The essential meanings of this Minor Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Three of Cups upright stands for celebration, friendship, and community. It’s about shared joy – whether it's friends gathering, family celebrations, or team success. This card often appears when there's good news to share or a reminder to cherish the supportive circle around you. Upright, it encourages you to connect with others, enjoy social events, and perhaps collaborate creatively. It’s very much a “good times” card, emphasizing that togetherness and gratitude amplify happiness.

Reversed: The Three of Cups reversed can indicate overindulgence or a shallow social scene. Perhaps partying has gotten out of hand, or you might feel left out from a group. It could also suggest gossip or tension among friends. In a different light, sometimes this card appears reversed when it’s time to focus on yourself instead of others – maybe you've been putting too much energy into socializing and not enough into personal goals. The reversed Three of Cups urges you to restore balance: address any friendships that are strained by honesty and forgiveness, or step back from the social whirlwind if you need some personal downtime.

Three Possibilities

The secrets of this card for heart, mind and soul.

Love: A joyful celebration of love, friendship, and shared happiness. This card signals weddings, engagements, reunions, and moments of deep connection with those who cherish you. It is a reminder that love thrives in laughter and community, and that romance is sweeter when shared with kindred spirits.

Career: In your professional life, the Three of Cups heralds teamwork, camaraderie, and recognition for your contributions. A project flourishes through collaboration, and your efforts bear fruit in ways that are worth celebrating. Success is not just individual but communal—raise a glass to shared victories!

Spirituality: The divine feminine, sacred sisterhood, and the joyous dance of the cosmos—this card encourages celebrating the beauty of life. In gathering with others, in rituals of joy and gratitude, the spirit finds connection and renewal.