Three of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

The Three of Cups is a minor arcana tarot card that is associated with many great traits such as togetherness, friendship, loyalty, and creativity. It’s a very social card that carries a lot of meaning for those who have very close ties to their friends and family.

However, the reverse meaning of the Three of Cups is associated with taking these things in moderation and may even be a signal that you need some time to yourself. Let’s take a closer look at just what the Three of Cups means and how it can affect both you and those around you.

Overview

The Three of Cups tarot card description is typically depicted as three young women raising their cups in a toast with one another, sometimes while dancing. This portrayal is one of positivity, comradery, and friendship. In some cases, the card may also show the ground to be covered with signs of a bountiful harvest, such as fruits and vegetables, which represent abundance and prosperity.

Though the Three of Cups is a minor arcana, it can still have great meaning when drawn in a tarot reading. While the upright position is associated with a variety of positive qualities, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the reverse position is something to be worried about. As with most other tarot cards, the reverse meaning of the Three of Cups serves mainly as a helpful word of caution rather than a sign of impending doom.

Situational Meanings

Like other tarot cards, the Three of Cups can have specific meanings for specific situations. Since these situations can be different for different people, this is more of a general overview. How the Three of Cups relates to your life can depend on a variety of factors. Even so, this guide will give you a good idea of what it can mean in regards to love, finances, and your job/career.

Three of Cups Upright

Three of Cups tarot card meanings (Upright): As previously mentioned, the upright position of this card represents positive energy, spending quality time, togetherness and friendship. This applies even more strongly to bonds between women and can be seen as a representation of sisterhood. Here’s a quick list of the themes associated with the upright Three of Cups:

• Friendship
• Sisterhood
• Family
• Loyalty
• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Celebration

Love & Relationships – Upright

When the Three of Cups appears, it represents a variety of good things in regards to love and relationships. It can mean that someone from your past will reappear, possibly in a romantic nature, or it can mean that you and your partner will be experiencing a celebration soon. If you’re single, it might mean that you may have many suitors trying to win your affection.

Job & Career – Upright

When it comes to the career meaning of your tarot reading the Three of Cups tarot card can represent many positive situations. There may be cause for celebration at your job soon and you’ll certainly benefit from collaboration with your coworkers/teammates. This tarot card can also represent a promotion, raise, or transfer to a department that better suits your skills. Regardless, it means good things will come your way at work.

Money & Finances – Upright

It should come as no surprise that the Three of Cups represents abundance when it comes to money and finances. It can also mean that you’re about to hit a financial milestone or enjoy a successful business venture. Another meaning of this card is that you’ll be celebrating a lot in the near future so you should be careful not to overspend.

Reversed Position

Three of Cups tarot card meanings (Reversed): The Three of Cups reversed isn’t necessarily a dire warning as it is with some other cards. Instead, it is a gentle reminder that you may need some time to yourself (similar to the hermit tarot card) and that some of the bonds in your social circle may not be as strong as they once were. Here is a list of traits associated with the reversed position of this card:

• Alone time
• Independence
• Exclusion
• Canceled celebration
• Mistrust
• Overindulgence
• Growing apart

Love & Relationships – Reverse

The Three of Cups reversed represents many warnings that you should be on the lookout for. It can mean that someone is trying to seduce your lover behind your back, that your relationship will soon end, or that you may soon be reunited with someone better off not being a part of your life. In any case, this card suggets that you should pay closer attention to your relationships and be on the lookout for red flags that could indicate trouble if ignored.

Job & Career – Reverse

Once again, the Three of Cups reversed represents a warning when in the reverse position. In this case, it warns against problems such as your coworkers deceiving you and possibly gossiping about you behind your back. It can also mean that you won’t get the raise or promotion that you deserve. In any case, you should be wary of those around you but don’t jump to any conclusions. Conducting yourself as a professional until your fortunes turn around would be your best bet.

Money & Finances – Reverse

The Three of Cups reversed is a much more severe warning about overspending and your finances in general. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be hurting for money or suffering financially, it does mean that you need to keep a very close eye on your budget and keep some cash in reserve in case of emergencies. Since this card has a strong connection to celebrations, the reverse means that you should take into careful consideration how much you’re spending on them.

Your Affinity

If you have a strong affinity with the Three of Cups, then you’re a person who values close social bonds among friends, family, and even coworkers. This is especially true for bonds among females. It also means that you enjoy celebrations and big get-togethers. Regardless of the situation, you’re at your best when sharing your goals, dreams, and ideas with others who share those bonds with you.

The flipside of this is that you may tend to overindulge when it comes to celebrating and you may engage in excessive partying. It could also mean that you are a bit more trusting than you should be and that some people in your inner circle may not be as good for you as you think they are. You should also be careful of your finances since your tendency to celebrate often can drain them faster than you may realize.

Overall the Three of Cups is a wonderful card that calls on you to embrace your social bonds while at the same time keeping a close eye on those bonds as well as your finances. This will allow you to enjoy the blessings that the upright position represents while at the same time mitigating any difficulties that the reverse form may warn against.

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