Three of Wands in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Three of Wands Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Minor
Fire
The Three of Wands is a card of expansion, projection and forward movement. It’s the moment when ideas take shape, when actions begin to produce visible results, but when the momentum remains focused on what’s to come, what’s still being built. It speaks of well-placed ambition, strategy and confidence in the future. It shows a figure looking out at the horizon from a height: he is waiting, but not passively. He is in an active posture, ready to welcome what his work has sown. This card also evokes cooperation, international opportunities, and having the self-confidence to step out of one’s comfort zone. It is synonymous with controlled progress and structured development. All in all, it’s a very positive sign that the time has come to go further, with discernment, daring and open-mindedness.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Three of Wands readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Three of Wands
The Three of Wands in love is a card of expansion, progress and openness to new perspectives. If you’re in a relationship, it can signal that the relationship is gaining momentum: joint projects, travelling together, moving in together or even planning a more concrete future. There is a forward-looking dynamic, with a desire to move forward together. It’s also a card that encourages healthy exchanges, cooperation and shared vision. For singles, this card may indicate that you are ready to embark on new experiences in love, often outside your usual zone: new encounters, sometimes from a distance or in unusual contexts. It invites you to step out of your comfort zone and meet someone who will open you up to something new. In short, this is a card that takes love beyond its current boundaries, towards a wider and more promising horizon.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Three of Wands
In the professional sphere, the Three of Wands is a very positive card. It symbolises expansion, the development of projects and fruitful partnerships, often international or linked to travel. You are in a phase where the efforts you have undertaken are beginning to bear fruit. We’re talking about long-term vision here, but also concrete actions that are being put in place. You’re observing the results, but you’re remaining active, ready to seize the opportunities that arise. It’s also a card of anticipation: you know that what you’ve sown has potential, and you await the first returns with confidence. It can also represent an opening onto new markets, new professional contacts, or a move towards a more strategic position. The central idea: you’re on the right track, and the field of possibilities is widening before you.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Three of Wands
In financial terms, the Three of Wands talks about judicious investment, return on investment, and growth-oriented management. You’ve probably already laid a solid foundation, and now you’re watching the results or strategically planning what comes next. These may be gains from past activities, or new opportunities that arise thanks to a clear, proactive vision. This card also suggests an opening up to sources of income outside your usual environment: trade, exports, foreign investment, or collaboration with distant partners. This is the time to think big, to broaden your financial perspective and not limit yourself to the traditional schemes. Be careful, however, to keep an eye on the practical details: ambition is beneficial, but it must remain in line with your means and management capabilities.
Family reading
with the card Three of Wands
The Three of Wands in the family sphere evokes the harmonisation of relationships over the long term. It can indicate a period of renewed stability following efforts at communication and mutual understanding. Joint projects, such as a move, a family trip or educational goals for the children, are implemented with vision and a spirit of cooperation. This card also reflects the possibility of physical distance, such as a family member moving abroad or a distance being established, but within a chosen, thoughtful and often positive framework. It can also represent the passing on of experience: older generations can play a guiding role. Finally, this map invites us to think of the family not as a fixed framework, but as a constantly evolving structure, open to the outside world and enriched by the diversity of exchanges.
Spiritual reading
with the card Three of Wands
On a spiritual level, the Three of Wands invites you to look beyond the present moment, to perceive the continuity of your inner path. You’re in a phase of expanding your consciousness, where your past efforts at personal development are beginning to bear fruit. You feel more anchored in your values, while being able to explore other spiritual approaches, sometimes from elsewhere. This card symbolises a broadening of horizons: a spiritual journey, a new teaching, the discovery of a different philosophy. This is a good time to meditate on the long term, your life’s mission, or the wider cycles of your destiny. You’ve laid a solid foundation, and now you observe what emerges, ready to continue the journey. The Three of Wands also embodies the wisdom of looking to the horizon: staying true to your essence while remaining curious about the mystery of the unknown.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Three of Wands and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Three of Wands according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Three of Wands in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
