3 of Cups in 78 Days
Today I wanted to give you a taste of Around the Tarot in 78 Days. It is a big book full of wonderful information and activities. My problem was one of choice, which is easy enough to remedy. The 3 of Cups is one of my favorite cards (below, see the 3 of Cups from the Steampunk Tarot along with some text from the Manual the comes with it), so we’ll see what Day 57 (dedicated to the 3 of Cups) in this 78 day journey has in store for us.
I will not, of course, share all the lessons for this day. Instead, I’ll share ways to know if you are blocking this card in your life, how to connect to the card, and the message of the card. One of the things I love about this book is how it helps you bring the cards into your everyday life, to really live the cards. If we don’t bring them to life, they remain just images on paper. In addition to the practical advice, there book includes esoteric correspondences (some of which I’d never seen and so were very welcome, such as Sabian Symbols), explorations of card meanings in various spread positions, as well as longer lessons tied together through several days (for example, the 3 of Cups is Day 7 of a longer lesson on the Celtic Cross).
You know you are blocking if you are:
1. being boring, boring, boring!
2. shunning your best friend.
3. behaving in a jealous, possessive manner.
4. picking an argument.
Connect with this card by going out with friends, finding something to celebrate, or making up for missed connections.
The 3 of Cups says:
“Cheers all around! A perfect triangulation of good will! Good friends should be appreciated, so make the effort to let them know how much they mean to hou. Have a get together, celebrate your friendship.”
“So these three woman walk into a bar: a researcher, an aviatrix,
and a fortuneteller…”
Throughout human history, trinities have played important roles spiritually, magically, and in storytelling, including TV shows and jokes. Writing and slogans are more powerful when they incorporate what is called the Rule of Three. According to this precept, in the first instance a tension is created, it is built up in the second, and then released in the third. This is strangely satisfying to the human soul, apparently.
The Three of Cups is a marvelous expression of the Rule of Three. The sets of threes in this image create a richly layered moment of satisfaction. On the surface, it looks like a happy, spontaneous moment—three women enjoying the present. However, this present moment is not completely spontaneous, nor does it exist in isolation. The pictures on the wall indicate their past achievements. The items on the table show their intentions for the future. The present contains the past as well as the future, a happy triad of time. The three types of women bring three different energies to the moment. Their differences are expressed not only in their clothing but also in the cups, or vessels, they hold. While they are all sharing an emotional moment, their experiences are different. The differences, however, do not cause conflict. On the contrary, the differences make the whole experience richer.
If this card shows up somewhere in your past, present, or future, you have or will enjoy one of these excellent moments. You will be with people you care about, celebrating and honoring not your accomplishments but each other. This is a card of recognizing and luxuriating in the ties that bind and drinking deeply of the wine of friendship. Your collective past has brought you to this moment. While this card does show a literal moment, keep in mind that the tarot is symbolic and metaphoric. Consequently, in your reading, this card can refer to a group of supportive friends on whom you should rely on. Fortified by the strength you find in each other, you look forward to the future with confidence.
