The Magic of Three: Growth, Creativity, and Expression in Tarot

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When we encounter the number three in a tarot reading, it's like watching a flower bloom in fast forward. The seed has been planted with the Ace, the first shoots have developed beneath the soil with the Two, and now we're witnessing something beautiful unfold before our eyes. In the tarot, the cards numbered three are like the moment a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon, when all the longing, planning and inspiration starts to actually come together. It sounds wonderful...until we reach that pesky Three of Swords. But we'll deal with that later.

The Sacred Nature of Three

In the tarot, three represents creative expression, celebration, and synthesis. You need two things to create a third. It's the point where the spark of an idea (Ace) meets the planning phase (two) and something new is born.

Three of Cups: The Party Planners

The Three of Cups makes us want to round up the herd and plan an impromptu celebration. This card represents the creative energy that emerges when like minded people come together. It's the brainstorming session that turns brilliant, the book club that becomes a support network, and the feeling of being with people who just get you. Good times are best shared, and this card encourages us to celebrate love and connectedness.

Three of Wands: The Visionary

In the Three of Wands, our feet are still planted firmly on solid ground, but our eyes are on the horizon. The Three of Wands is about expansion, foresight, and strategic patience. We've done the groundwork, now it's time to think bigger. This card encourages us to broaden our perspective by doing something as grandiose as travelling the world, or simply reading a book which expands our understanding of the world we live in.

Three of Pentacles: The Dream Team

This is what happens when the Three of Cups puts on work clothes. Craftspeople collaborating on a cathedral, each bringing unique skills to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It's about recognising that the best work comes from combining different perspectives and expertise. It may not be as frivolous as the Three of Cups, or as exciting as the Three of Wands, but Pentacles are all about building long lasting foundations which will still stand long after the party's over.

Three of Swords: The Breakthrough

Most people see three swords piercing a heart and think "heartbreak!" But those swords aren't just weapons, they're surgical instruments, cutting away what no longer serves us. This card represents the moment when illusion is shattered and truth is revealed. Sometimes, the most creative thing we can do is let ourselves feel our feelings fully and use that emotional energy to fuel transformation. Emotional pain can often act as a catalyst for enormous creativity, and the Three of Swords encourages us to be brave enough to accept loss and move on stronger and wiser than we were before.

The Bigger Picture

When threes appear in readings, they're telling us that we've moved beyond initial stages. We're in the making it happen phase. These cards highlight the importance of expression, whether joy, ambition, creativity, or grief. They encourage us to put ourselves out there, share our gifts, and trust that authentic expression will create opportunities for growth.

Jenni Mclaughlin Art.