3 OF WATER

Decan Title: Abundance

RWS Description: There are three dancing women in a garden with their cups uplifted. Fruit and gourds lie on the ground at their feet.

RWS Symbols

Three Women: The image conjures the “suffragette pledge,” and we know Pamela was involved with the movement; she, Edy Craig, and the writer Christopher St. John all contributed time and creative abilities to the cause. The sisterhood of Smallhythe was where Pamela would convene with loved ones who shared the same ideals and values. It was a woman’s sanctuary where they could relax and be themselves without censure from the outside world. 1910 was a breakthrough time for “suffragettes; the Conciliation Bill came to Parliament, which would give the right to vote to a million women like Ellen Terry, who owned their own land and property.

Uplifted Cups: The configuration of the three supernal sephiroth.

Keywords

UPRIGHT: Merriment, Reunion, Community, Social Engagement, Abundance

REVERSE: Despair, Excess, Isolation, Gossip, Overindulgence

Interpretation: As the title “Abundance” suggests, this decan is about embracing collective spiritual growth while preserving and safeguarding intimate relationships. With Mercury in Cancer, the Manifestor and the Channeler are the majors associated with the 3 of Water. Mercury develops bonds of mutual support with friends and family, finding common ground and safe harbors by communing with others. The 3 of Water, which signifies the development of emotions, indicates a time for sharing and collective spiritual growth.

Myths: This decan is associated with myths about protection, cultivation, celebration, and plentitude. 

Correspondences

Keys: The Manifestor and The Channeler

Planet (Mercury): 5 of Earth, 10 of Earth, 8 of Fire, 6 of Air

Decanic Sequence (2-3-4 of Water): 2 of Water and 4 of Water

Sephira (Binah) – Numerical Elements: 3 of Fire, 3 of Air, 3 of Earth

Card Details

Decan Ruler (Mercury): Those with Mercury in this decan have a tender, expressive voice and the ability to speak to the subtle interplay of desires and emotional needs within others. Their speech can soothe, clarify, and nurture, offering a sense of understanding.

Sign (Cancer): While in the first decan of Cancer tender bonds of intimacy are established, in the second decan of Cancer these relations are enclosed and protected. The second decan of Cancer embodies the themes of protection, cultivation, joy and abundance. Jupiter’s degree of maximum exaltation in this decan, located at the 15th degree of Cancer. Jupiter, which governs abundance, wisdom, and joy, flourishes in a sanctuary where there are no opposing forces to diminish its influence. This decan represents preserving and safeguarding intimate relationships. 

3: Three represent development in the world of the element.

Tree of Life (Binah in Briah): The Three of Cups corresponds to Binah in Briah. In the Mental World, Binah is the development of emotions.

Sephira (Binah): All threes deal with organization through definition and delineation, and correspond to the third sephira, Binah, which is commonly referred to by Qabalists as “Understanding.” Binah is associated with the slowest, outermost traditional planet, Saturn. Saturn represents the slowing down of cosmic energy as it contracts unlimited potential into the structure of linear time and matter. The Saturn archetype structures the small “r” reality principle, limiting infinite potential so as to bring order and consistency to human life, thereby shaping the framework within which transformation can occur. 

World (Briah): All Cups correspond to the second of four worlds, the World of Briah (“The World of Creation”), which is also called the creative world. The element associated with the World of Briah is Water.

The Story of Water: The element of water, traditionally symbolized by the suit of cups in the Tarot system, exhibits an inherent connection with the domains of relationships and desires. The essence of this element is inextricably linked to the exploration and expression of emotions encompassing comfort, safety, danger, desire, delusion, contentment, love, and a myriad of other permutations that constitute the nuanced spectrum of human affective experience. The narratives and stories aligned with the water element revolve around the thematic explorations of desire, fulfillment, betrayal, disappointment, enchantment, thereby encapsulating the perpetual ebb and flow that characterizes the depths of the emotional experience in all its complexities.

Time of Year: July 1/2 – July 11/12

Zodiacal Longitude: 10°00’–19°59’ Cancer

Color (Hex Code): #3B3B3B