The Three of Cups often appears in a reading when a difficult period has ended, or when a successful outcome has manifested: we feel a sense of gratitude and joy that we wish to share with those closest to us, who have helped us or been there by our side. The intertwining nature of the women’s arms as they raise their Cups, suggests the importance in our lives of this support network.
The Three is a card of friendships and close family relationships. The women depicted respect each other and know that the different elements they bring to the dynamic are what makes the union so strong. In a reading, this card suggests that now is the perfect time to draw near to those close to us and delight in being together. It speaks of creative collaborations, too, whether on a professional or personal level, and the enrichment that this can bring to our lives.
A time of happy social events is also suggested by this card, and its message in this regard is to grab the opportunities for fun and sisterhood celebrations wholeheartedly!
The reversed Three of Cups can jump from the deck when we feel a sense of having been let down by our friends - it is up to us, at this point, to decide whether this is a real reflection of events or if, for example, we have not opened up to those closest to us and allowed them to support us. The reversed card can also indicate that, after a busy social period, we feel the need to retreat for a while and simply be with ourselves. Sometimes, the reversed Three can appear if we feel somewhat excluded from a group - either on a personal or professional level. Where this is the case, it may be time to step away and assess the importance of this group and the benefits it delivers to our sense of wellbeing.
Both upright and reversed, the Three of Cups points to the importance of shared experience in good times as well as through tough periods in our lives and reminds us to honor the connections that are most important to us.