Who or What Was the 3 of Wands in Your Experience?

[tarot_quest]

But can you give an example of when the 3 of Wands card popped up for you in your experience?

Hi Enlightenment

I don't have any examples in mind... I might have get this card for mundane questions, but I can't remember anything important with this card so far!

 

[Krix]

I have had this card come up when I've been waiting to hear from someone.. Also when there is longing for someone who is at a distance.

 

[elena_jaymz]

Hi, once I got this card saying the querent was waiting for better opportunities to come, after the girl he was dating told him she didn't want to commit.

 

[Enlightenment23]

Hi Enlightenment

I don't have any examples in mind... I might have get this card for mundane questions, but I can't remember anything important with this card so far!

No worries. Fair enough

I have had this card come up when I've been waiting to hear from someone.. Also when there is longing for someone who is at a distance.

Same! I've gotten this card for the same type of situation as well.

Hi, once I got this card saying the querent was waiting for better opportunities to come, after the girl he was dating told him she didn't want to commit.

Same here. I think I mentioned this in my OP, but I've seen this card pop up for querents who are still holding on to whatever romantic interests they have, but they're on the look out and hunt for better prospects

 

[wildcatsensation]

Hi!

I noticed the 3 of Wands coming up in readings when I was in a position I felt I needed to break free, but was hesitating. Also, this card means excitement to me, simply going travelling for a few weeks, or going to a festival. Usually the excitement of a new period in life.

 

[Enlightenment23]

Hi!

I noticed the 3 of Wands coming up in readings when I was in a position I felt I needed to break free, but was hesitating. Also, this card means excitement to me, simply going travelling for a few weeks, or going to a festival. Usually the excitement of a new period in life.

Wow thanks wildcatsensation! Your input is useful. I've also seen the 3 of Wands have a travel element to it in my readings. As for the part where you said the 3 of Wands popped up said you wanted to break free, but was hesitating - interesting! I've seen that pop up for the 2 of Wands for me. But I could also see it being a 3 of Wands thing, too.

 

[MandMaud]

I haven't any examples to contribute either, but I have some questions that may further the exploration.

The 2W and 3W have always blended in my mind (like Padma), but this thread is helping already.

Especially about excitement/anticipation:

Also, this card means excitement to me, simply going travelling for a few weeks, or going to a festival. Usually the excitement of a new period in life.

... that makes sense to me, also the hesitation. I think of the 3W as everything in place - plans, rather than material things. Materials, funding and being in physical shape would be the 3P (which is indeed similar in terms of the stage things are at). The 3W to me is the idea (the Ace) thought through and maybe (2W) slept on or aired to someone who gave feedback - so now it's ready to go. Plans are realistic, people if needed are signed up to the project, dates are agreed, budget is sorted (the consciousness rather than the Pentacles presence of the money)... that kind of thing. It isn't yet time to take the first step - I suppose I'm saying this is the end of the beginning stage.

Which may be an impatient moment as many have mentioned, or a comfortable confidence knowing you'll know when the time is right to make a move, or a hesitation. (The 2W would be committing to the initial idea, making it not just a whim, and recruiting others or doing the research, etc.)

For the writing of a book, it could be when draft 1 is completed. Or for the publication of said book, it could be the phase between announcing the publication date and actually being in print.

Hey, examples and I didn't have any! (Albeit hypothetical ones.)

Of course it can simply be travel because of the ships in the picture. And it always reminds me of the Christmas carol 'I saw three ships come sailing in'!

I don't understand the relationship interpretations that people mostly agree on here. I can see how it could indicate two-timing, with the three wands (a wand in a card is often an individual person, for me). Is that how it applied to your querent who wanted to hold on to his girlfriend while looking for better prospects? I can see long-distance, from the travel reading. But not the other things people have put forward. Help?

 

[Enlightenment23]

I haven't any examples to contribute either, but I have some questions that may further the exploration.

The 2W and 3W have always blended in my mind (like Padma), but this thread is helping already.

Especially about excitement/anticipation:

... that makes sense to me, also the hesitation. I think of the 3W as everything in place - plans, rather than material things. Materials, funding and being in physical shape would be the 3P (which is indeed similar in terms of the stage things are at). The 3W to me is the idea (the Ace) thought through and maybe (2W) slept on or aired to someone who gave feedback - so now it's ready to go. Plans are realistic, people if needed are signed up to the project, dates are agreed, budget is sorted (the consciousness rather than the Pentacles presence of the money)... that kind of thing. It isn't yet time to take the first step - I suppose I'm saying this is the end of the beginning stage.

Which may be an impatient moment as many have mentioned, or a comfortable confidence knowing you'll know when the time is right to make a move, or a hesitation. (The 2W would be committing to the initial idea, making it not just a whim, and recruiting others or doing the research, etc.)

For the writing of a book, it could be when draft 1 is completed. Or for the publication of said book, it could be the phase between announcing the publication date and actually being in print.

Hey, examples and I didn't have any! (Albeit hypothetical ones.)

Of course it can simply be travel because of the ships in the picture. And it always reminds me of the Christmas carol 'I saw three ships come sailing in'!

I don't understand the relationship interpretations that people mostly agree on here. I can see how it could indicate two-timing, with the three wands (a wand in a card is often an individual person, for me). Is that how it applied to your querent who wanted to hold on to his girlfriend while looking for better prospects? I can see long-distance, from the travel reading. But not the other things people have put forward. Help?

In the beginning of my tarot journey, I, too, saw the 2 of Wands and 3 of Wands as "one in the same," but with a little more experience between the two, they're actually very different. I think the Rider Waite imagery is to blame - I mean you've got a guy holding a damn wand on both cards, so it's easy to find difficulties finding the difference between the two.

But if you look at the meanings between the two, there is a difference. The 2 of Wands, in the thoth deck, is called "Dominion." So the 2 of Wands has popped up for me in situations where someone has control over someone else or power over someone else, but the great thing about it is that the other person welcomes this power dynamic. The 2 of Wands also pops up for me when a restless querent is dithering between two choices - one is usually the "safe" choice, and the other is usually risky. Lastly, this can be a partnership for a project or business.

In 3 of those scenarios, the power behind the number "2" is at play - for anyone to be "dominant," there must also be a submissive (two parties). When it comes to whether you want to stay put or take a risky move, a decision between two choices needs to be made. And of course, a partnership requires two people.

The 3 of Wands is about expansion, looking ahead, and planning for the future. The reason I've seen the 3 of Wands pop up as a man who is looking out for better prospects is because of this: In the 3 of Wands, the man has made some progress (his 3 Wands, which are representative of his power), but is looking in the horizon (the future) to see how things can be better (he wants more wands!). So for example, this could represent a woman who's started her own business venture and is doing well, but she's looking to launch new stores in a different neighborhood.

So apply this to romance. A man who has a relationship in the works. And it's doing alright, but he thinks he can do better. So he's looking out on the horizon for "better women" that can meet more qualities on his "wishlist" so to speak. He may not be cheating, but he's definitely feeling antsy and believes he can find someone better.

I had another querent who was dating a taken man who told her that he planned to "leave" his current girlfriend for her. The 3 of Wands told me that he planned to stay with his main girlfriend, which is depicted by the wand he is holding on to tightly. And she, on the other hand, will remain in his life, but only behind him - as a sidechick that he can pull out of his back pocket whenever he wants to. I also took a guess because there were three wands, he had another side chick in addition to the querent. Ultimately, with him looking at the horizon, he has no loyalty to all three of them.

OF course, the 3 of Wands doesn't always depict a lover who is "looking for more." It could also represent a man who has felt he's done all he could to win over a love interest, but now he's just waiting for her response (his ships to come back, so to speak). It can also represent a man who is making plans for the future with his wife. Just need to look at the surrounding cards .

Anyway, in the case of the 3 of Wands, it's all about "expansion." Looking for more and planning for a better future! Hope this helps!

OMG I wrote so much! LOL.

 

[MandMaud]

The reason I've seen the 3 of Wands pop up as a man who is looking out for better prospects is because of this: In the 3 of Wands, the man has made some progress (his 3 Wands, which are representative of his power), but is looking in the horizon (the future) to see how things can be better (he wants more wands!). So for example, this could represent a woman who's started her own business venture and is doing well, but she's looking to launch new stores in a different neighborhood.

So apply this to romance. A man who has a relationship in the works. And it's doing alright, but he thinks he can do better. So he's looking out on the horizon for "better women" that can meet more qualities on his "wishlist" so to speak. He may not be cheating, but he's definitely feeling antsy and believes he can find someone better.

I see now, and thank you for explaining. I have learnt something.

It's just occurred to me that the 3W can also be about returns on investment. Ships coming in.

Or - punning, still - someone's lucky break, being talent-spotted or whatever applies to the situation, "When my ship comes in".

 

[GoodnessGracious]

Forgive me if I am repeating meanings that have already been presented here - but the 3 of Wands to me has often represented waiting for something or someone (mail, results, a phone call, message etc.) that is on its way ("ships are coming in", expectantly waiting, anticipation).

It very much also represents long-distance and overseas in my readings too. I have read that sometimes the 3 of Wands in relationship/love readings can symbolize someone who is "keeping their options open" and "waiting for something better to come along". Well, I don't recall that meaning in my readings, but I have gotten it to represent when a person in a relationship is longing for/invested in/involved with someone else - most likely lives overseas or at least far away. Wishing you could cross the sea to be with them.