#tarot traditional-The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC

The Rider–Waite–Smith Three of Cups illustrates the Three Dancing Graces, an image popularized during the Renaissance and rooted in Classical mystery symbolism. This is a more traditional representation than that found in the Thoth Tarot or many modern decks; However, the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot remains remarkably faithful to the core doctrine of the Four Threes of Tarot: the realization and fulfillment of an action within its elemental suit.

In the Rider–Waite–Smith Three of Cups, the action is shown through three women dancing in a spiral formation, their cups uplifted in joyful offering. This circular dance implies the spiraling descent of Spirit into manifestation, where emotion becomes shared experience and inner feeling matures into outer celebration. The setting is a fertile, cornucopia-like garden, signaling abundance, nourishment, and emotional security.

The three figures are pledged to one another, not merely in friendship, but in a deeper covenant of emotional harmony and mutual recognition. This is Binah’s formative womb expressing itself through the watery nature of Cups: emotion structured into joy, communion, and shared meaning.

Thus, the Three of Cups represents the conclusion of a matter in plenty, perfection, and merriment. It marks a moment where emotional intention has successfully manifested into a secure and fertile environment, one capable of sustaining life, creativity, and collective joy. It is the mystery of celebration not as indulgence, but as spiritual confirmation that something has been rightly formed.

The Triple Goddess Tarot – Three of Cups remains faithful to traditional imagery, portraying the Maid, Mother, and Crone dancing together with drinking cups uplifted in celebration. Each figure is distinguished by color and crown, emphasizing the living cycle of feminine power: one is dressed in blue, crowned with green leaves; another in green, crowned with violets; and the third in white, crowned with yellow flowers. Together, they dance within a lush grassy meadow beneath a radiant blue sky, a landscape of fertility, openness, and emotional vitality.

This triune dance is not merely symbolic of joy, but of initiated wholeness. The Triple Goddess reveals emotional life as cyclical, sacred, and relational. Here, emotion is not hidden or restrained, but shared openly as a living sacrament. The raised cups signify emotional honesty lifted into conscious communion.

When this card appears, it calls the querent to dare to reveal their true nature to others. It is an invitation to become a mirror of authenticity, where one’s inner emotional truth is reflected without distortion. This is a scene of group harmony, celebration, hospitality, and community, where belonging arises naturally through sincerity rather than performance.

This card is a radiant expression of harmonious union: among women, within communities, and between the inner lunar landscape and outer life. It signals pregnancy (literal or creative), merriment, success, and a flowing abundance that comes from alignment with one’s intuitive and emotional depths.

The 3 of Cups, then, is not merely a card of celebration—it is a sacred chalice of communion with the Moon, the Feminine Mysteries, and the deep waters of soul connection.

Hermetic Synthesis: The Threefold Cup of Sacred Communion

When the Rider–Waite–Smith and Triple Goddess Three of Cups are viewed together, a single Hermetic teaching emerges: joy is not accidental, it is the confirmation of successful formation. In both decks, emotion has completed its gestation and now circulates freely as shared life-force. The Rider–Waite–Smith presents this mystery through the Three Graces, emphasizing harmony achieved through mutual recognition and pledged unity.

The Triple Goddess expresses the same truth through Maid–Mother–Crone, revealing that emotional fulfillment arises when all phases of being are honored and allowed to participate.

Together, these images teach that authentic celebration is an act of magick. It is the moment when inner feeling, communal trust, and spiritual order align.

This is Binah’s womb made visible: emotion structured, stabilized, and given form so that it may nourish others. The Three of Cups thus becomes a threshold card, marking the point where private emotion becomes sacred communion, and where joy itself stands as proof that the Work has been rightly done

In gematria (Qabalistic numerology), the number 3 holds significant characteristics and symbolic meanings across various traditions, particularly in Jewish mysticism, numerology, and Western esoteric practices. Here are some of the key characteristics and symbolic attributes of the number 3:

1. Balance and Harmony:

   • The number 3 often represents balance and harmony, as it is seen as the synthesis of dualities. In many mystical traditions, it represents the unification of opposites, forming a harmonious whole.

2. Divine Completeness:

   • In Jewish mysticism, the number 3 is considered to signify completeness and perfection, often associated with the divine. It symbolizes the threefold nature of divinity, such as the three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) in the Hebrew Bible.

3. Creativity and Expression:

   • The number 3 is frequently linked to creativity, self-expression, and communication. It embodies the principle of growth and expansion, encouraging artistic and communicative endeavors.

4. Spiritual Awareness:

   • In Western esoteric traditions, the number 3 is associated with spiritual awareness and the unfolding of spiritual consciousness. It is often seen as a symbol of the spiritual journey, representing stages of development and enlightenment.

5. Triads and Trinities:

   • The concept of triads or trinities is central to the symbolism of the number 3. This can be seen in various religious and philosophical contexts, such as the Christian Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Hindu Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), and the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas) in Hindu philosophy and the Maid-Mother-Crone Trinity goddess of Western magick.

6. Manifestation and Realization:

   • The number 3 is associated with the process of manifestation and realization. In many mystical traditions, it represents the transition from potential to actual, embodying the principle of bringing ideas or spiritual concepts into tangible form.

7. Numerical and Alphabetic Representation:

   • In Hebrew gematria, the number 3 is represented by the letter Gimel (ג). This letter is often associated with the concepts of kindness and nourishment, as well as the idea of movement and progression.

8. Symbolic Figures:

   • The number 3 is often seen in symbolic figures and sacred geometry, such as the triangle. The triangle is a potent symbol representing stability, strength, and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms.

By understanding these characteristics, one can gain deeper insights into the symbolic and mystical significance of the number 3 in various esoteric traditions.

The concept of the Maid-Mother-Crone, also known as the Triple Goddess or Trinity Goddess, is a prominent archetype in various pagan and neo-pagan traditions, particularly within Wicca and other forms of modern witchcraft. The Suit of Cups represents the feminine as an archetype that embodies three distinct aspects of the feminine divine, each representing different stages of a woman's life as well as different phases of the lunar cycle. Here’s a detailed explanation of each aspect:

1. Maiden (Maid):

   • Youth and Beginnings: The Maiden symbolizes youth, purity, and new beginnings. She is often associated with the waxing moon, representing growth, expansion, and the start of new ventures.
   • Innocence and Potential: This aspect of the Triple Goddess embodies innocence, potential, and the excitement of youth. She is a symbol of untapped possibilities and the promise of the future.
   • Associated Deities: Goddesses that represent the Maiden aspect include Persephone, Artemis, and Brigid.

2. Mother:

   • Maturity and Fertility: The Mother represents maturity, fertility, nurturing, and the fullness of life. She is associated with the full moon, symbolizing peak power, creativity, and abundance.
   • Nurturing and Protection: This aspect embodies the nurturing, protective, and life-giving qualities of motherhood. She is the creator, the sustainer of life, and the caretaker.
   • Associated Deities: Goddesses that represent the Mother aspect include Demeter, Isis, and Gaia.

3. Crone:

   • Wisdom and Transformation: The Crone symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and the ending of cycles. She is associated with the waning moon, representing decline, introspection, and the passage into death and rebirth.
   • Experience and Insight: This aspect embodies the qualities of experience, deep knowledge, and the guidance that comes from having lived a full life. She is often seen as a guide through the dark times and a source of profound spiritual insight.
   • Associated Deities: Goddesses that represent the Crone aspect include Hecate, Cerridwen, and Baba Yaga.

Symbolism and Significance

• Lunar Phases: The Triple Goddess is closely linked to the phases of the moon. The waxing moon (Maiden), full moon (Mother), and waning moon (Crone) symbolize the cyclical nature of life and the eternal process of growth, fulfillment, and decline.
• Life Cycle: The Maid-Mother-Crone archetype mirrors the natural life cycle of a woman, encompassing her journey from youth to maturity and finally to old age. This reflects the broader cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth in nature.
• Empowerment and Balance: By embracing all three aspects, the Triple Goddess provides a model for the wholeness and balance of the feminine psyche. Each aspect offers unique strengths and wisdom, encouraging women to honor all stages of their lives.
• Ritual and Worship: In many neo-pagan traditions, rituals and worship practices often focus on invoking the Triple Goddess to seek guidance, blessings, and support. Each aspect may be called upon for different purposes, such as invoking the Maiden for new beginnings, the Mother for nurturing and protection, and the Crone for wisdom and transformation.

The Triple Goddess serves as a powerful symbol of the divine feminine, celebrating the diversity and richness of women's experiences and the natural world’s cycles.

Hermetic Axiom:
Joy is a sacred force when allowed to flow freely, but becomes suffering the moment it is grasped or confined.

When the Three of Cups Appears in a Reading

When the Three of Cups is thrown, the querent is often entering a three-week or three-month cycle marked by plenty, hospitality, shared enjoyment, and celebration. This may include social gatherings, feasting, drinking, dancing, pleasure, and emotional warmth. It is a time when life feels generous and welcoming, and the heart opens naturally toward joy.

There may also be outward signs of renewal, such as new clothes or a refreshed wardrobe, reflecting an inner shift toward self-expression and confidence. Emotionally, this card brings a surface of love, gladness, kindness, and bounty, where goodwill flows easily and relationships feel supportive.

Success during this period is often passive rather than forced. Good fortune arrives without strain, as though the current itself is carrying the querent forward. This is the Bacchanalian life of the cornucopia—a reminder to enjoy fully, yet without grasping. Do not attempt to preserve the moment or bind it in fear of loss. Instead, let the twinkle of Joy in the “I” guide you naturally into fresh sensual experiences.

Let Spring be Spring, Summer be Summer. Each season fulfills its purpose when allowed to pass in harmony.

This card may also indicate:

• An impending wedding or celebration of union

• Pregnancy, birth, or the joyful arrival of new life

• The strengthening of community, friendship, and shared emotional ground

If Reversed

When reversed, the Three of Cups signals a shift in circumstances. What once brought pleasure may now feel excessive, draining, or painful. Joy has reached its natural limit.

It may indicate:

• Completion or conclusion

• Dispatch or movement away from a former situation

• Achievement followed by release

• The recognition that a cycle of pleasure has ended

Here, the teaching is not loss, but discernment. Knowing when to step away is as sacred as knowing when to celebrate. Joy, like wine, must be honored in its proper measure.

Thank you for your interest, your thoughtful comments, and your generous support.
Your donations help keep this work alive and accessible to all sincere seekers.
May your generosity return to you in abundance. May you live long and prosper.

A Thoth Tarot Layout Reading is a deep Hermetic analysis of your life situation, revealing why events are unfolding as they are — and how to consciously work with the forces involved.

Unlike generic Tarot readings, this work is rooted in Western Hermetic Qabalah, the Tree of Life, astrological and elemental dynamics, and the original metaphysical intent of the Thoth Tarot. Each layout is read as a living pattern of energy, not a collection of isolated symbols.

Your reading offers:

• Clarity on root causes, not surface symptoms

• Insight into timing, cycles, and soul lessons

• Actionable guidance aligned with your Higher Will

• Recognition of repeating patterns and how to transcend them

• Empowerment through understanding, not dependency

This is not entertainment, reassurance, or passive prediction.
It is a conscious dialogue with the deeper intelligence of your psyche and Solar Self.

A Thoth Tarot Magus does not tell you what will happen —
they reveal what is happening energetically, and how choice, awareness, and alignment change outcomes.

🔑 Who This Reading Is For

This reading is ideal if you:

• Feel stuck in repeating emotional, career, or relational patterns

• Want real spiritual insight, not vague affirmations

• Value depth, precision, and Hermetic integrity

• Are ready to take responsibility for your growth

• Seek understanding of your life through soul mechanics, not superstition

🌟 What You Walk Away With

After your Thoth Tarot Layout Reading, clients commonly report:

• A profound sense of clarity and direction

• Relief from confusion and internal conflict

• Renewed confidence in decision-making

• A deeper connection to purpose and identity

• Practical steps to work with upcoming energies consciously

This is Tarot as it was meant to be used —
as an instrument of awakening, alignment, and empowerment.

Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons Blog-Rider-Waite- Smith and tarot store.

Home page, Tarot Store, Master Thoth Tarot Classes, and nontraditional Tarot Card Comparisons Blog-Thoth Tarot

Western Hermetic Magick ritual and invocation website and magick blogs.