The Threes: Finding Scope in Opportunity
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Here is another riff on the topic of “opportunity” as expressed in the cards of the tarot.
The Threes of the tarot have long been associated with the concepts of advancement and growth, but a parallel principle is that of opportunity, the premise being that any such development — while it may be entirely organic — should not be arbitrary but will ideally have an objective in sight. I’ve been reading Vincent Pitisci’s first book, The Genius of the Tarot* and encountered the one-word definition “Scope” for the 3 of Wands. This immediately brought to mind the recollection that, in Pythagorean number theory, Three represents the triangle and therefore the first appearance of the “Plane” as a lateral extrapolation of the “Line” (which has no width) into two-dimensional space; this figure is arrived at by adding a third point to the plot at a random distance off the axis and connecting the dots; this maverick locus is the outlier that brings expanded vision. The scope of the Line is linear, that of the Plane is multi-directional and thus represents a step away from binary give-and-take.
The third angle that caps the tri-cornered polygon can represent “turning the corner” on what was previously assumed to be locked into a groove with no possibility of deflection from its singular trajectory. (If the Two suggests a back-and-forth pendulum-swing, the Three emulates the rotating action of a centrifuge with its force radiating outward and traveling the circuit.) It offers increased latitude of expression in an oblique direction although without the three-dimensional depth that would invite contemplation of one’s motives. There can be the implication of a third party (or a third option) entering from outside the matter when a Three turns up in a reading. Whether this represents a tempting opportunity or an unwelcome intrusion depends on the context of the question.
I view any Three in a spread as occasioning an opportunity for growth, even the dolorous 3 of Swords (development is not always pleasant; ask the mother of a teething infant). But I unthinkingly considered this growth to be a logical extension of the promise shown by the Two and not a sideways shift in its purview. Introducing the concept of broadened scope akin to the planar surface of a triangle departs from the “straight-and-narrow” and ventures into uncharted territory (although it is not as all-encompassing as the Circle). This can be an exhilarating experience if the subject is not too entrenched in old ways, and it can ultimately be liberating even if that is the case.
*Pitisci’s book is decidedly lightweight fare for an intermediate-to-advanced student of the tarot, and I doubt it will take a beginner very far either. While some of his observations are colorful (and occasionally witty), they are seldom memorable; by-and-large this volume reminds me of the old Miller Lite beer slogan: “Tastes great, less filling!” Or perhaps the Wendy’s advertising pitch is better: “Where’s the beef?”
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on July 8, 2023.
