Sitter feeling very disappointed with the state of things. Just seeking some clarity. But must admit this combo puzzles me.
where is the relationship (not romantic) headed?
9 of Cups - 5 of Cups - 3 of Pentacles
One will become solitary and find fulfillment in that (9) while the other will be left with disappointment and sentiments related to "spilt milk" (5). This will leave them in an unbalanced relationship where one is "above" the other and it will be devoid of cups (3).
This was a 9 card RWS spread. Thoughts?
Underlying psychology of this spread might be:
I want (9 of Cups) to let go of desires/wishes (5 of Cups) and make things beautiful (3 of Pentacles). That may be what is /needed/ here.
The 9 of Cups suggests that there is going to be an issue with getting what one wants in this relationship; there may be too much focus on personal happiness, desires or wishes and not enough focus on enjoying each other. The 5 is showing the difference between the 9 and the 3. The 9 is not unpleasant really, but it's not cooperative like the 3 of Pentacles. It's not responsive like the 3 of Pentacles. The Quint of the first pair (9 + 5) is Temperance. Temperance is fire, and these two are water -- there's too much water, emotion/fantasy going on here, and not enough practical application. A desire, a wish, no matter how strong, is not going to get this relationship anywhere without practical application and working for it. There may also be an underlying negative assumption here of, "What I want (9), I can't have (5)" that is really just... unattractive... for someone in this situation... it's a "poor me" attitude and it comes from wishing or fantasizing too hard about what is wanted without taking practical steps.
I feel there is a third person in this set, based on 3 spilled cups and the 3 of Pentacles, but not like another love interest getting thrown in the mix. Like a friend or advisor (the professional in the 3) -- someone that's going to say, "Sorry, but you need to get your head out of your a**, that's simply not possible, not without these required steps you need to take." The Quint of these two (5 + 3) is Strength, and this person is going to play to someone's strengths and say, "What /do/ you have? What /can/ you do?" They don't care about a "poor me" attitude, they will be a positive influence that reinforces someone's true strengths and talents here, and using them to one's advantage. This third person is someone that has a good handle on mixing art and reality; bringing dreams down and making them real. They might be super wise and sought after for their advice, or simply a friend that knows one or both of the other people in this relationship pretty well.
The Quint of the entire set is Star -- this amplifies how out of touch with reality the 9 of Cups is. It amplifies a needed change in perspective with the 5 (especially with regard to letting go of control over what /may/ or /may not/ happen), and it shows what it will take to make things work in the 3 -- which may begin with "guidance" from a trusted source that knows what the heck they're talking about, and they should definitely be listened to. One may be inclined to ignore them because they will be viewed as someone outside the situation and so perhaps they don't /really/ know -- but they do, so give credit where it's due and pay attention. The 3 of Pentacles is about enjoying your work, and that enjoyment making it better. If an artist paints a picture but doesn't enjoy painting pictures, then how good is that artist's paintings, really? Probably not very good. Just like, if someone really wants a relationship but they cannot let go of control enough to enjoy it, then how good is that relationship really going to be?
