Three of Pentacles
Masonry
“It’s the little things you do together.”
The Little Things You Do Together, Company
Three of Pentacles at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Three of Pentacles shows skilled work improving through planning, collaboration and informed feedback.
| Upright | teamwork, craftsmanship, shared expertise, recognition for skill, apprenticeship becoming practice |
|---|---|
| Reversed | poor workmanship, weak collaboration, ignored expertise, mediocrity, unclear roles |
| Linked card | Eight of Pentacles |
| Soundtrack | We Are The Champions - Remastered 2011 by Queen Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Teamwork
- Craftsmanship
- Shared expertise
- Recognition for skill
- Apprenticeship becoming practice
- Planning
- Constructive feedback
- Building properly
- Professional standards
- Contributing a distinct strength
Reversed meanings
- Poor workmanship
- Weak collaboration
- Ignored expertise
- Mediocrity
- Unclear roles
- Ego in the team
- Lack of planning
- Low standards
- Unrecognised labour
- A project built on weak communication
Three of Pentacles in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Practical support: Planning. Reversed: Ego in the team. |
| Career | Work: Constructive feedback; building properly. Warning: Lack of planning. |
| Money | Financial theme: Professional standards. Warning: Unrecognised labour. |
| Feelings | Upright: Shared expertise. Reversed: Ignored expertise. |
| Advice | Prioritise: Contributing a distinct strength. Watch for: A project built on weak communication. |
| Outcome | Potential: Apprenticeship becoming practice. Obstacle: Unclear roles. |
| Yes or no | Yes, through cooperation and competent work. |
Symbols in Three of Pentacles
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The cathedral setting | The work contributes to something larger and designed to last. |
| The raised artisan | Practical skill is visible and central rather than secondary. |
| The plans | Good work begins with shared understanding before execution. |
| The three figures | Different forms of knowledge must communicate across status and role. |
A. E. Waite's original description
A sculptor at his work in a monastery. Compare the design which illustrates the Eight of Pentacles. The apprentice or amateur therein has received his reward and is now at work in earnest.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
Métier, trade, skilled labour; usually, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory.
Reversed:
Mediocrity, in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Two of Pentacles
- Next card: Four of Pentacles
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
