Three of Cups and Four of Cups tarot card combinations

Cards combination description

Low arcan Three of Cups and low arcan Four of Cups combination - (party pooper) boring event or one you don’t enjoy and didn’t wish to attend, a let down, party loses its fizz

Card 1 - Three of Cups

When you draw the Three of Cups, you will see three women lifting their cups up in the air in a celebration of some sort. Good times are in the air, for the three ladies have wreaths made of flowers in their hair. Wreaths are often associated with success and victory, so their happiness is well deserved. The ladies are also seen standing on top of a field of flowers and fruit, further adding to the joyful feelings in this card. There are feelings of beauty, growth, compassion and happiness that the women share between each other. An interesting note though, in the Rider-Waite the woman in the middle is turned away from the reader and her face hidden from view. However, the two other maidens are seen smiling.

Associations:

Similar or supporting cards:
The Sun (happiness) Wheel of Fortune (good fortune)

Opposing or contradictory cards:
Five of Cups (sadness, let down) Five of Wands (everyone at odds) Four of Cups (apathy) Nine of Swords (worry)

Three of Cups combinations
Mainly, look for the Three of Cups following other cards to see the reason for what is being celebrated, such as: job, money, house, award, etc. Particularly found surrounded and with other cards representing weddings – in the run-up to my daughter’s wedding all of those cards regularly appeared in her readings together, so they tend to leave little doubt when marriage is on the cards!

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Card 2 - Four of Cups

The Four of Cups displays a young man sitting under a tree on a mountaintop, far from others. He seems to be in contemplation and meditation. In front of him are three cups laying on the grass while another cup is being offered to him by a hand in the air. The man has crossed his hand and legs, and he is looking down at the three cups, unimpressed, such that he cannot see the cup being presented to him by the stretched arm. The Four of Cups represents our tendency to take for granted the things that we have, making it hard for us to see what treasures the universe presents us with. We tend to have the answers to our troubles right around us, but we tend to focus too much on what we do not have.

Associations:

Similar or supporting cards:
The Hermit and Four of Swords (withdrawal) Hanging Man (life in limbo)

Opposing or contradictory cards:
The Star (hope) The Sun (happiness and contentment) Three of Cups (joyful) Ace of Wands (excitement and passion for something new)

Four of Cups combinations
In a simple line or following other cards it can show dissatisfaction with the card that precedes it and tends to dampen the mood - something to watch for if it follows positive cards, often meaning something isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. However, if positive cards follow it can represent a breakthrough. If all other indications are good with lovely cards surrounding it can sometimes warn of not appreciating fortunate circumstances.

Full card's description