3 of wands

[Star83]

I’m curious to know if anyone has any experience with the 3 of wands when asking about love life eg: ‘what will my love life be like.’

 

I use the mythic tarot deck but I’ll also refer to the rider Waite tarot.

 

When I look at mythic deck I see a traveller holding three wands (I don’t know what that represents) and he is startled and contemplating the man offering the crown. I see this as the man offering to be in the guy’s life. He’s showing he wants to be a part of it and will do anything. But the guy standing is wondering if that’s really a good idea. So perhaps this shows that during travels the querent will meet someone who is deeply, or should I say intrudingly, wants to be a part of his/her life.

 

The rider Waite tarot makes me see things a little different. The man is turning his back on two rods and holds one only. I see this as the querent having to keep hold of his/her partner because he/she will have many ppl of the opposite sex wanting him/her. I see those two rods as unwanted intruders and the querent is the having to constantly turn their back on them and protect their relationship. I’m not sure if this is a happy card for a relationship. I think this kind of scenario would cause much anxiety in relationships.

 

I hope someone can shed light on any experiences with this card.

 

 

[sandrang123]

Hi Star,

 

I always look at the three of wands as a card of opportunity, and often a card of new, broadening experiences and travel. Usually for me it indicates increasing opportunities, etc. In love, though, it could mean still looking for that perfect mate, but having an idea already of what type of mate is sought after. Or, it could mean having someone already but not yet really knowing the depth of the love, which could come down to so simple a thing as not really knowing tons about the person of interest yet. In other words, there's again that feeling of newness to things--a new lover, a new boyfriend, etc. It could mean contemplating people from all areas of life (or, depending upon surrounding cards) the need to broaden the social circle to include more types of people. It could indicate a "foreigner" or "stranger" of some sort (linking into that idea of travel). Or a chance encounter. In your first deck, I would even say contemplating a love interest who might be of higher social standing in some way, or being surprised by someone's declaration of interest, etc. The Rider Waite deck makes me think that a choice has already been made and the beginnings of a relationship established. Of course, surrounding cards can help give better context and help you hone in on the specifics rather than the general ideas of the card.

 

Hope this helps!

Sandy

[Star83]

That was great, thanks. I like the bit where you say someone of a high ranking may really want to be with the querent.

[Samual_Jennings]

I use Rider Waite Deck. The 3 of Wands is actually my favorite card. Consider the image:

 

A man in disheveled robes. To me, this symbolizes acquired humility.

 

Two wands behind, while man holds one wand. To me, leaving behind preconceptions of right and wrong, while embracing the truth.

 

Looking out over ocean. To me, curiosity and vision.

 

Standing on hill. To me, takes an uphill climb to get to the desired state.

 

To summarize what this card means to me: It will be somewhat difficult, but if you humble yourself and have vision, you will find truth.

 

To me, the 3 of Wands is a card of seeking truth and humble vision.

[DanielJUK]

When any of the "3" cards come up for a reading, I always see it a sign to look at that card and other cards carefully if there could be more than one person involved. It's a warning sign for me (good if you are into polyamorous relationships though). Most of the time it's not the case I have found but a few times I have done a reading and there has been a third party in a relationship which is a complicating factor.

 

The card before this, the 2 of Wands is a planning card, but in this card you sometimes see ships coming in out of the sea whilst the guy is waiting and looking over the expansive view. This to me is a positive love card if you can rule out the risk of other people and shows something will happen (ships are coming in). If this card comes up for a how can I find love? type reading, I think it's a key message to broaden your search and look for someone different to your usual type, like someone from overseas perhaps. It could really unexpectedly be a great match! In regards to what will your love life be like? it represents something new and something that will expand your horizons. Perhaps they are not your usual type of person and perhaps they have goals and plans that you have not thought about but now want to join together on the journey. This is a new and different love life that you might not have planned for and expected but could be great for you! This card can represent overseas, expansion and business and enterprise, it's something taking off  :)

[Cobweb]

3 is a very active dynamic number and wands are all about want/desire so, in terms of a love question, I'd be thinking in terms of something fiery - and a situation that's actively developing.

 

3 is the point at which the initial impetus (ace) has moved past the planning stage (2) to the point at which it takes solid form as a tangible action.

 

So 3 of Wands is talking about actively doing something, putting ideas into action.

 

I read the RWS version as, literally, a merchant who's sent his ships out to sea and is waiting for them to come back.  He's investing and risk-taking.  So e.g. for someone who's looking for love - the message might be to take chances, meet new people, put yourself out there.

[resetbtn]

One of my favorite cards. This card for me is about taking time away and really fine-tuning or improving yourself, and self-growth.

[Magic Waffle]

The Three of Wands has always been a card of expanding horizons for me. Through the undergoing of some kind of construction, be it emotional or physical, whenever i draw this card i know that soon i will be building on something or at the least needing to consider what i have and how i can make something out of it it.

[Ratty]

I see the three of wands as a card of searching. It's like the Fool setting out on an adventure or an exploration, but unlike The Fool, the three of wands isn't open. He already knows what he's looking for.

 

In the mythic tarot, this is the story of Jason. His uncle Pelias deposed his father Aeson, taking the throne. Pelias then set about killing all Aeson's descendants. Jason's mother pretended Jason was stillborn and sent the baby away to be cared for by the centaur Chiron. Pelias was warned by an Oracle to beware a man wearing one sandal.

 

When the grown Jason arrived back to claim his kingdom, he had lost a sandal. Pelias, knowing that the prophesy prevented him from acting directly against Jason, told him he could have his kingdom, but... to prove himself he would have to seek the Golden Fleece first. Jason agrees.

 

So far from wanting to be in Jason's life, Pelias is trying to get rid of him, hoping that he will die on the quest. Once again, there is the theme of starting a quest, a search for something known.

 

In terms of a relationship, this is a search for a passion not a love. He might find his muse, but whether they form a real relationship or whether she remains on a pedestal is down to a different card.

 

[risingsun]

i don't see it as negative in relationships, but not guaranteed positive either. if asking about love or relationships, i would say that there is definite hope for something to develop. it's a card of contemplation to me, so someone is thinking about what they want and exploring the possibilities of where things can go. it's also come-up about missing someone as well. in most decks, there's a guy looking out to the ocean, thinking, which could mean be thinking about a special someone and missing them.