Three of Wands Tarot Card Meaning
Two of Wands |
Three of Wands |
Four of Wands |
General Meaning
The Three of Wands tarot card symbolizes the initial steps towards success, a departure from the threshold of current possibilities, and the commencement of plan implementation. This is a time when ideas and plans take shape and receive direction. The period of planning and reflection has come to an end, making way for active action and progress towards the goal!
Card Motto
You are already taking the first steps towards new heights — act without hesitation!
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings Three of Wands
Description and Symbols of the Card Three of Wands
The Three of Wands portrays a figure of a man, standing atop a high hill with his back to us, observing the sailing ships. Likely, he's a wealthy sea merchant awaiting the arrival of his ships carrying goods. The hero's pose on the tarot card embodies confidence, concentration, and calmness. He leans assuredly on one of the three staffs positioned near him.
Meaning in Upright Position
The Tarot card, Three of Wands, is filled with inspiration, enthusiasm, optimism, and a thirst for action. It allows you to take a deep breath, look forward with confidence, and shake off doubts and uncertainty.
However, the Three of Wands tarot will require activity, energy, and persistence from you — water does not flow under a lying stone! Be industrious and determined, arm yourself with patience, fully employ your natural charm and diplomatic abilities, and success won't keep you waiting!
Furthermore, this arcane is symbolic of collaboration and teamwork. In executing your plans, strive to find allies, secure the support of partners, and establish a common language with colleagues — your ability to negotiate and diplomatic skills are the primary condition for success at this stage. Shared interests, understanding, and mutual aid will enable prosperity and financial flourishing.
The Three of Wands tarot card is closely associated with career, education, business, and its forecast predominantly concerns the professional sphere. The arcane may also predict positive changes in domestic matters — for instance, successful house construction, the commencement of a major renovation, and so forth.
Key meanings of the upright Three of Wands card
- Positive changes in affairs, implementation of plans, hope for the future, vital energy, activity, initiative.
- Firm support, stability, sound and responsible actions, excellent prospects.
- Teamwork, mutual understanding, strong relationships.
Reversed Position
The reversed Three of Wands assumes a gloomy meaning. Likely, you were not cautious enough, poorly thought out your plans, and now failures are haunting you in what initially seemed like a successful project.
With the appearance of the reversed Three of Wands tarot in the spread, one can expect financial problems, uncoordinated actions (mainly due to complications in relations with colleagues), breaking up of prospective cooperation with partners, unsuccessful trips. All of this creates chaos in affairs, destabilizes the internal state, provokes negative emotions — anger, irritation, powerlessness, despondency.
In the business sphere, the reversed Three of Wands tarot card implies an uncertain situation and complete stagnation. Your task is to manage the panic, control emotions, not to run away from problems, but to solve them as they arise. The influence of the reversed Three of Wands does not last long — a breakthrough and deserved reward for resilience are ahead!
Key meanings of the reversed Three of Wands
- Doubts, weakness, a depressed state, lack of reliable support, confusion, panic.
- Stagnation in affairs, delay, forced stop.
- Losses, instability, worsening relationships with colleagues and partners, dependence, deception, betrayal.
- Physical illness, mental disorders, negative emotions.
Meaning in Love Readings
In love readings, the upright Three of Wands predicts clarity in the intentions of partners, initiative, and readiness to take decisive steps in love. If you're expecting a marriage proposal, it will arrive soon.
The time for doubts and contemplations has ended; now decisions must be made and progress towards a shared goal is essential. Ahead is a cloudless period, where one can build joint plans, sense the support of a loved one, and enjoy harmony in a relationship. For newly acquainted lovers, the Three of Wands promises a long and pleasant romance, which will subsequently lead to marriage.
In a reversed position, the card speaks of betrayal and inability to take decisive actions in personal relationships.
When divining for an admirer, loved one
In divining for an admirer or partner, the upright card suggests that stability in love is important to your chosen one. Fleeting romances are not for them; they are in search of lasting relationships, preferably for a lifetime.
The reversed card indicates that in love, your chosen one prefers not to look too far into the future — the need to plan life unsettles them. They are afraid of failing to handle such responsibility.
Reading for Money, Career
In business spreads, the Three of Wands card signifies diplomatic abilities, the talent to forge beneficial connections, find like-minded individuals, and powerful partners.
It is precisely these skills that will ensure stable profits and enable success in any field, especially in the realm of trade. There may be the appearance of highly influential acquaintances in one's circle, who will provide necessary support in business endeavors. It's probable that, for the sake of securing a lucrative deal, one might have to embark on a business trip or official assignment.
In the reversed position, the card warns against fruitless efforts, overconfidence, and a propensity for reckless risk-taking.
Reading for a Person
When reading for a person, the upright card is interpreted as an active and energetic individual, someone who passionately cares about their work. Their plans visibly begin to materialize successfully, and this is just the beginning.
In the reversed position, it represents a person experiencing uncertainty regarding the tasks they have undertaken. Currently, they may be going through a challenging period, and there could be difficulties in communicating with others.
Reading for Advice
In the upright position, the card advises you to channel your energy into a new project that you sense holds promise. Move forward with confidence, fearlessly take action!
Appearing in a reversed position in the spread, the card advises you not to embark on a new project or to postpone it until better times: currently, it does not promise favorable outcomes.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears in an upright position, the forecast for your situation is favorable. As a result, your wish will come true, aided by your determination and involvement in the new project.
In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is ambiguous. As a result, your plans might be hindered by the failure of the project you had counted on.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
With card 0, the Fool - Unfamiliar route, lack of mentor, step towards independence.
With card 1, the Magician - Good impression, successful career start, competence.
With card 2, the High Priestess - A successful start, secrecy, personal interests.
In combination with card 3, the Empress - A successful undertaking, stepping out of the comfort zone, a promising young woman.
With card 4, the Emperor - Successful entrepreneurship, profitable niche, fresh interests.
With card 5, the Hierophant - Moving forward, open opportunity for development, wise transformations.
With card 6, the Lovers - Negotiation strategy, interview, hidden opportunities.
With card 7, the Chariot - Inclination towards one direction or another, choosing a path, fragile agreement.
With card 8, Strength - Inner elation, finding a loophole, career is on the rise.
With card 9, the Hermit - Valuable information or a loophole, see an easy way, come up with a workable plan.
With card 10, Wheel of Fortune - Excellent prospects, rapid advancement in a career, everything works out in no time.
With card 11, Justice - Considering a legal career, getting into a government structure, receiving a resolution or an order.
With card 12, the Hanged Man - Procrastination, excessive caution, attempting to control everything.
With card 13, Death - Agreeing to something new, accepting the conditions of the game, gradual development.
With card 14, Temperance - Testing skills, practice or exams, step towards independence.
With card 15, the Devil - Troubles approaching, unfair competition, rival.
With card 16, the Tower - Loss of connections, missed opportunity, anticipating failure in advance.
With card 17, the Star - Getting the desired position, high hopes for the future, an open path to growth.
With card 18, the Moon - An unforeseen situation, sudden support or advice, pleasant detail.
With card 19, the Sun - Making the right choice, a good career start, excellent prospects.
With card 20, Judgment - Receiving blessings or approval, useful experience, basic knowledge.
With card 21, the World - Old business partners, useful connections or reliable advisors, expanding the business.
Wands Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Wands — Project detailing, business plan development, clarifying nuances.
With the Two of Wands — Decision-making, considering multiple options, experiencing minor fluctuations, seeking approval.
With the Four of Wands — Significant achievements, getting more than expected, celebrating success.
With the Five of Wands — Disagreements, obstacles at work, unhealthy competition.
With the Six of Wands — Rapid career growth, success, gaining popularity.
With the Seven of Wands — Obstacles, a competitive field, testing resilience and determination.
With the Eight of Wands — Smooth progress, gradual growth, expected outcomes.
With the Nine of Wands — Efforts might seem in vain, time to contemplate, a decline in enthusiasm or encountering an insurmountable obstacle.
With the Ten of Wands — Carrying the weight of everything on one's shoulders, taking on numerous responsibilities, necessitating the division of responsibilities.
With the Page of Wands — Increased motivation, a small bonus or reward, recognition from superiors or family.
With the Knight of Wands — The beginning of a career, promising prospects, ambition.
With the Queen of Wands — Accumulating experience, professional growth, aspiring to a desired position.
With the King of Wands — Achieving promotion, increased authority, developing new directions or projects.
Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Swords — A wonderful beginning in your career or relationships, success, acquiring valuable resources, gaining useful knowledge.
With the Two of Swords — Contradictory or insufficient information, acting blindly, needing guidance from superiors.
With the Three of Swords — Cruelly disillusioned, falling victim to deception or betrayal by a loved one.
With the Four of Swords — A pause or emotional decline, loss of ambition.
With the Five of Swords — Defeat or setback, returning to the starting point, loss of trust or influence.
With the Six of Swords — Learning from past mistakes, testing new ideas, seeking like-minded individuals.
With the Seven of Swords — Employing a cunning approach, hiding the whole truth, engaging in minor deception, dealing with a guilty conscience.
With the Eight of Swords — Becoming entangled in information, relying on luck or chance, finding oneself in a dangerous situation.
With the Nine of Swords — An unsuccessful approach, a project at risk, feeling depressed or experiencing loneliness.
With the Ten of Swords — A complete failure, dismissal from a job or the end of a romantic relationship, feeling overwhelmed.
With the Page of Swords — A quick start, encountering envy or jealousy, facing dishonest games and opposition.
With the Knight of Swords — Charging ahead, promoting ideas, experiencing instability or poor planning.
With the Queen of Swords — Depending on someone else's support, seeking protection under someone else's authority, displaying self-assurance.
With the King of Swords — Representing the law, having dangerous intentions, being involved in a criminal environment or dealing with criminals.
Three of Wands and Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Cups — Starting a new romantic relationship, a romantic partnership, or agreement, a pleasant beginning of a romance.
With the Two of Cups — Engagement, a civil union, or cohabitation of students.
With the Three of Cups — Marriage, a grand ceremony or celebration, a large gathering of people.
With the Four of Cups — Reassessing priorities, gaining a different perspective on the situation, having disagreements with a loved one.
With the Five of Cups — Becoming disappointed in a project or relationship, receiving unpleasant news, making disheartening conclusions.
With the Six of Cups — Childishness, resuming action after a long pause, the desire to create something meaningful.
With the Seven of Cups — Feeling stuck, being immature or avoiding problems, an unfulfilled task.
With the Eight of Cups — Experiencing futile efforts, finding the path more winding than expected, succumbing to someone's persuasion and being deceived.
With the Nine of Cups — Quickly realizing a dream, gaining popularity, being content with life.
With the Ten of Cups — A formal marital union, the beginning of a shared life, a good understanding with a reliable partner.
With the Page of Cups — Romance or deep attachment, a naive girl, inexperience, charm.
With the Knight of Cups — Achieving a romantic partner, insisting on a relationship, showing resourcefulness and taking the lead.
With the Queen of Cups — An easy-going woman, a desire for a second marriage, sociability.
With the King of Cups — A charming man, receiving attention from the opposite sex, engaging in flirtation in a casual atmosphere.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Pentacles - A constant source of income, discovering a golden vein, excellent financial opportunities.
With the Two of Pentacles - Not dwelling on the future, a low income level, not fully planning everything and diving into execution.
With the Three of Pentacles - A business approach, successful negotiations, making a deal.
With the Four of Pentacles - Prudence, saving for a rainy day, the ability to set aside funds for significant purchases, frugality.
With the Five of Pentacles - Betrayal, challenging circumstances, a path to bankruptcy or the arrival of "poor relatives."
With the Six of Pentacles - Investments without guarantees, working on reputation, taking out a loan.
With the Seven of Pentacles - Investing in securities, acquiring real estate, gaining education.
With the Eight of Pentacles - Accumulating resources, initial capital, finding a good job.
With the Nine of Pentacles - Everything is going as planned, financial growth, a successful investment, significant profit.
With the Ten of Pentacles - Reaching a new level, attracting affluent clients, long-term contracts, or advantageous relationships.
With the Page of Pentacles - Rational decision-making, practicality, the ability to see benefits everywhere.
With the Knight of Pentacles - Practical application of knowledge, perseverance, and the ability to see a project through to the end, solid success.
With the Queen of Pentacles - A reliable partner, a woman devoid of emotions, opening branches and expanding the company.
The King of Pentacles - Having a financial safety net, no risk, the path of creation and prosperity.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You Three of Wands? This Signifies:
Today marks the beginning of a new, highly productive, and auspicious phase in your life. Your plans have already started to materialize, and they promise to bring you wonderful results in the future. However, nothing will come effortlessly, as if by magic. Only your energy, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm will eventually grant you everything you aspire to. Additionally, the card of the day suggests that cooperation with other people—partners, clients, colleagues—will play a significant role in achieving your goals. Your ability to find common ground and shared interests will undoubtedly lead you to success.