Suit: Suit of Wands
Card Type: Minor Arcana
Tarot Element: Fire
Star Sign: Aries
Planet: Sun
Angel: Archangel Raphael
Key Meaning: Expand Your Horizons
The Three of Wands means you are experiencing some success and can now expand your horizons further.
Number 3 Meaning In Tarot
All threes, including the Three of Cups, Three of Pentacles and Three of Swords represent external movement. Finally, doors open more easily and people start responding; you feel like you are getting somewhere. Perseverance is paying off. As wands correlate to action and productivity, the 3 of Wands highlights results coming in work, business, personal projects or study.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
Three of Wands Keywords
🥰 Upright: Branching out, growth, assistance, project taking off
😒 Reversed: Setbacks, fear of risk, trouble with partner
3 of Wands Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. A merchant stands on top of a mountain, overlooking a harbor with ships in the distance. He is holding a wand and two more wands are pinned to the ground behind him. This Tarot card shows a progress on the Two of Wands where the man was waiting for news, for his ships to come in. In this card the ships are arriving inbound, indicating the boats of your efforts are coming to fruition. The boats are full of new resources with which to set your next goals – be that business or education.
You may also consider that the ships are outbound, taking your ideas out into the world.
LOVE: What does The Three of Wands Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the 3 of Wands turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on whether or not you are in a relationship.
❤️ Love is most likely found in a partner from overseas. You could meet through work, especially if you work for an international company or are relocating overseas. You are portrayed by the Tarot as standing on a symbolic borderline, just about to make the transition from one country, as it were, to another.
❤️ This card is less associated with holiday romance, than the Two of Wands. When this card turns up, you are most likely already in a long-distance relationship and considering the next stage.
❤️ You are planning to travel or start a new adventure with your partner. This is a great idea.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study, then the guidance is:
⭕ Work in an area that involves foreign travel or overseas business dealings.
⭕ If you put yourself ‘out there’, for example, in the form of a proposal, website or manuscript – you receive great feedback.
⭕ The three of Wands can also come up when you are being offered help. It indicates good partnership with other people. Everyone wants to help and support you. Success can’t be far away with this sort of abundance.
⭕ You are ready to branch out in your business, perhaps with more products, premises or staff. Whatever the situation, this card a confirmation.
⭕ If you are considering studying a foreign language, this is a sign that you are on the right path.
⭕ If you asked about career paths, jobs associated with this card include: Commerce (buying and selling), blogging, chef, acting, writing (or any creative pursuit), web design, travel industry, consultant and marine life (science, sailing and conservation).
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Three of Wands in a Money Reading?
💲 If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, this card means your ships are coming in. For example:
– Investments receive dividends
– Retirement goals are now in sight
– Business sales increase
– Marketing efforts work, for example, increased followers on social media.
💲 If you asked about a significant purchase like a car or house, this card indicates finance or help arriving which allows you to buy.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“Three of Wands combined with The Lovers” – Falling in love with someone from overseas.
“Three of Wands combined with The Tower” – Sudden setbacks to plans turn out well in the end.
“Three of Wands combined with Death” – Plans need to change; you were on the wrong right path.
HEALTH: What does This Card Mean when You Ask About Health?
If you have a health condition, this card predicts you will receive help from a medical expert who understands your case. Occasionally this card means receiving a health treatment or cosmetic procedure overseas.
Health conditions associated this card: Viruses (spreading from ship to ship depicted in this card).
YES/NO: Does The 3 of Wands Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and the 3 of Wands turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does The 3 of Wands Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 The 3 of Wands is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 Using my timing method, the 3 of Wands is about 3 weeks. If the card is reversed, timing will be slightly longer – so up to 5 weeks.
Karina’s Timing Method:
Swords are days. Wands are weeks. Cups are months and Pentacles are years. Please note this is my personal timing method. Feel free to adopt it.
What is the Meaning of The Three of Wands Reversed?
When the 3 of Wands is reversed then the wands fall down and the ships are less noticeable. This means:
✔️ One step forward, two steps back. However, delays and obstacles are not necessarily a sign to give up.
✔️ Is fear of risk holding you back? If you have done your homework and prospects are good, then don’t be afraid.
✔️ Your partnership is struggling. Draw another card for guidance.
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Three of Wands Symbolism
Read Next! – Three of Wands Symbols
Previous Card: Two of Wands | Next Tarot Card: Four of Wands
Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
