Three of Pentacles

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Mar 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

mtp12	29 Mar 2004
Help! In my daily card reading; I'm repeatedly getting the three of pentacles. It's popped up 5 times in the past 30 days or so. It's nothing if not persistant. In reading various other interpretations on the web and in my library of books, none of the key words or phrases seem to ring correctly. Obviously there's a message for me, but it ain't comin' in. Yet, it keeps trying. When I look at it, I draw a complete blank; but if I push hard, I read something like 2 people with a map/book in a mysterious and/or sacred setting (a church, or a mausoleum) and the figure above them appears to be shining a light or calling attention to the map. Perhaps its me studying the Tarot and asking for help-which is what I'm doing now! Any and all ideas as to other interpretations of this pesky card are welcomed. Thanks Max

TemperanceAngel	29 Mar 2004
Recognition of ones work or study (may be linked to your Tarot study?) Starting to pull through new talents, skills and abilities. I think of threes as Manifestations and Pentacles in a practical, work and magical sense :) XTAX

WalesWoman	29 Mar 2004
It could be the work involved with spiritual development, that "apprenticeship" of learning Tarot, that hard work and dedication result in mastery. The three figures are the apprentice (worker) Fire, the energy and desire, the architect holding the plans (technical skill) Air, and the monk (spiritual understanding) Water, create a triangle, which is about grounding your work in reality, serving the needs of the greater community perhaps. Rachel Pollack in "Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom" says, "Practical work, done consciously and with committment, may serve as the vehicle for self-development." So it may not be what you do so much as how you do it and what you put into it, that is most important. It could also be a team effort, or having a mentor/benefactor/patron. In "The Complete Book of Tarot" by Juliette Sharman-Burke, she talks about the initial work being completed and all that is left are the finishing touches, adding the finer details. She also adds that it may mean getting approval and recognition for your achievements, some sort of material gain or success from your efforts. Is that any help or just another rehashing? You must be doing something right and haven't noticed the improvements!

mtp12	30 Mar 2004
Thank you Temperance Angel and WalesWoman for your thoughts and points of view. I will meditate on these ideas. MTP

Imagemaker	02 Apr 2004
I simply think of "craftmanship"--depending on the question and the accompanying cards, it could mean needing to pay more attention to one's craft, or finding a craftsman to help you, or a reminder to pay a fair price for good work.

Nevada	02 Apr 2004
Using creative skills to create something tangible or practical. It could have to do with working to develop a recently discovered talent or a new skill that you particularly enjoy. Nevada

Centaur	02 Apr 2004
I think that this card is a depiction of someone who is working towards establishing or building some aspect of his life. The individual looks as though he is working away quite happily, whilst the other two individuals look on, and seem to be taking notes or monitoring what he is doing. They almost appear to be consulting each other. In my opinion, this could indicate an exam situation. For instance, it could indicate a driving exam: those individuals could be construed to be judging or 'marking' how good you are at your skill. Perhaps you are attending job-interviews, or have appointments with someone to discuss financial-matters such as the taking out of a loan, etc. Or from a spiritual perspective, it could reflect contact with spirit-entities or higher-beings. It could indicate the presence of a spirit-guide in order to help one attain a specific goal or end result. Centaur

jlbvt	14 Apr 2004
Pay attention to details, and finish something you have started. Maybe there's something you started, but lost track of, or gave up on?

Chronata	14 Apr 2004
I really love this card. I have to say, it is definately my favorite card in the whole deck. It makes me smile every single time it comes up. :) During an earlier study I did of the RWS deck, I was in a guided meditation and discovered some wonderful things about this card. First, I always think of this card as something to do with the Creative Process...of starting a project that has great meaning. Doesn't have to be a pysical project...as I often think of this as a great card of learning. On a mundane level...this card often comes up for me when there is an issue about an Institution...a hospital, school or church. healing...studying...spiritual... And then...deeper...there are three" people" working on this creative process...and yet...you work alone as well. You use the three parts of yourself...your mind, your body and your spirit as you work. in this process, you find it rewards you on all planes...it makes you feel good emotionally...it has some material, financial reward...and best of all...I see it as something that is being noticed...or recorded on a higher level. ...Something that may have more significance than you realize. Something wonderful...that will be a lasting thing...a legacy...or positively touches people in some way. I have had this card come up for people who work with children, the elderly and the handicapped. I have had it come up for someone who was involved in a historical house renovation. Buyt beyond it's mundane level...there ALWAYS seems to me to be something wonderful behind and above this scene. Not always redily apparent...but always there. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts on my favorite card.

cartarum	29 Apr 2004
the three of pentacles is the show and tell card. it appears when you show or tell someone something. it is said that this card is the feeling of someone looking over your shoulder, but that happens at work. this card is one, among others that say, observe or behold! the upright or reversed nature of the card, is when someone veiws what you have to show them, then approves or dissaproves respectively. if this card is on its own, then you must draw at least three more cards to see what tarot is trying to show you.

firemaiden	19 May 2004
Chronata mentioned the working together of mind, body and spirit. I think of the three of pentacles as the card of three spheres working together. You might think of it as a cooperation between subconsious mind, conscious mind, and "higher self" or spirit guide. When all of these aspects of self are working together we can accomplish anything.

piebald	19 May 2004
I always like to pull the 3 of penticles if I'm particularly asking a question concerning my work. It has often appeared in what I consider to be an appropriate position. I see this card representing, myself, my colleague and our supervisor/line manager. I believe that it relates to the team building of our new venture with our work in support sudents in our school.

The Three of Pentacles thread was originally posted on 29 Mar 2004 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.