Compare 3 of Wands with 7 of Pentacles

[Chariot]

 

Here are two cards with very similar meanings.  It's always fun to explore card differences, though.  I see both cards as 'waiting for earned results' but I think there is a difference between them.  (If there wasn't, why have two cards?)

The 3 of Wands is in a dynamic suit—Wands—which usually deals with positive energy, exciting new ideas, and fearlessly taking action.  So I'd say this person depicted on this card is expecting results to come in—possibly from a distance— and is probably quite excited about their arrival.  He is standing on the shore, looking eagerly for the ship to arrive (or to wave it off on its journey) and has been proactive and decisive getting the venture underway. 

The 7 of Pentacles is in a more passive suit— Pentacles.  This suit usually relates to diligent application of mundane effort, staying in tune with the slow cycles of nature, not rushing things, and remaining patient for results to appear close to home.  So I tend to see this chappie as waiting for what he's been working for to finally emerge, but these results won't be coming quickly—or from afar.  He is more patient and less excited than the person in the 3 of Wands.  When the results come, the 7 of Pentacles he will calmly move on to the next step ...harvest.

So, in a nutshell, I see the 3 of Wands as being dynamic and excited, while the 7 of Pentacles is being calm and patient.  Both upright cards imply success with the venture.  It's just that the energy surrounding the expectation of success is different.

I'd love to hear other forum members' take on this!

[Chariot]

Here's another take on the issue ...from Poppy Palin's The Everyday Enchantment Tarot.

In this example, the 3 of Wands is definitely showing action and dynamism—the person leading the expedition is about to reach the summit and seems excited about getting that result.  This person isn't so much awaiting results as driving for them.

The 7 of Coins is definitely awaiting results. She's done what she needed to do which probably took a lot of time—she's made the crafts, set everything up for sale ...and now she just waits for some customers. She seems very calm and relaxed.

Edited August 25, 2024 by Chariot

[DanielJUK]

Really interesting comparison thread @Chariot, you made me think about it 🙂 

 

I think there is also a numerological / order of the cards perspective of this as well. The 3 cards are an initial fulfilment, it's not the final outcome which would be the 10's in the order of the minors but after the initial idea of the Ace and the action, plans and choices of the 2's, we are at the 3. So the Three of wands is the beginning of success of something manifesting. Dynamic energy is invested and you can start to see early results. It is the "ships coming in card", they can see them from a distance, but they haven't arrived at the port yet. We know from the 3 until the 10, there is changes, chaos and obstacles to come but there is an early positive sign. They can see the ships and they are safe from the storms and pirates(?) in the protection of the bay.

 

The 7 of Pentacles is different, a person planted a seed, watered and looked after it and now it has produced fruit. The man (or woman depending on the card) has put hard work into cultivating it. This 7 is near completion but it's not quite there and so further patience is needed. Like the profits are nearly ready to harvest but not quite there. There has always been great debate in the tarot community about his expression (and in the poppy palin card). Are they tired and exhausted from the work and taking a contemplative moment? Is this whimsical? or is this sadness? For me the expression is sadness, it's not ready yet and they are impatient! So there is a melancholy in this card for me, despite positive signs of a windfall or rewards to come.

 

Waite included a negative angle of both cards as well, I know we normally see them as quite positive but it adds to the more rounded vision of them. With the 3 of Wands, he states "The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side towards yours with a view to help you". This matches the collaboration / cooperation type meanings of the other 3 cards. The man might look confident as his rewards and investments come in but he is new to this and doesn't have experience. He might not know how you unload your goods from the ships and store them securely and so perhaps they need experienced advice and mentorship for success. They can't do this by themselves, there isn't the experience.

 

With the 7 of Pentacles, Waite said "These are exceedingly contradictory; in the main, it is a card of money, business, barter; but one reading gives altercation, quarrels". I'm showing my teenage years here but to quote the successful song by the Notorious B.I.G in the 90's, "mo' money, mo' problems". Money and profits can solve many problems but also bring a lot of new problems as well. Like quarrels and falling out with people you know and you can't trust. Also opening a business or a shop, might bring profits if it becomes successful but you might never get a day off. A young man opened a shop in my local high street some years ago and it sells vegan cinnamon buns in different varieties. It seems so oddly specific but he has made it really successful, using social media for promotion. He moved to a larger unit and then recently refurbished that unit and it doing well but really has little time off as he is always there. I wonder also about the stress, rent increases, dealing with taxes and bureaucracy, surviving through the pandemic. Back to the card, I wonder if there is a fear of failure and or of disappointment coming. Like will they get all the treasures here? I watched a video deep dive on social media of this card from someone and they said there are little pests or parasites in the greenery, the wiggling things (or are they branches? who knows). So is he looking at his hard work under threat? Another idea there, I am not sure if I agree with it or not. Will it be a successful harvest of treasures in the end, or will they all be eaten / stolen?

This card does make me feel sad for some reason, or more accurately melancholy, there is an impatience and frustration, it's not quite there! Also maybe an anxiety, what next?

 

Anyway the tl;dr is that they are at different stages of manifestation, the 3 near the beginning and the 7 near the end 🙂