Three of Cups

Meaning: Groups coming together to focus on a common emotional goal. (Wikipedia)

Depiction: The three harpooneers Tashtego, Daggoo and Queequeg drinking a measure of grog out of the "goblet end" of their harpoon barbs, as an oath to kill Moby Dick.

Text: Chapter 36 - The Quarter-Deck

Silently obeying the order, the three harpooneers now stood with the detached iron part of their harpoons, some three feet long, held, barbs up, before him.

“Stab me not with that keen steel! Cant them; cant them over! know ye not the goblet end? Turn up the socket! So, so; now, ye cup-bearers, advance. The irons! take them; hold them while I fill!” Forthwith, slowly going from one officer to the other, he brimmed the harpoon sockets with the fiery waters from the pewter.

“Now, three to three, ye stand. Commend the murderous chalices! Bestow them, ye who are now made parties to this indissoluble league. Ha! Starbuck! but the deed is done! Yon ratifying sun now waits to sit upon it. Drink, ye harpooneers! drink and swear, ye men that man the deathful whaleboat’s bow—Death to Moby Dick! God hunt us all, if we do not hunt Moby Dick to his death!” The long, barbed steel goblets were lifted; and to cries and maledictions against the white whale, the spirits were simultaneously quaffed down with a hiss.

Comments:  Another scene that goes so  wonderfully well with this card meaning. As described in the book, the three harpooneers are flanked by the three mates and ringed by the other sailors; Ahab is near them pouring their drinks. However, this card will show only the three harpooneers for the sake of clarity, though it can show the anonymous backs of other sailors facing them.