Tarot was a popular card game in Europe, centuries before the deck became known for divination and cartomancy. The colorful symbolism of the cards were not widely used for fortune telling until the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The Tarot reflects a rich European tradition of folk art and symbolism.
It is also referenced in T.S. Eliot's The Wasteland, as a thin, mysterious ray of hope in a bleak world.
The Three of Wands card shows a man on a cliff. He gazes over the sea to distant mountains. It is symbolic of perspective, creative imagination, and new ventures. The card also represents leaving security to explore new horizons.
Three of Wands is the visual image I see, when I look forward, thoughtfully.
