Popular media enjoys showing friendship among women. They like showcasing a group of female friends, living their lives intertwined and deriving joy from their shared bond. The women often end up in stressful or frightening situations on the individual level, but they always have their friends to turn to for advice. What audiences enjoy seeing in these particular types of friendship circles is the emotional bonding and nurturing that is freely traded between the women. This sort of bond is what the Three of Cups is all about.

In this scene we see three joyous women, happily dancing back and forth with one another. The women are adorned in the garb of the harvest – around them on the ground lay ripe fruit, and they are adorned in colors of red, white, and gold. They are clearly celebrating, though whether it is because of a certain event or simply for the joy of it, we cannot say. What we can say, however, is that these women are intent on celebrating with one another. They each have a cup held high and have entwined their arms together in the air.

Friendship is beautiful, and there is a key component to friendship that some are afraid to mention – emotional connection. The women in this picture hoist their cups high – the cups represent their emotions. When they are together, these women aren't afraid to show off the glory of their emotional power. Friends make you healthy and happy due, in part, to their supportive nature. When you hoist your cup, so do they!

Where there are friends gathered together, there is frivolity. This card represents the fun that can be had when a group of supportive, sharing people gets together. Look in your life for these people, so that you can gather and enjoy each other's company. Of course, this card needn't only represent specific friends – it can refer to any community, especially a local one that is within easy reach. If you aren't able to identify a group of friends in a specific community that helps you out in this way, this card is asking you to seek them out actively! Everyone needs this variety of support in their life to live in a healthy, rounded way.

Sometimes Things Just Click Into Place

A few things to ask yourself when you see the Three of Cups in your readings. Who is my support network? Do I have close friends who I can rely on emotionally? When was the last time I got to hang out with them? Should I pursue a new gathering/community/group? What priority do I give my friends in my everyday life?

The Three of Cups has a good deal in common with the Four of Wands: both showcase celebration and excitement, especially in groups. If you happen to see those two cards close together in a reading, know to expect so exciting, joyful times! The Three of Pentacles also has a lot of similarities with the Three of Cups when it comes to working together with a group, community, or another gathering of people. The Three of Pentacles focuses more on what these groups can get done when they work together on the physical plane, while the Three of Cups focuses more on emotional support and power.

What Three of Cups Means for You Today

When the Three of Cups shows up in your reading it can have multiple meanings. Either it's time to connect with some like-minded people and enjoy that special flow that only happens when 2 or more good friends get together, or it can be a sign that something that was previously stuck is going to start flowing again. In any case, the main essence that is coming through is one of effortless flow. No need to control or manipulate the situation, just get with the flow of things and let nature take its course.