Sometimes underestimation of the opponent's strength and hence neglect of offered help is emphasized, or an overly cautious attitude toward the one offering this help (overinsurance). Traditional meanings of the reversed Three of Wands are gloomy: dependence, duplicity and betrayal, trickery, treachery.

Collapse of plans, 'dead season.' Uncertainty, stagnation. Moreover, such an outcome is caused by inconsistency of joint actions.

An unsuccessful trip.

Some authors (e.g., Hollander) believe that problems are solved, difficulties are behind, a calm life is ensured for some time. But such an interpretation is rather an exception to the rule.

With The Fool – strengthening of meaning, opening of new horizons, a new turn of the path

With The Emperor – bright leadership

With Justice – flight from life (from an old divination book)

With The Moon – fear of changes in one's own life

With The World - appearance of a new person, communication with whom will bring many pleasant emotions and experiences, as well as interesting and valuable information.

With Five of Cups – passivity, inertia

With Eight of Cups – beginning of a journey, departure

With Two of Swords – refusal to see the obvious

With Three of Pentacles – sensible planning, preparation for the future

With Eight of Pentacles - righteous labors to achieve stated goals

God's promise to Abraham of the 'Promised Land'