By Katrina Rasbold
Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations for the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck revolutionized tarot interpretation, embedding each card with rich visual symbolism that speaks to intuition as much as intellect. Among these, the Three of Wands stands out as a quietly powerful card—one that speaks of foresight, personal growth, and the broadening of horizons.
Let’s take a closer look at the card and unpack its layered meaning, symbolism, and spiritual resonance.
The Visual Scene
At first glance, the Three of Wands is deceptively simple:
- A solitary figure stands on a cliffside, gazing out over a vast body of water.
- Three tall wands are planted firmly in the ground around them—two behind and one the figure holds lightly with one hand.
- Ships are visible on the water, some seemingly coming in, others sailing away.
- The landscape is expansive, with rolling hills and an open sky.
Yet, as with all of Smith’s tarot artwork, every element here is symbolic and speaks volumes.
Symbolism in Detail
The Figure on the Cliff
The lone figure wears a cloak of rich colors, often seen as red or orange, signifying action, vitality, and confidence. Their back is to the viewer, which invites us not into their journey, but into our own. This pose speaks to anticipation—of looking outward, forward, and beyond what is immediately visible.
Their stance is calm and steady. This is not the anxious waiting of the Two of Wands; it’s the composed gaze of someone who has already taken a step toward a goal and is now watching the first results unfold.
The Three Wands
Wands, the suit of fire, are associated with inspiration, energy, and ambition. Here, they represent:
- The past (behind the figure) – foundations already laid, ideas already formed.
- The present (the wand in hand) – active engagement with one’s goals.
- The future (symbolized by the vista) – the as-yet-unknown consequences and rewards.
The three wands echo the energy of growth—moving from planning (Two of Wands) to action and expansion (Three).
The Ships
The ships on the water are particularly potent symbols. Are they coming or going? The ambiguity is intentional and reflects the fluidity of enterprise. They may be returning with the fruits of the figure’s labor, or they may be newly launched ventures, filled with hope and risk.
In a broader sense, the ships symbolize commerce, movement, and the opening up of opportunities beyond the familiar. This aligns with the card’s themes of travel, trade, and venturing into new territory—physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
The Landscape and Sky
The open space suggests infinite possibilities. There are no storm clouds, no turbulence—just calm waters and a vast, welcoming world. This is a card of optimism and possibility, tempered by preparation and earned wisdom.
Core Interpretations
Upright Meaning
When drawn upright, the Three of Wands speaks of:
- Progress and expansion – You’ve taken the first steps, and momentum is building. “Your ship is coming in.”
- Foresight and long-term vision – You’re not acting on impulse, but with a strategic eye toward future rewards.
- Confidence and readiness – This card shows inner alignment with one’s goals. You’re grounded, yet reaching outward.
- Travel or external growth – Literally or metaphorically, this can indicate venturing beyond your comfort zone.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, the energy of the card becomes blocked or frustrated:
- Delays in plans – The ships may be stuck in harbor or lost at sea.
- Narrow vision or fear of the unknown – A reluctance to take the next step, or clinging to the familiar.
- Lack of preparation or alignment – A mismatch between ambition and execution.
In both positions, the card asks for a reality check: Where are you going? What have you already built? Are you truly ready for what’s next?
Spiritual and Psychological Resonance
On a deeper level, the Three of Wands invites us to embrace the liminal space between action and result. It honors the courage it takes to envision a future that doesn’t yet exist—and to prepare ourselves for its arrival.
It’s also a card of empowerment. The figure stands alone not in isolation, but in sovereignty. They are the architect of their destiny, both grounded and visionary.
In psychological terms, the card may symbolize a stage of individuation—when the self becomes aware of its own power to influence the world, not through control, but through intention and conscious movement.
Pamela Colman Smith’s Three of Wands is a quietly commanding card, rich in symbolism and forward momentum. It tells us that what we send out into the world—our energy, our intentions, our work—does not vanish. It moves, it circles, it returns. But the first step is always ours to take.
Whether you’re a reader, a seeker, or simply someone at a crossroads, the Three of Wands offers a gentle but firm nudge: Look ahead. The horizon is wider than you think.
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Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.