The Suit of Pentacles represents the realm of material resources, our sense of well-being, and what we work toward in the world. This suit speaks to our sense of financial and emotional security and the behaviors, mindsets, and systems that support our growth. As one of the four suits of the tarot deck’s Minor Arcana, its function is to describe how we use our energy in the material world, unlike the Major Arcana which reflects spiritual lessons to be integrated.
An abundance of Pentacles cards in a tarot reading is indicative of a focus on one’s work in the world and the ways that you relate to matters of security, stability, or the fear of change and loss. The Pentacles cards describe our outer realities and a concern with building things of value that can be passed down to the next generation.
The Pentacles suit is connected to the element of earth and to the desire to build value slowly over time. These cards represent the ways that our mindset and behavior patterns can serve to empower us through dedication and hard work or stunt us through distraction and fear. Through the development of the suit, the Pentacles illustrate the ways we can learn to maintain persistence and belief in ourselves amidst setbacks and disappointments.
Suit of Pentacles: Key Attributes
The key attributes of the Pentacles cards include dedication, focused effort, patience, ambition, and stability.
Positive traits: The positive qualities associated with the Pentacles cards are the development of inner resolve, grit, dedication to larger causes or goals, the ability to channel one’s focus toward building value in the world, the cultivation of self-worth and self-belief, and the feeling of being securely rooted in the world.
Negative traits: The negative qualities associated with the Pentacles cards are difficulty managing one’s time and energy, a scarcity mindset, a lack of self-worth or self-trust, holding too tightly to one’s material possessions, giving up amidst setbacks, and impatience.
Correspondences: The Pentacles are connected to the earth astrological signs of the Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, which are associated with earthly pleasures, practical matters, and a desire to build value in the world.
Suit of Pentacles Tarot Card Meanings
The tarot Suit of Pentacles includes nine numbered cards (Ace to 9) and four court cards. Within the Suit of Pentacles, each card has a specific meaning, which is outlined below.
Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles upright symbolizes a new opportunity for abundance and growth and a mindset of receptivity and ease around attracting the material support that helps to sustain your life. The Ace of Pentacles reversed may indicate that you are doubting your ability to rise to the occasion.
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Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles upright describes a feeling of flux and the sense that the circumstances of your life are shifting around you, requiring you to be adaptable and surrender to the flow of life. The Two of Pentacles reversed can indicate feeling overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities.
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Three of Pentacles
The upright Three of Pentacles represents a process of collaboration and teamwork that’s undertaken in order to accomplish a greater goal. The Three of Pentacles reversed suggests that there’s a misalignment or a sense of disharmony in your collaborations due to miscommunications or misalignment of goals.
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Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles upright suggests that you take a cautious approach to handling your material security and that you guard your resources closely. The Four of Pentacles reversed may indicate that your instinct to establish your security has gone into overdrive, causing you to make decisions out of greed or a scarcity mindset.
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Five of Pentacles
The Five of Pentacles upright can indicate a feeling of struggle around not having the resources you need to support your life, either emotionally or materially. The reversed Five of Pentacles can indicate that you are emerging from a period of hardship, financial struggle, or health challenges.
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Six of Pentacles
The Six of Pentacles upright can indicate that you’ve achieved a level of financial security and stability and are now in a position where you can give to others. The Six of Pentacles reversed suggests that there’s an imbalance of time, energy, or money between you and another.
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Seven of Pentacles
The upright Seven of Pentacles can suggest that you’re investing a significant amount of time, energy, or money into a long-term project and are wondering if you will see a return on your investment. The reversed Seven of Pentacles can indicate that you’re feeling frustrated with your lack of progress.
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Eight of Pentacles
The Eight of Pentacles upright suggests that you’re developing your skills to become a master of your field through focused effort, dedication, and hard work. The Eight of Pentacles reversed suggests that you’ve become so focused on the details that you’ve lost sight of the bigger picture.
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Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles upright suggests that you’ve worked hard to achieve stability and success, and you can now enjoy the fruits of your labors. The Nine of Pentacles reversed suggests that you’re speeding through life and bypassing opportunities for enjoyment, pleasure, rest, and gratitude.
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Ten of Pentacles
The Ten of Pentacles upright represents ideas becoming manifest in the real world and that what once existed as a hope, a concept, a vision, or a desire is taking form in tangible ways. The Ten of Pentacles reversed can suggest that you feel disconnected from your larger purpose or sense of direction.
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Page of Pentacles
The Page of Pentacles upright symbolizes new opportunities that draw on your talents and skills and can bring material success down the line. The Page of Pentacles reversed can symbolize a feeling of apprehension about pursuing a new path out of a fear of failure or of not getting it right.
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Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles upright represents a slow and steady process of growth that requires patience, persistence, and dedication to taking the small steps that contribute to a larger purpose. The reversed Knight of Pentacles may signify impatience with a long-term project or feeling worn down by tedious work.
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Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles upright symbolizes an ability to channel your energy toward relationships, projects, business ventures, and personal goals that thrive under your attention and dedicated care. The reversed Queen of Pentacles suggests an imbalance of energy which may reflect a disconnection from your physical body or the natural world.
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King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles upright signifies the successful realization of a dream, idea, or desire after a period of long and hard work. The reversed King of Pentacles can symbolize an imbalance of energy in the realm of material matters or rigidity in your approach to realizing your goals.
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