The 3 of Wands

Representing connection; the number three is found throughout the Universe not just in occult traditions but in the halls of academia and the cathedrals of science. The triangle is the strongest geometric shape known to man and is incorporated into everything from our roads and bridges, to the roofs above our heads. The symbolism of triangles representing balance is further present in the mathematical formulae that exist for calculating the speed, distance, and time, or for calculating density, mass, and volume, as examples the triplicate nature of interconnection can be seen throughout the natural world.

In the upright state the 3 of Wands asks us to form connections in our creative endeavours. This could be potential collaborations with others, drawing upon the knowledge and experience of those who have gone before us, reaching out for help and advice, or by seeking out potential opportunities to turn creative ideas into creative practices allowing us to put the theory we have already studied into action.

In the inverted state the 3 of Wands represents the internal connections that we can form, by drawing on past experiences, looking to our past successes and failures and reflecting upon what we learned from those experiences which we can connect to our present experience and help us inform the plans we make for the future and our approach to achieve our goals.

In the Rider-Waite deck the 3 of Wands is depicted by a man standing upon a rocky outcrop looking down over a body of water. He holds one wand in his hand with two others present, one to his right and one to his left. In the body of water before him you can see 3 ships representing the opportunity of new encounters and new connections to be formed.

In self-reflection the 3 of Wands serves as a prompt to consider the tools and opportunities at your disposal to turn your creativity into something substantial; the emphasis here is turning an idea into a reality. Where the Ace of Wands and the 2 of Wands represent differences in focus when formulating ideas and planning, the 3 of Wands here focuses on transformation and translation.

Ask yourself “What can I do to make this happen?” and consider the ways you can implement your ideas; this could require drawing upon one of the other Minor Arcana domains, or it could involve reaching out to others to form a shared connection to work towards achieving your vision; in this regard ask “Who could make this happen?” if this translation is beyond your capacity alone.