According to The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by A.E. Waite, Three of Pentacles is described as the following:
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.
Divinatory Meanings: Métier, trade, skilled labour; usually, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory. Reversed: Mediocrity, in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.
The reversed Three of Pentacles is today's tarot card. It suggests that there may be some sort of conflict or tension in a group setting. Maybe someone isn't taking credit for their mistake, or they're trying to take all the credit for something they didn't do.
Although this card does indicate that some people are butting heads, it's not necessarily because one of them did wrong to the other. The conflict is more like a battle of the egos. Either one or both parties involved are being childish and maybe having an issue with having too much pride to admit when wrong or to make amends.
Is someone trying to take all the credit for your hard work?
The reversed Three of Pentacles is indicating a feud going on. It may be an instance where someone may be plagiarising another by taking the work and presenting it as their own. They are trying to get praised for work they did not do. It may not be quite as literal as this example; however, it is somewhat metaphorical.
Do you understand and know the nature of this situation?
What's going on in your life where you can compare these situations, and which side are you standing on?
Or are you the one stealing credit and escaping accountability?
Are you trying to use someone's hard work for your benefit? Or is it the other way around, and someone is doing it to you?
The reversed Three of Pentacles provokes a vast number of questions, coming from all different angles. It wants you to look at the bigger picture, even if that means temporarily removing yourself from it so you can truly understand both sides.
Take a moment to really think about it and try to understand where the person on the other end of the argument is coming from. If you know you aren't being immature or may even be slightly in the wrong, then maybe it's just best to walk away from the situation/person for a while to let things settle and cool off.
This card tests you to be the bigger person. Yes, they may be more in the wrong than yourself. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn’t handle the situation with grace. If you choose to be the bigger person, you will feel so much better because you will be able to see things from a bigger perspective and potentially avoid regrettable actions.
How to properly handle tense situations
The answer to this question truly depends on which end of things you stand on.
If you're the one trying to take credit for someone else's work just to impress others or receive some undeserved praise, stop and think about it. Ponder on it for as long as you need to before you regain your moral compass.
The reversed Three of Pentacles wants you to think about how silly the whole situation is. It also wants you to think about how potentially hurtful it could be for the person whose work your stealing. It's best to come clean and apologize sincerely. There's always room for redemption.
Suppose you're on the other side of the situation, and you're the one who has someone taking credit for the work you've done. In that case, you must personally assess the situation.
If it’s someone you know, and they're just using your work for some quick praise, you can civilly confront them. However, this person may react childishly and may begin to lash out. If that starts to happen, the reversed Three of Pentacles tells you to just up and leave that person and that situation. Remember to be the bigger person.
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