Minor Arcana · Cups
Three of Cups
friendship · community · shared joy
What Three of Cups means
A feeling held in common is not one feeling multiplied. Some part of each person’s share is made of the others having it, so what circulates is reflexive and cannot be traced back to a source: nobody present began it and everybody present is keeping it going. Company differs from proximity on exactly this point, and the difference has little to do with how much anyone is enjoying themselves. It also sets the terms the Three works under. Something held jointly answers to more than one account of itself, and no member of the group has the standing to say what it was.
Upright
Connection grows through ordinary moments of celebration and support. Reach toward the people with whom you can share both enjoyment and honest experience.
Reversed
A social role may be leaving little room for your real feelings. Choose company that allows authenticity, and check whether the circle has space for everyone.
A question to sit with
Who helps me feel welcome as I actually am?
Traditional attribution
Mercury in Cancer. Attributions follow the Golden Dawn with Waite's numbering.