After we’ve realized the abundance of the Universe and managed to balance our resources so that we have extra to flow back and forth, the next phase is for us to extend upward and grow what we have.  How, though, does that happen?  Is it enough to realize it in a passive manner, as we did with the Ace?  Or do we maintain the balance of the status quo, achieving neither too much forward nor allowing ourselves to slip too far back?

Actually, the clue lies in the shape formed by the three pentacles on the card.  Together, they form an upright triangle, symbol of Fire and the primary masculine element (for those wondering, Water is the primary feminine element).  Building upon abundance is not a passive task.  It is one accomplished through Will and Action, two traits that Fire is known to represent.

In the middle of the triangle formed by the pentacles is an equal armed cross surrounded by a circle.  To me, this points out the balance that was achieved in the Two of Pentacles lies at the heart of progress in building the success of the Three.  The vertical axis of the cross being matters spiritual and the horizontal axis being matters earthly, the two are bound about by a circle that denotes a completion.  As it is a circle that surrounds them, it is implied that the spiritual and the earthly are equal in importance and equal in power.

The three pentacles adorn the arch of what one would presume to be a church or other place of spiritual gathering/learning.  There are three figures in the card, and it is not hard to make the jump that each person corresponds with one of the pentacles.  But which one belongs with which?  It’s pretty obvious if you draw the parallels between the people and the pentacles.  In the triangle, one of the pentacles is raised higher than the other two.  Likewise, one of the people in the picture — in this case, the stonemason himself — stands raised on a bench above the architect and the monk.  Obviously the stonemason occupies the point place.  But why?  Why is he “raised up” and given the place of honor?

Because he is the reason that the pentacles are made manifest in the physical world.  The monk might envison it.  The architect might plan it in detail.  However, without the skill and effort of  the stonemason, nothing is ever physically achieved in the real world.

This is an important lesson about growing things that are part of the physical sphere of existence.  Vision and planning are good companions and fine helpers, but without labor and skill, all the vision and planning in the world will come to nothing.  If you want to grow the things in your life that are governed by the Earth element, it will take practical application and work on your part to make this happen.  That is true of your money, your health, your home, your retirement funds… you can’t just think and plan.  You must do.

What this card also demonstrates is that all parts of you are necessary in order to provide the foundation for the laborer in you to do the work.  You must have the spiritual vision to visualize the task and the end result.  This part of you must convey it to the mental planner and organizer part of you that will reason out how to accomplish the task and what vital things need to be considered before beginning and during the project.  Only then can you labor in security, knowing that your efforts are not wasted and that the end result will satisfy you on all levels… not just the physical.

When united and working together, these different parts of you can contribute to a work of skill and art that is beautiful and yet provides structure and support (as the pentacles in the card support and strengthen the archway even as they adorn it).  In the end, if what you create is not both beautiful and supportive, is it good?  What have you seen in Nature that does not play its part in the whole of the system and do so intricately and beautifully?  Very little, I would wager.

Lessons of the Three: Action must be taken to grow anything on the earth sphere level, the “doer” holds the highest place as the mind and spirit are impotent without the action to manifest the vision and plan, growth can be measured by actual physical creation of something and progress made, growth of earth sphere goals should fill both pleasure and purpose, providing support.

Read about the Four of Pentacles…

Photo of Three of Pentacles card, art by Pamela Colman Smith under direction of A.E. Waite, originally published by the Rider Company, 1909.