Three of Swords

Symbolism:
Cloudy skies: Dark times ahead.
Heart: Your feelings and emotions.
3 broadswords: Stabbed, left right and centre—a fatal blow.
Rain: Your response—tears.

Element: Air        Direction: South. Season: Winter

Zodiac: First quarter of Gemini and ruled by the Empress.

Comparative to the Lovers.

Card Description.
A single heart, pierced by three broadswords, dark skies and rain falling.

Meaning: “Sorrow and devastation”
This card brings to mind a situation which very few people favors. It predicts a partnership or union ending in separation and divorce. It is a time in which devastating and fatal wounds are being suffered, with the consequence of sorrow in store for you. With this card we see finality in the end of a relationship. You or the other person’s selfish interests was the base of this alliance, leading to quarrels, opposing interests and conflict. But somewhere you may find a glimmer of hope, the possibility to move forward.

Upright:
Tears and sorrow, divorce and severance. Dark times ahead. A love triangle. Dispersion of property.

You are or will enter dark times in your personal or business relationship. Times in which you are severed and torn away from that which was supposed to be a stable union. Now it turns out to be a union with selfish interests as the main motive. Don’t consider this situation to improve, in trying you will only make it worse. Your physiological well-being has been altered to a state of devastation and loss. It would be better to move on, and find the glimmer of hope. This is a situation you do not want to continue, protect your interests because the other party will most definitely do it, save what you can. Step away and retain your dignity. This ending is not amicable.

Reversed:
Depression, confusion. Distractions. Dark times.

This is not the time to think with your heart. You need to keep your sanity and approach your situation with a clinical mind. The possibility for you to suffer depression or mental illness is so much greater. At this time expect to make mistakes which will cost you dearly. It would be better for you to sever all bonds regarding a relationship, where you are not happy, it will take time to heal the wounds.


Three of Cups

Symbolism:
Three Cups: Fruit of two coming together.
Overflowing Cups: Fulfillment.
Flowers: Abundance, fertility.

Element: Water      Direction: North. Season: Winter

Zodiac: Second quarter of Taurus and ruled by the Empress.

Comparative to the Lovers.

Card Description.
Three young women dancing in a fertile setting, with floral head dressings. In their hands are overflowing cups raised in celebration. At their feet are the abundant fruit from the ground, crowned by blue skies.

Meaning: “Success and victory in personal or business relationships.”

Three young women celebrating with three overflowing cups. Two cups created a third overflowing with love, joy and happiness. In personal relationships the card signifies joyous events such as weddings, anniversaries and baby showers. It shows the coming together of families and reuniting in happiness and feasting. In personal relationships it doesn’t predict the outcome of the relationship, but says you still have a long way to go. In business relationships it describes victory, attainment and success. A time of achievement. This card is also a card of healing, here the card confirms that there is a future, and underlines our knowledge of hope for better things to be.

Upright :
Success, perfection, plenty, merriment, happy issue, fulfillment. Victory; achievement of great things.

A strong bond has been or will be created between you and your partner, with this card it’s obvious you are in love. Expect joy happiness and attainment in the future. The business partnerships you entered or may enter may be one where success and victory can be achieved. You and your partner are capable to work together to create a successful future, filled with joy and fulfillment.

Reversed:                                                                    Fulfillment of physical needs only. Small business advances.

Relationships you have started or may enter into, are based to fulfill your physical needs only, although it may, don’t expect it to improve at this stage. In business, expect insignificant achievements at this stage, especially in partnerships.

Three of Pentacles

Symbolism:
Church: Spiritual development.
Architect: Technical knowledge.
Commissioner: Spiritual guidance.
Masonry artwork: Determination and skill.
Fine detail: Patience.

Element: Fire          Direction: West. Season: Summer

Zodiac: Third quarter of Taurus and ruled by The Empress.

Comparative to The Magician

Card Description.
Three people discussing or giving attention to a piece of art or a project. One person being the artist or mason, then the designing architect and lastly the commissioning pope. Although the project is not completed, great care is now displayed on the finer detail and finishing touches. We also see that this work is being done in a church, giving a much needed spiritual dimension to the finishing of this project.

Meaning: “Abilities bring success.”

This card is a card of success brought on by employing your practical skills, knowledge and experience. This card indicates that you will reach your goal but you need to be patient. You have reached completion of the first stages of your endeavor and having the approval and praise from others boosts your moral. You are also reminded that hard work and determination is needed, leading to your ultimate success.

Upright:
Practical skill or the acquiring thereof brings success. Artistic abilities, creativity, craftsmanship, Enterprise, commerce. Success in trade and business. Personal nobility; rise in prestige; renown and glory.

You have been or will be rumbling on with a project which needs time and dedication. This card shows that you need to stretch yourself a bit, explore those hidden talents and apply all your knowledge and experience to achieve your success. You have reached the first point in your success. It is now that you need to look at the lose ends; bring them together to achieve your ultimate goal. With determination you are moving forward to completion. Putting to practice your creative mind in business is of utmost importance. This first stage of completion and the praise going with it, has boosted you to achieve even greater things - keep up the good work.

Reversed:
Delays in recognition and rewards, lack of skill, impatience, pettiness. Sloppiness and gain before craft.

You have tackled a project beyond your capabilities; this is not only in your business but also in your personal relationships. You touch and let go to the point where people no longer trust your word as it lacks that pure commitment and dedication. In this you are so preoccupied with pettiness that it actually clouds your ultimate goal. You need to acquire the needed skill and practical ability to complete what you have started. Focus your mind on that which you have, go back to the drawing board, design your future and don’t let your impatience get in your way.

Three of Wands

Symbolism.
Sea: Represents obstacles overcame.
Ships at sea: Return on investment.
Planted Wands: Surrounded by opportunities.
Leaning figure: Initial success in hand.

Element: Earth.              Direction: East.    Season: Summer.

Zodiac: Fourth quarter of Taurus and ruled by the Empress.

Comparative to The Magician.

Card Description.
A mature man looking out over the sea, searching the horizon, waiting for success. Three wands are planted around him and he is slightly leaning on one. Ships are returning on a calm and serene sea.

Meaning: “Opportunities bring success.”


This card is a card of success brought on by acting upon the opportunities presented to you, the world is opening up to even more exciting opportunities for you to explore. It shows that the strength and determination to succeed, is in your grasp. You made your dream a reality, although it is now starting to bring your success, much work is still needed to achieve your goal. This card also hints at movement (in your career, business), or to a new location. It also indicates that feeling of pride or even power.

Upright:
New opportunities, strength and determination, enterprise and commerce. Maturity and strength. Good business venture.

You had the opportunity to establish a firm basis for your endeavors and have rightly done so, with a dignified approach, wisdom and clarity of mind, you will gain success. This card indicates cooperation and maturity as the key to your success; in general your financial endeavors are protected. You may also receive advice from a business associate or advisor. Whatever obstacles was introduced by previous cards may be overcome by you. You should not act impulsively; you know what to do. Use your experience and common knowledge.

Reversed:
Opposition and obstacles overcome. The end of trials and tribulations. The end or suspension of arguments and adversity. Disappointment.

In effect if your earlier troubles and obstacles were caused by yourself or your own mistakes or even your own feelings of inadequassy, acting in a mature and responsible manner will resolve them.if your problems were introduced by the influence or opposition of others, you can still resolve them by taking things firmly in hand at this time. You may even find people who were not involved in creating problems for you, willing to help with advise and guidance. They may even step in to help you.

PW, I think that it would be much better to post these under each cards heading in the Rider Waite Forum, that way everyone's interpretations are kept together. I can split and paste these there for you if you wish or you can.  You can use the Index here to find the cards you want to post under  Rider-Waite Card Index

This part of the forum is for general tarot talk.

Hi Gem, will do so, no problem.

You mentioned that some of my interpritations are "harsh or perhaps cruel", The s**t hit the fan in my bank account, I never remembered that half of my OD expired the 15th. So I did a reading on my possible modus operandi.

Got the Magician reversed in House 6 CC. RW explain things as mental illness, delirium etc. For me it is a bit of a concern seeing that I suffer epileptic fits, take 1000mg medication daily for it, but yet my brainfunction has deteriorated and i need to go for another brainscan ASAP.

So yes, my interpritations may be a bit hard, but still on the dot?

Blessed be

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{huggss}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}   I am sorry to hear you aren't well, I really hope everything goes well and gets sorted quickly and will send lots of love and reiki to the situation.  


the cards - But, I never said your readings were innaccurate, but harsh they are, It's one thing reading that for yourself, quite another in a reading for someone else who may be weaker, or alone and frightened an unable to cope with any news like that. I hope you see the difference. Only doctors can diagnose and prescribe. Tarot readings do no good if they scare the seeker witless and take away their hope and inspiration. For me I try to inspire and empower the seeker, giving them back the responsibility for their own life and the decisions that will lead to their future.

I think it important to remember when talking about the threes what the number in tarot may well signify, for me it is the first stage of completion, growth and expansion it is where the 1 and 2 have finally come together to create a third, in the three we can see where from the initial idea -  Ace,-  has appeared, two where the idea is carried out and how three bears the fruit of that idea.  As an example let me take Swords - associated with thoughts, communication, clarity.

The Ace shows where we need to get thoughts into some order to enable use to proceed, it is from clarity that new beginnings present themself, however in the two there is a duality going on between our thoughts, negative and positive, we close ourself off and ignore the facts by turning our back on them, and so we arrive at the three which shows us how heartbreaking negative thoughts and harsh words can cause us pain, but there is also the realization that through the pain one can grow and expand in order to reach the 4 in which we reflect and consider and this acts like a stepping stone into the next phase.

Just some of my thoughts on how threes arrive where they do in that wonderful pack of cards called tarot.



For me Gem, this is the responsible, professional and only way you should read for the seeker.