The Suit of Pentacles

The Suit of Pentacles focuses on the element earth: namely money, our bodies, and physical possessions. All of these cards can signify aspects of business, but also other practical endeavors where money is not involved. Remember that money is a medium of exchange, which means that, at its core, it is energy. I like to say that the element of earth is the furtherest manifested form of energy.

Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles represents new energy manifesting in tangible terms. It can indicate a new opportunities or a new job, a new source of income or a lump sum of money coming your way.

In general terms, the Ace indicates that your physical experience or environment is changing, being refreshed or upgraded. Whatever situation or circumstance this refers to, it is an improvement over what you had been experiencing.

Two of Pentacles

The Two of Pentacles, like other twos, highlights balance. Often it means you are juggling two (or more) situations, which requires some amount of energy and skill. Maybe you are weighing two options or paths. Perhaps you are struggling to meet the needs of different aspects of your life (your career versus your relationship, for example).

I almost always pull two additional cards on top of this one to get a better idea of what each side represents.

While are you able to continue to keep both coins in the air, you might feel pressure to choose one over the other at some point down the line.

Three of Pentacles

At the Three of Pentacles, your skills are readily evident, to you and others. You have what is needed to get the job done…successfully.

Typically, at the Three, you are aware of your talents and perhaps actively promoting yourself or applying for a job or a gig. If you are not feeling confident, this card is here to remind you that you do have the skills required. You don’t have to accept what is offered, but you do have the ability to achieve success.

Don’t be shy about your skills. Don’t sell yourself short. Now is a good time to stand up and let yourself be seen—via your work, your creativity, and your talents.

Four of Pentacles

The Four of Pentacles indicates a time period after something has been accomplished. Having gained, you now have something to lose. We call this card the miser. The man pictured is possessively clutching his coins to protect his wealth.

The stability of four has become stale, the energy stagnated. Although success has been achieved, do not rest on your laurels. Do not let the fear of loss dominate your deciding. Fear can create greed; hoarding can prevent flow. The same wall that protect also imprison.

Reconnect to that which brought you success in the first place. Seek new inspiration. You might need to spend some money before you can make or receive more money. Money only has value when it is spent.

Five of Pentacles

The Five of Pentacles is the most challenging card in this suit. It is when you feel like you are on the outside looking in. Perhaps you feel excluded in some way. Maybe you were passed up for that promotion. Maybe you lost a client or two.

This card could also indicate infirmity: being ill, not feeling great, an injury, or something else that impedes your ability to function as well as you used to.

The Five could indicate financial loss or hard times. More mildly, it could just mean a pause or reduction of income for a time.

Whatever struggle is indicated here, it might be a good time to seek assistance. For example, if you are feeling off, nurture your health and/or visit an energy worker or healer. It is probably not a time to take financial risks.

Six of Pentacles

The Six of Pentacles highlights giving and receiving.

Often, the Six represents a transaction: buying or selling, money for goods or services; bartering, swapping, exchanges of any kind. Quite often, money exchanges hands when this card presents itself. You might be the buyer or the seller, hiring others, or making money for your goods and services.

The Six can represent gifts given or received. You might appear to be the one giving or the one receiving. If you tune in to the higher perspective, you will see that you are both giving and receiving simultaneously.

If there is a large purchase being considered (e.g. a car, a home, or a business), this card usually indicates it will transpire successfully.

As mentioned at the top of this page, money is a form of energy. It is supposed to move around. Everybody wins in that case.

Check in with yourself and see if you are blocking your flow with either giving or receiving. Giving feels good. When someone is genuine in their offer to help you, both of you will benefit from the exchange. We feel abundant when spending money or giving things away. We also feel blessed when receiving from others.

Seven of Pentacles

In short, the Seven of Pentacles is symbolized by the planting of seeds. It could thus represent investment. Money spent now can pay off later. You might need to focus some energy into an endeavor that will not bear fruit right away.

There is a wonderfully wise statement I once heard: don’t shy away from starting projects that will take a long time; the time will pass regardless.

The Seven can also speak of gestation: the time it takes for something to develop or mature. During this time, we must nurture our progeny. It is wise to fertilize the soil, to keep our seeds and plants well watered, and to weed regularly. Focus and attention are creative…this is a part of the creative process.

At some point, everything that we create can take on a life of its own, be it a business, a project, a product, or our very offspring. Until then, we must feed, rear, and care for these things. In other words, you not only need to plant the seeds, you need to tend to them for a period of time before you can reap the rewards. Do not expect results too quickly, but don’t give up on them either.

In actuality, we are always planting new seeds while simultaneously feasting off of the fruits of past labors. The money we spend today, we earned in the past. The money we make today will be spent in the future.

Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles is synergistic: the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. It can represent a business partnership—two or more people working together. Each brings something to the table.

Often, it represents apprenticeship. In this partnership, one is more experienced than the other. In actuality, both are gaining from the experience.

It is a good time to work with others, to hire an assistant or accept an offer. Your foundation is solid enough to build upon. It is also a good time to start a creative project.

Nine of Pentacles

The two words I often associate with the Nine of Pentacles are abundance and luxury. The physical experience indicated is luscious. Treat yourself to something lavish. Get a pedicure or a massage. Buy something nice. Dine at a fine establishment.

You have earned all that you now have. Enjoy your wealth. Do not hide your achievement. Be an inspiration to others.

Ten of Pentacles

At the Ten of Pentacles, you have everything you need and more.

At the Nine, we are luxuriating in some way. At the Ten, the wealth is spread around more evenly. All aspects of life in physical terms are doing well. The Nine can be a short-lived peak experience. The Ten represents something more all-encompassing and longer lasting.

It can also indicate a situation where everyone involved benefits, where teamwork achieves great things.

The Court of Pentacles

Do not rely too heavily on the gender of the archetype. These cards can represent anyone.

King of Pentacles

The King of Pentacles is most likely to show up as a leader: a manager, a boss, or the executive of a company. He is ambition and experienced—in business, with money, or in practical matters. This man is quite capable and handy (fixing or building things). If he is entrepreneurial, I would not expect him to be a lone wolf…at least not for long. He may start up his own company, but would expand and hire employees as soon as he could.

If this card indeed represents someone in your life, but none of the above apply, then he might simply be a mentor, a father-figure, or a big brother type. He is stable and seemingly modest. His ease and subtle confidence is reassuring. He might be a quiet man who’s presences is nevertheless noticed and appreciated. You might seek his company just because it feels safe and reassuring to be around him.

This card, of course, could be highlighting any of the above qualities in you.

Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of Pentacles can be, what some would call, an earth mamma. She’d probably choose to be modest in her appearance, but that will only emphasizes her natural beauty.

This Queen has a deep love, respect, and appreciation for earth and nature. She loves animals and growing flowers, fruits and vegetables, and/or herbs. She is very likely to be an intuitive cook, throwing tasty dishes together with ease.

The Queen will nurture those she loves by making sure they are comfortable, well fed, and never hungry. She is easy going and slow to anger.

Although she is capable enough to be completely independent, most who emulate this Queen are not likely to live alone.

This card can be reminding you of these qualities that you possess. She could also appear to recommend that you connect with nature and focus on the abundance that this earth offers all of us. She could be telling you to simplify your life…at least for the short term.

Knight of Pentacles

The Knight of Pentacles is likely to represent a man who creates with his hands. He is interested in how things work and might be inclined toward engineering. He is less likely to have his face in a book and more likely to be toying around in the workshop. He might be self-taught, and what we would call a tactile learner, figuring things out as he goes along.

The Knight is a dependable colleague and an asset to any team. He possesses some of the King’s ambition and passion, yet is easy going like the Queen. He is easy to get along with, and works well with others. His work ethic is better than most.

As a significant other, he is a reliable mate. You can count on him. His emotions are generally even-keeled, but he is not stoic. His expression will be consistent the majority of the time, though he will get animated now and again. Pay attention to what he does rather than what he says.

Page of Pentacles

The Page of Pentacles is often shown holding up a coin for all to see. This represents the youthful excitement that comes with the first signs of accomplishment.

As with all pages, the Page of Pentacles is still learning; he is still figuring out what he is capable of doing, even at this stage of his life.

If this Page is a person in your life, give him room to learn on hos own. Let his try, even if it means he’ll stumble or make mistakes at first. There is no better learning than through doing.

When representing you, this card highlights the early stages of a project or learning curve, but well enough into it to start seeing results. At this phase, you want to continue to pace yourself as there is plenty more to do. By primarily adhering to the a slow and steady rhythm, you maintain your endurance and are not likely to give up too easily. The reward for your patience is patience.