Old English Tarot: 3 of Coins

In today's blog entry, Helen Howell continues her exploration of cards from the Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

Old English Tarot

3 of Coins

by Helen Howell

I really like the illustration that goes with this card. We have a large castle which sits atop a grass mound. It could represent for us a goal or security, perhaps something we aspire to. Leading down from the castle to one side is a ploughed field in which it looks like something has been planted but has not yet fruited -- it reminds me in its layout of a vineyard. This could symbolise for us the potential of abundance. The figure is checking out the progress of one of the plants.

Now this card can be interpreted the same as the Rider Waite one, generally meaning, progress, focus, more work to be done but there is a difference between this card and the more traditional image, and that is it doesn’t speak of collaboration or teamwork, but shows that the individual is responsible for the outcome. It indicates that the results lie in one’s own ability to maintain a focus and effort towards reaching their desires. Both this and the more traditional images do both indicate that great skill and a desire to perfect something exist.

I like the Old English rendition, especially as it brings home that the end result really depends on the effort that the figure is willing to put in without relying on anyone else. It shows like its more traditional brothers, that one is on the way to reaching that goal, but more has yet to be done.

So it seems to me that the one singular difference in this card’s interpretation to other traditional images is that one must rely on their own imagination and skill rather than on a group or team to get things done.

The LWB says:
Great skill, mastery, artistic ability perfection.
Reversed: mediocrity, money problems, poor quality.