Three of Cups

Cups-03

Keywords

Celebration, expression, community, friendliness

Range of Meaning

Light: Celebrating your feelings or connections with others. Expressing joy through song, dance, or physical affection. Working together with others who share your feelings. Performing acts of service as a way of saying, “I love you.” Embracing unconventional romantic arrangements.

Shadow: Mistaking giddiness for true affection. Being dominated by manic emotions. Expecting everyone to always feel the same way you do. Demanding unreasonable support from friends or family. Partying to a dangerous or unhealthy extent.

Correspondences

Numerology: 3 (The Result: expression, productivity, output)

Astrology: Mercury in Cancer

Affirmation: “I allow my actions to reflect my true emotions.”

Story: The Main Character’s actions show how he or she really feels.

Advice

Relationships. Be open to unconventional relationships that defy your dearly-held expectations. Saying what you feel may not be enough; sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Think beyond sex. What service can you render as a way of showing your love?

Work. For insight into what you really love to do, monitor how you spend your time. We make time for what delights us. If your schedule is dominated by things you don’t love doing, it’s time to realign your priorities. Ask others how they manage their time.

Spirituality. Especially when walking a solitary path, it’s easy to neglect the rituals that are an integral part of living with Spirit. Become a part of a like-minded group. Celebrate the season. Seek outward, shared expressions of your inner faith.

Personal Growth. To have more friends, be one. Look for opportunities to serve others or aid them in their pursuits. Shared success is sweeter, and you’ll find your own success is multiplied when you’re helping others achieve their goals, too.

Fortune Telling. Unconventional romance is coming your way: a gay or lesbian relationship, or a love affair with someone you’ve always dismissed.

When? Between July 2nd and 11th.

Symbols and Insights

The Dancing Women. In RWS-inspired decks, this card frequently depicts three dancing women. How in touch are you with your more feminine emotions and instincts? To what extent do you regard “expressing emotion” as a feminine trait?

Upraised Cups. Upraised cups suggest a toast, which, by extension, is associated with wine. What deserves to be celebrated, and what form of recognition would be appropriate?

Celebration vs. Inebriation. At what point do you cross the line from having fun … to having too much fun? How can you know when enough’s enough?

The Marseilles Image. The blossom seen on the Two of Cups has matured into a third cup: the “offspring” off the original pair. What fruit is being produced by your own spiritual work or emotional involvement?

Questions to Ask

  • What’s worth celebrating in my life?
  • How can I demonstrate my feelings in appropriate ways?
  • What can I do to show my partner how I really feel?