The 3 of Wands in Tarot
The Three of Wands represents the effective execution of everything you’ve previously imagined in the Two and Ace cards.
Visual description of the card:
The Three of Wands shows a person standing on a cliff, facing away, looking out over the sea toward distant mountains.
The card tells us that, from this elevated position, the person can see everything that lies ahead and is fully aware of the upcoming challenges and opportunities.
The three wands surrounding them are firmly planted in the ground, reflecting their commitment to their future plans.
The Three of Wands in the upright position:
General meaning
The Three of Wands suggests that all those possibilities hinted at in the Two of Wands, and originally dreamed up in the Ace, are now in full development.
You’re now moving forward with confidence and determination, and you can also see that there’s more ahead than you initially thought. There are even more opportunities waiting for you to seize.
This is the perfect card to remind you that you can raise your expectations, expand your horizons and growth, usually through some type of further learning, advancing in your career, work, or profession.
This can happen through travel, study, and the development of your skills and knowledge. You might already have many, but a part of you knows there’s always room for more, and that no knowledge goes to waste. Everything you’ve planned is in motion and moving steadily, your motivation is the engine pushing the ship forward.
The Three of Wands often shows that these opportunities lie outside your usual environment, beyond your close and familiar surroundings, where you may have exhausted the available options. It’s time to think big and not hesitate.
Your confidence, willpower, and perseverance to maintain your goals are key right now, as every step you take will help you grow. You also have a foresightful attitude.
This step is a significant change, and every change comes with anxiety and fear, but since you can see far ahead, you’ve accounted for that. You know change is inevitable, and part of you is already preparing for it so that it doesn’t catch you off guard. You anticipate it.
You like to have control, and you know that the stronger your stance and knowledge, the more control you have over what happens around you, so change is welcome. You accept and embrace it, as everything in you is geared toward the future and long-term goals.
You take control not only of what happens around you but of your own life. You become a visionary, capable of dreaming beyond any limitations you might currently face.
In the image, we can see a large body of water, suggesting that this may involve not just one, but possibly several journeys. Almost like a prediction, the Three of Wands foresees a likely trip over water, often to a distant country where your full, final, and successful development awaits with open arms.
This card unmistakably asks you to have the courage and bravery to believe in your dreams, to imagine that they’re possible, and to go after them.
Finally, the Three of Wands lets you know that others value and recognize your effort. Even if this isn’t a literal journey overseas, this card can represent the daily effort you put into improving, working hard, seeking sustenance, and trying to provide a better future for yourself and your loved ones. You’re always seeking growth and improvement, and others surely notice and appreciate it.
In matters of love
The Three of Wands indicates that things are generally good; your partner appreciates and values you, especially for the constant effort you put in. However, if they don’t treat you as an equal, maybe that’s not the right place for you, nor the right person for your life.
If you’re single and looking for love, consider if your dedication to work is what’s preventing you from meeting someone. Slow down a little and dedicate more time to your emotional life, so a new love can appear—and, most importantly, stay by your side.
In the realm of work
Without a doubt, the Three of Wands is very focused on work and action. All your work will improve, and you’ll reach goals, even if you don’t see the rewards just yet.
Continue with your effort and confidence in what you do, as results will come. In some cases, this card can represent work-related travel or relocations.
If you’re currently unemployed, get ready because an excellent job opportunity is coming your way, where you can give your best and be rewarded. Your career is only moving forward.
In terms of money and finances
The Three of Wands indicates that things are improving noticeably. All your hard work is starting to pay off, and you know that if you keep pushing, you’ll achieve even more. There’s an abundance available, and it seems to depend on how much you’re willing to take.
It’s a good time to reap what you’ve sown, but even better to plant new seeds now, as the investments, purchases, or expansions you make will flourish. There will come a time when you’ll be in a much better financial position than you ever imagined.
In the realm of health
The Three of Wands indicates excellent health. All the care you’ve taken is now paying off. If you’re undergoing treatment, the news that comes will be great, and if you’re dealing with an illness or ailment, recovery will be satisfying and faster than expected.
In the realm of spirituality
The Three of Wands suggests that you have a sensible view of things—mature, reflective, but spiritual at the same time. You’re growing, constantly gathering information, analyzing it calmly, and selecting what serves you and discarding what doesn’t.
As you constantly seek answers, you might find your opinions and positions changing. Don’t be afraid of this shift, as the Three of Wands is always a positive path forward in every sense.
The Three of Wands in reverse:
General meaning:
The Three of Wands in reverse shows that you’ve always had the intention, concern, and effort to move forward in your life, toward your goals and dreams, but for one reason or another, obstacles and delays have arisen in your plans.
A stagnant creativity, lack of support, and lack of recognition from others have often left you wondering if it’s all been a waste of time.
You may often feel overwhelmed by feelings of failure, disappointment, impatience, and lose sight of the fact that all these obstacles are part of the process.
Everything presents itself to test and challenge you, everything makes you grow and develop. Each thing that appears, and you overcome, makes you stronger, more knowledgeable, and more in control of your personal journey.
On another note, the Three of Wands suggests that the difficulty you have or have had in putting your plans and dreams into action may be due to poor planning, or rushing, which led you to overlook some things, and now those issues are sabotaging your success.
You need to slow down and review your plan to find the flaws and correct them. Maybe you’ve dreamed too big, and the goal becomes unrealistic because of its scale. In this case, you should break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Having a backup plan will also help you more than once.
This card is often associated with travel, usually for work, or trade with other distant places or countries, almost always separated by water, as shown in the card’s imagery. So, there may be delays in anything related to business or goods you expect from abroad.
In matters of love
The Three of Wands suggests that the relationship may be experiencing issues due to a lack of shared goals. For instance, your partner may want to travel or need to do so for work, and you don’t want to go with them or be in that location.
Alternatively, the situation could be reversed: you feel the need to expand, and your partner isn’t on board. That’s definitely a major obstacle in the relationship, but it can be resolved if both of you love each other and are willing to work on it.
Additionally, this card suggests that long-distance relationships are generally not a good idea. Everything seems to conspire against the growth of the relationship. Try to stay away from these types of distant bonds. Clearly, that’s not what you need right now.
In the realm of work
The Three of Wands points to delays and setbacks, with a lack of cooperation from partners or colleagues, or from people who should be supporting you. It also indicates the possibility of betrayals or underhanded moves by a partner, business associate, or even a client or supplier.
Everything related to goods and deals with foreign countries is moving slowly, taking longer than expected, and there could be sudden failures. All of these will be tests, and none will cause you to give up on your dream. They will help you learn.
If you’re looking for a job, it will come after a period of delays, false promises that will test your patience and resolve, but you will get there.
In terms of money
The Three of Wands isn’t a negative card. Things won’t go badly for you financially, but you may experience significant delays, or your business ventures may take longer to bear fruit. You’re expecting a promotion or a step up in your career; these things will come, but not without some delays.
Be cautious with partnerships and deals with people far away; you could end up disappointed and lose money. This isn’t the time to expand, take loans, or seek credit. Manage what you have, save, and be careful until things stabilize for you.
In terms of health
The Three of Wands can indicate that if you’re undergoing treatment or waiting for results, they’ll come slower than expected. This doesn’t mean they’ll be bad or negative, just that the whole process may take longer than you originally thought.
Your health is generally good, though you should try to reduce stress, impatience, and sudden frustrations caused by the obstacles this card presents.
In your spirituality
The Three of Wands especially asks you now, as difficulties arise, to make time to care for your soul and emotions.
Moments of calm and peace, meditation, or sitting quietly with a book can bring not only physical benefits but also the arrival of ideas and inspirations vital to solving what’s complicating your life right now. Often, the best answers come unexpectedly from moments of silence and contemplation.
