Hello everyone, I'm just starting out with tarot and I'm having a hard time grasping the significance of the Two of Wands and the Three of Pentacles. Words like "planning" and "looking ahead" seem to describe the Two of Wands and the Three of Wands, respectively, quite a bit.
In your opinion, what makes these two cards different? To what extent do you think they differ from one another? Would be delighted to receive your feedback!
Two of Wands, that cunning card!
Thank you for your question! It may seem like the Two and Three of Wands are very alike at first, but I see them as different parts of a journey.
This card, "Two of Wands," is all about strategies and choices. Imagine being at a fork in the road, surveying your options and deciding what to do next. You have a suggestion (from the Ace of Wands) and are now planning how to make it happen. Preparing and thinking about your choices are more important than taking action.
In contrast, the Three of Wands represents the next step after you have made up your mind. Having started something, you are now in the exciting but unsure stage of waiting for results. Finding the first signs of growth and planning for what's to come. Consider it your "ship's on the horizon" card. You've already done some work, and now you're looking forward to what comes next.
In short, the Two is getting ready, and the Three is watching what happens. Hopefully, that makes things clearer!
- Windows
The 2 of Wands is all about picking a side: stay or go? A picture of a car and surfboard is next to her as she looks out the window. The word "waiting" here means that you are almost ready to make a choice but haven't quite done so yet. However, it looks like she's moving toward going on a surfing trip.
The choice has already been made in the 3 of Wands. She took the surfboard and went on the trip. Now she's back at the beach. She wants to hit the waves, but something outside of her power is stopping her. She's waiting for the right wave, the right time to jump in. In this case, "waiting" means looking forward to something and believing that it will happen at the right time.
- Windows
A lot depends on the deck you’re using, as the artwork can shift the meanings slightly. Still, most 2s in tarot generally focus on choices and decisions.
For example:
- The 2 of Wands often symbolizes the process of choosing a direction or weighing options. It’s that moment where you’re contemplating the next move, but haven’t taken action yet.
- The 3 of Wands, especially in the RWS (Rider Waite Smith) deck, suggests progress after that choice has been made. It often means you’ve had a successful start, but there’s still work to do. It can also confirm you’re on the right path.
However, tarot interpretation isn’t just about fixed meanings. Depending on the question and the other cards in the spread, your intuition might guide you toward a different insight.
Tips for Learning:
For newbies, key terms are helpful, but buying a few good tarot books will help you learn more. Many books give you more than one way to look at each card, which helps you figure out what it means in different situations.
Check out a book that was made to go with the art-themed deck you're using. These often match the artist's goals, which may be different from what Rider Waite usually means.
Last Thoughts:
Even though the tarot is amazing, it's a complicated system with many levels of meaning. It's not something that a few terms can sum up. Take your time and follow your gut as you look around.