THREE OF PENTACLES, LORD OF MATERIAL WORKS

   Your ally, a master mason, chisels the finishing touches on a column in a church. His apron is yellow, associated with Air, symbolizing the use of mental energy. Other allies, a monk and an architect, consult with the master, suggesting that the best work combines spiritual understanding with technical skill. The design contains pentagrams and equal-armed crosses, both of which evoke the harmony of the elements, but they also suggest the process of manifestation. In the design, three pentagrams are within an upward pointing triangle, symbol of the element of Fire, and a flower is within a downward pointing triangle, symbol of the element of Water. The hint of a line across the upward triangle also suggests the element of Air, and the edifice itself symbolizes the element of Earth. Like the Magician in Trump II, your allies together bring energy down through the planes of manifestation. First feeling inspiration, the spiritual impulse of Fire, they then build the designs in the imagination, associated with Water. Then they use technical knowledge, associated with Air to refine the design, and then manifest the designs in form, associated with Earth. In Trump II, the mental and spiritual energies of the Magician are emphasized. In the Three of Pentacles, the master labors within the material plane, influenced by Mars in Capricorn as well as Saturn, meaning that the energy is earthed (Capricorn) and restricted in form (Saturn). Feeling the influence of Mars, he carves away whatever is not essential. The same process applies to any creative work. Care in the act of creation reveals an understanding of the significance of the spiritual principles represented by the symbols. Because they have internalized the forces, your allies can give them definite, appropriate form, providing necessary links for maintaining community.

CORRESPONDING COLOR: Gray flecked pink.

Reversed: lack of teamwork or collaboration; bad planning; unable to realize vision