Tarot Card Study - the 3's

[LisaT4P]

3 of Wands
3 of Swords
3 of Cups
3 of Pentacles

Empress
Hanged Man
World

Please put pictures of your favorite versions of these cards if you have them. They can all be from the same deck or different decks. If you have more than one favorite, feel free to post all of them! Part of the fun of this will be showing off our decks and the fun for others will be seeing the images!

Please discuss why this / these are your fave version(s) of the particular card. What in the card speaks the most to you? How does it relate to the other #3 cards? Can you see the Empress, Hanged Man or World in the minors? The suits in the Majors? Does looking @ the cards in this way change your perspectives?

How would you interpret this card in different types of readings? What is your most frequent interpretation of this card, or what is your keyword or phrase for it?

[LisaT4P]

And I thought I'd share the 3s from my new MerryDay Tarot! :D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3MerryDay.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3MerryDay-Majors.jpg

Does anyone else have images to share?

[Bethra]

3 Binah = The Threes
Three signifies formalization. The idea has received its first impetus at Two but now requires a form or concept to give it shape. The understanding of personal experience derived from the outset of a project.

The Importance of the Number:
Given the number of 3 this card is the number of childbirth, new life and fecundation and material productivity. It is the number of creation of the phenomena in time. It is representative of the celebration and joy of life itself. Outgoing, joy of life, imaginative, enthusiastic. Symbolic of energy and ideas in action. Having a good time.

Path Position on the Qabalistic Tree of Life:
Situated on the pathway between Chokmah and Binah this card represents harmony. It is the first of the pathways that link the opposing pillars together directly to create physical movement towards actuality. Fertility that comes from combining the masculine force and the feminine form. A joining of wisdom and understanding to create knowledge. This card represents synthesis and harmony, the resolving of tension created by duality through the birth of a third unifying principle. It is the pathway of birth, new life, fecundation and material productivity. It is the creation of phenomena in time, and a source of life itself. It is the abundant creative force of nature and an abundance of melding form. A passive approach as opposed to the active intellectual control expressed by the Magician.

Three of Swords - Heartache. Signifies the minds first comprehension of the effects of feelings. The card of heartache is often a very unhappy card since the Swords are not happy over on the feminine pillar. he force now has form and experiencing this form is uncomfortable for the thoughts.

Three of Cups - Celebration. Signifies the early fluttering of the heart. The first time emotions gain form and take shape. What was once only a feeling suddenly becomes experienced feeling. The card of celebration.

Three of Wands - Opportunity. Signifies the first opportunity with any true form in an enterprise. The card of opportunity gives form and direction.

Three of Penticals - Skill. Signifies skill building. This is the early sketches on an architects page. The card of skill indicates that understanding of ones craft is the way to proper conclusion of events.

[LisaT4P]

More images! Woot!

Here are the Minor 3's from the Nigel Jackson. The 3 of Swords was a deciding factor in my purchase of this deck. I just love how the 2 are separated by the chasm. http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3NigelJackson.jpg

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the New Vision Tarot's 3's and see if there were any added insights of looking @ the characters from the different perspective of this deck. Here are the minors: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3NewVision.jpg

And the Majors: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3NewVisionMajors.jpg

I love my Gothic deck by Vargo and his Hanged Man is one of my fave cards. Here you can see it along with the Empress & 3 of Pents: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/3gothic.jpg

And just because it was silly & I loved it, the Hanged Man from the Housewives Tarot: http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/lkrough2/HangedHousewife.jpg

[LisaT4P]

Once again, here is the list of traits of the 3 (mostly personality traits, but you get the idea) from astrology-numerology.com

3 Positive Traits: Self-expressive in many ways, verbalization, inspiration and keen imagination, artistic gifts, accurate impressions and insights, never-ending optimism, happy and fun-loving, enjoys life fully.

3 Negative Traits: Scattered energies, exaggeration, unfinished projects, lack of direction, moodiness, self-centeredness.

[LisaT4P]

3 of Wands - I see this one as the next step from the 2. The 2 is the Gambler's card, now the gambler gets to see if his risk has paid off. The most common key-phrase for this is "Your ships have come in". I guess you get to see if the crew ate all your profits on the trip! :)

3 of Swords - I have to thank Thirteen over @ Aeclectic for my perspective on this one. She reminds us that while the image is usually that of a broken / Stabbed / Bleeding heart, that this is still the SWORDS suit, and therefore the cards has a more intellectual meaning. This is not a cups card! :) I think many of us lose sight of that. She suggests that the card means that there has been a miscommunication that has caused the heart ache. But, the plus side is that now all the issues that were buried have come to the surface and even though it hurts, they can now be examined (Thank you, Thirteen!)

3 of Cups - Dancing ladies! Woot! Sometimes they're even nekkid! Double Woot! LOL This card is always about coming together in celebration, for me. I particularly like the 3 of Cups from the World Spirit Tarot, as it is the Maiden, Mother & Crone. I also really like the imagery from the Whimsical, because (If I remember correctly) it is the Ruba-a-dub-dub Three Men in a Tub rhyme. So cute!

3 of Pentacles - I see this card as the mastery of your craft. You've put lots of hard work into it and you are now at the point where you are enjoying the work & creation process, because it's no longer a struggle. This one often causes issues when it comes up in a "Love" reading. I generally interpret it as "you've gotten to know each other really well, and you're staring to finish each other's sentences. The relationship doesn't feel like so much work anymore".

Empress - Ah, the Empress. Creativity personified. 'Nuff said.

Hanged Man - I like the Hanged Man alot. I used to associate him only with sacrificing and letting go of things. But then I compared him to Odin and saw that the sacrifice was a different sort than I thought. I also see him as the Robin Williams character in Dead Poet's Society, telling his student to stand on their desks to gain new perspectives. "Oh Captain, my captain!"

World - And here it is, the World is your Oyster. You've completed this cycle of the spiral and it's time to go back to the beginning and start over again. One phase has ended and another begins. Achievement. What is the reward for hard work? More work! "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin', into the future."

[curiousfae]

when i think of the three of hearts i instantly think of heartbreak. it's how i learned. but, like you said, it is a SWORD after all. this has always confused me. when looking at your nigel jackson card it hit me; the two of swords being split right down the middle by another sword. to me this suggest a thought or decision that has been made that causes a separation between two forms of thought. or like you said a miscommunication. the "thought" or sword in the middle is the truth or a thought that is barring the truth. or maybe -no more decision to be made; it has been made for you. ah! thanks for posting the pic- i've seen it a million times and it finally hits me!! :idea:

[Flaire-FireStar]

3 of Swords - I have to thank Thirteen over @ Aeclectic for my perspective on this one. She reminds us that while the image is usually that of a broken / Stabbed / Bleeding heart, that this is still the SWORDS suit, and therefore the cards has a more intellectual meaning. This is not a cups card! :) I think many of us lose sight of that. She suggests that the card means that there has been a miscommunication that has caused the heart ache. But, the plus side is that now all the issues that were buried have come to the surface and even though it hurts, they can now be examined (Thank you, Thirteen!)

I've always felt a draw towards the 3 of Swords. That's a good explanation for it, thanks for sharing Lisa. :) I'll have to remember that the next time 3oS shows up in my readings..which is almost as predictable as the King of Pentacles. :bigredblu

[LisaT4P]

thanks for posting the pic- i've seen it a million times and it finally hits me!! GREAT! That was the entire point behind posting all the pics! LOL

Does anyone else have a tarot deck in their head? I have my own little deck in there and it consists of various versions of cards from various decks I've had over the years. The 3 of Swords from the Nigel Jackson is in there, as well as the 4 of Wands & 3 of Cups from the World Spirit tarot. There are some from the Ancestral Path, from the Whimsical, from lots of other decks that I've had and traded or sold and ones that I have currently. It's like my own little encyclopedia or something.

Or... maybe I'm just weird? (entirely probable) ;)

[LisaT4P]

In case ya'll didn't notice... I'm being stubborn and not moving on the 4's until more people respond. :D

[Shatril]

I will be posting when I get home from this trip. I just don't have cards with me, and I want to make sure that I get this right. :rollingla

[Taliesyn]

sorry It's taken me so long-

3's
pentacles-
gain through a trade or skill that you are learned in.

Wands-
The well worn path. learning from your experiences, examining your results.

Cups- emotional completion, but at the same time, a desire for a change.

Swords- sorrows weighing on your mind. walking a lonley road in the rain.

Threes to me speak of experience. that is the real product of the union between beginning and choosing (1 & 2)

The Empress- Fruitfulness. Pregnancy. Earth Goddess. abundance.

The Hanged man- transformation, self sacrifice. this card always makes me think about Odin, and the way he learned the runes.

The World- all paths are open to you. you have all you need.

The Empress speaks to me of three as potential for things, the ready to ripen fruit of our experiences. the Hanged man, the path to recive those gifts (through growth and change, so we can accecpt them) and the World, the gifts themselves.

when I read the 3 of swords, It makes me remember a time when I was completly alone, boarding a plane for miami in the rain (on samhian, no less) - I had been ostracized from the whole town I grew up in because of my belifs, and was moving to my aunts home (mainly because of an attempt on my life- looong story)- that's the best I can describe that card.

oh- and the whole card in the head thing- I have to see R/W style images to read a strange deck- for example, playing cards. I visualize the pic from R/W and the meaning comes to me.

[Brightshores]

To me, the Threes are all about creativity and synthesis... the combination of two different things to make a new and different third. The words I associate with the Threes include growth, fertility, combination, integration, and manifestation.

The Three of Wands is the combination of idea/intent with activity to create growth.

The Three of Cups, to me, mainly concerns relationships, particularly friendships, in celebration and harmony.

The Three of Swords is the breaking of a truce, the ending of an untenable situation. (Interestingly, this is the card that always comes up when I do readings involving my mother.. and needless to say we don't have a good relationship)
:T

The Three of Pentacles, to me, is a card of business opportunities, of building stability and security by using one's own skills and interests wisely.

The Empress, to me, represents fertility and abundance in every sense of the words... fruitfulness, growth, and prosperity.

The Hanged Man represents enlightenment through solitude and introspection.

And, finally, the World represents the ultimate synthesis of experiences, thoughts, and actions- completion, fulfillment, self-actualization, and success - union with something greater than oneself. It marks the happy ending of one journey, and perhaps the beginning of another.

[Shatril]

OK to quote my favorite Chicken Qabalahist Lon Milo DuQuette. I am the only one (1) and I am bored so I ponder my oneness and go inside to observe; and for the first time say "I am this" which creates a reflection (2). "Oh! Curse the moment I ever brought two into existenc, because the moment of my Self became conscious of my reflection (my Not-Self), a third concept was created, that is ...the knowledge of the difference between Self and Not-Self. "I am 'this' but 'that' is not I". Conclusion creation commenced when Deity stirred from undistracted ecstasy and became self-consious, an act which transformed Its self-existence (as the inscrutable Divine Unity) into Its self-image (as the Deity of creation). Therefore, I suggest that we also consider the number Three one of our primary holy numbers.

I use the witches tarot, and at the moment I do not have a way to scan them. However, if someone else has that capability I would appreciate the effort to scan them. In my belief system the first three sephiroth are the Supernal trinity unit with Binah being the Cosmic Mother. Kether, Chokma, and Binah are connected by the path the creat Form. So in the interpretations of the threes in tarot we are interpreting form in the four elements.

The Three of Wands being the maiden, mother, crone holding wands in the shape of the triangle. Binah Manifesting through air; mind in the sphere of form. Thoughts have form and this is how we creat our reality. The interpretation that I usually make with this is that whatever we are thinking is what is shaping the querents reality whether for positive or negative would depend on the questions and position of the card.

The Three of Swords-Three swords forming a doorway with a lady walking through down the path that leads away from the door. Binah manifesting through fire; action and will in the sphere of form. My interpretation is that it is time for you to put into action the ideas that you have been forming in your mind. Go through the door and down the path that you know is the right thing to do.

The Three of Cups-A fountain with three streams of water arching out of it with three obvious witches standing around it catching the streams of water in their chalices. Binah manifesting through water; emotions/intuition in the sphere of form. I interpret this to mean that the emotions/intuition may have restricted form that may need to be expanded to suit the circumstances of the querent for them to be useful to the querent. It may mean that the emotions are taking on form and becoming more defined and restrictive.

The Three of Pentacles-This is a pregnant woman working on a tapestry with two pentacles worked into it and the third one on a pendant around her neck. Binah acting through earth; the physical in the sphere of form. Form coming to fruition. Pregnancy, change in weight, skilled manifestions of your ideas, acquisition of the ideas that have formed. Getting something material as a result of the forms.

III The Empress-A pregnant lady in pink and red with a crown on her head and sitting on the ground. The connection of Chokmah to Binah; The Understanding of Wisdom and the Wisdom of Understanding. This is the fruit of the union of Chokmah and Binah. This is the card of fruition at the highest level. I interpret this to indicate that all the hard work that has gone into something is coming to its ultimate fruition. Whether this is for good or not depends on the energies used in the creation.

XII The Hanged Man-This card in my deck reflects the legend of Odin hanging from the tree Yggdrasil. It was a form of sacrifice and resulted in the discovery of 'runes'. Path between Geburah and Hod. The might of glory and the glory of might. I interpret this to mean that the sacrifices that have been or being made have led or will lead to wonderful, spectacular, amazing results. The 23 tree of life path leads from Geburah strength/sacrifice to Hod Splendor, it is clear that this card means going from the state of sacrifice requiring all the strength you have in a given situation to the state of splendor. This means the manifestation of you desires that you have sacrified much for. The saying "From the rediculous to the sublime" comes to mind here.

XXI Universe- This is a woman with her hips covered but otherwise naked. Her legs are in the shape of a 4 similar to the hanged man. There are twelve smoke rings around her with her hand chakras spiralling a smoke trail in the shape of a spiral. The tetragramaton of the person, bird, bull and lion are represtend in the corners in a counterclockwise fashion as listed above. The 32 path between Yesod and Malkuth. The foundation of the Kingdom and the Kindom of the foundation. I interpret this to mean that some aspect needs to be worked on. In the Qabalah it is about traveling from the realm of the spirit to the realm of material. I interpret this to mean that we are going along a path to ultimate fruition either in the material or spiritual depending on what direction or realm the querent is looking at in their question.

I did this before reading others except for Bethra's, however, the book with this deck also associates with the Qabalahistic Tree of Life. Was a wonderful exercise for me to look at and learn more.

[LisaT4P]

Wow, you guys!

Taliesyn, thanks for sharing your story about the 3 of Swords, and Shatril this was just wonderful reading!

I'm going to unstick for now, but feel free to add more to this if anything else strikes you. :)

[LisaT4P]

From the Witches Tarot by Ellen Cannon Reed for Shatril:

http://z.about.com/d/paganwiccan/1/0/0/C/witch_3swords.jpg http://z.about.com/d/paganwiccan/1/0/1/C/witch_3wands.jpg