3 of pentacles- no work

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 May 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Belladonna	07 May 2003
How would you describe the 3 of pentacles in the first position of the celtic cross spread for somebody who was not in the work force? (I mean the position that represents the situation of the querent) There were 3 threes in her spread, by the way. Could it possibly represent three people?

firemaiden	07 May 2003
No work? Not being in the work-force does not mean one is not working!! There are all kinds of non-work-force work! Margarete Petersen reminds us that the three represents a new beginning, a search for new experiences and possibilities. Three kinds of of search for new experiences: -physical : bodywork (yoga, breathwork, energy releasing etc.) -spiritual: ideas, thoughts, discoveries -social: reaching out to others, developing contacts. All three planes: physical, spritual, social, work in tandem to bring new experiences, new space, new soul growth. Alexandra Genetti (Wheel of Change Tarot) says when the 3 of disks is pulled, it is time to look at your dreams (for work) and see what small tasks can be accomplished to make them come true.

Thirteen	07 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Belladonna How would you describe the 3 of pentacles in the first position of the celtic cross spread for somebody who was not in the work force? 3/Pentacles doesn't mean the person IS in the work force--to the contrary, 3/Pentacles usually indicates a person LOOKING for a job or patronage. The artisan shows off his work to others hoping they will give him money so he can continue. So I'd say that 3/Pentacles presented the person's position perfectly. Not working, but is or should be looking for patronage to do what he wants to do. 3's by the way, represent a hard decision made, an investment--like leaving a job to persue a passion, but now you need someone to give you money so you can keep on doing it. Does that help?

littleneptune	07 May 2003
For me, the Three of Pentacles can represent the buyer/seller relationship, a commercial transaction of some kind. If sometimes comes up when the issue of the quality of a tangible object or skill is important. It can also represent an artist or artistic work.

Belladonna	07 May 2003
That does help a little. It's tricky- this was a cold reading, very one sided and little to go on. The situation was represented by the 3 of pents, crossed by the 3 of swords with the 3 cups rx in the immediate future. I felt strongly that the issue, or question the querent had in mind involved 3 people, one of which felt betrayed and hurt and that there may be an upsetting, emotionally charged exchange coming up in which "it would all come out". But for some reason I felt kind of blocked about the 3 of pents, blank. Do you have anything further to add? I don't think this person was looking for work.

allibee	07 May 2003
I would say that all three cards point to feelings regarding the need to be appreciated. The sword pointing to feelings of isolation and the cup to a lack of support, possibly from friends. Not knowing what the other cards are or the question makes it hard to speculate further, but I feel there is a recurring message here that stems from the 3 coins. Allison

Alex	07 May 2003
I also don't have the easiest time with the 3 of Pentacles. I got it for my week reading as "the main issue of the week" but I really don't know what the main issue of the week is, as yet. Actually I'm so happy that I taught my LAST lab today and I am not teaching again untill... until I get a job and IN CASE this job involves teaching_ but I don't think so. Alex.

Belladonna	07 May 2003
yeah, it's weird. This woman HAD no question, or at least, not one she wanted to tell me about. Interesting about your work, Alex. Something's completed and behind you, and something yet to come? I'd like to get back to the idea that it represents the QUALITY (how do you get italics?) of work or of a tangible object. How does the number 3 reflect that? What if there was no buying or selling going on here? Could it be that on a more subtle level this woman felt as though she was contributing of herself, her time, her presence and was feeling underappreciated, reflected in the 3 of swords? Thank you all for your time on this. It is invaluable to me.

Kazz	08 May 2003
Hi, I agree with allibee, although to add about the 3 pentacles, this is a card of receiving recogniton for something, whether it be a little monetary gain for selling something, or being acknowledged for something you have done. Basically just being rewarded for your efforts. Cheers Kazz :TQC

littleneptune	08 May 2003
Belladonna--according to Kaplan (I believe it is the Encyclopedia of Tarot), in the RWS deck, apparantly the pentacle suit STARTS at the 10 and works backwards to the Ace. It doesn't follow the regular system of numbering from start (Ace) to finish (10). The 3 of Pentacles shows a 'master craftsman' being recognized for his/her efforts and skills, perhaps being asked to take on 'job' of some kind. There is an emphasis on being recognized for the high quality of his/her skills. I also get it when the quality of an item (ie. the physical construction/ the skill required to make it) is an issue. There is another card for creative/energy recognition (the 6 of Wands), so I usually attach the 3 of Pentacles to a tangible material/business situation.

Thirteen	08 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by littleneptune Belladonna--according to Kaplan (I believe it is the Encyclopedia of Tarot), in the RWS deck, apparantly the pentacle suit STARTS at the 10 and works backwards to the Ace. I've never heard this. Not saying it isn't true. I'm just wondering where Kaplan got this info and if it's true (meaning, if that's what Waite says or if that's Kaplan's evaluation). And if it is true, why? Why have only the pentacle suit going from 10-down while the rest go from Ace-up?

allibee	08 May 2003
ummm, seems a bit odd to me too, not that I've read it though. If you were going backwards though a suit, surely the number would still give it away. The first four cards of a suit are supposed to represent the four sides, the square, the foundation, of the particular suit. 1 - The beginning of all things, 2 - the ace divides into positive and negative/opposites. 3 - Growth and expansion, 4 - Reason or Logic (and the completion of the square). The rest of the suit builds upon this. A.

littleneptune	08 May 2003
Hi guys. Just to clarify my information (found on another site): in Stuart Kaplan's Encyclopedia of Tarot Volume I page 272 he tells us that the RWS court cards and pips present a continuous story of a father/King, mother/Queen, son/Knight and a subservient Page. The Sword suit begins with the death of the Knight/son (10 of Swords), shows a sister mourning this death (9 of Swords), her capture and imprisonment after attempting to revenge her brother's death (8 of Swords) etc. The Pentacles suit apparantly tells the story of a wealthy family and the trials that wealth brings, following this same system of numbering.

Thirteen	08 May 2003
Quote: Originally posted by littleneptune Hi guys. Just to clarify my information (found on another site): in Stuart Kaplan's Encyclopedia of Tarot Volume I page 272 he tells us that the RWS court cards and pips present a continuous story of a father/King, mother/Queen, son/Knight and a subservient Page. The Sword suit begins with the death of the Knight/son (10 of Swords), shows a sister mourning this death (9 of Swords), her capture and imprisonment after attempting to revenge her brother's death (8 of Swords) etc. The Pentacles suit apparantly tells the story of a wealthy family and the trials that wealth brings, following this same system of numbering. So both Swords and Pentacles go backwards (sic)? What about Cups and Wands?

littleneptune	08 May 2003
I believe they ALL follow this numbering system. I don't have this book any longer, so perhaps someone else can double-check. :)

Belladonna	09 May 2003
This is fascinating and I'm not sure that it is contradictory. Can the story, illlustrated by the cards, beginning from the tens and going down also represent the traditional meaning for the card? The death of the knight, although the beginning of the story, still represents the end of an era, characterised by much suffering, and the dawning of a new era still difficult to see, yet. Thank you all on your insight about the 3 pentacles. I've gained a lot through these discussions. I hope my threads do not seem too elementary for you hard cores!

littleneptune	09 May 2003
Belladonna--I think elementary questions are extremely important. They help us to get to the 'core' of the card and research its' meanings and origins, which always brings up differing viewpoints and new information--a very healthy thing don't you think? Also, people will carry their level of knowledge to the question at hand, bringing complexity to even the most basic enquiries.

Centaur	09 May 2003
The three of pentacles perhaps refers to the end of one stage and the beginning of yet another. The man in the card has completed phase one and is now moving on to phase two. Get what I mean? C

The 3 of pentacles- no work thread was originally posted on 07 May 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.