Pentacles symbolise the element of earth.
Pentacles represent magical and spiritual understanding, and being rooted and connected with nature.
On a mundane level, they represent the natural world, stability, money, possessions, work, commerce, and routine activities.
Pentacles, like Cups, while representing yang (dense) elements, indicate yin (passive) situations.
Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles represents the magic of nature and a rooted harmony with the Earth, bringing wealth, security, and a joyful life.
As with the other three aces, (Wands, Cups, and Swords), the symbol is a gift from above (the hand emerging from a cloud). This gift is given in a garden sheltered from the wilderness. The magic inherent in the natural world and life on Earth gives us the raw materials to create our civilisation, a safe and comfortable environment for ourselves.
The mountains through the gateway symbolize greater knowledge available to us when we are ready to leave the garden in search of deeper truth.
Reversed: wealth corrupts, and material gifts are abused, bringing selfishness, extreme competition, mistrust, or over-dependence on security and comforts. Or, on a deeper level, the protection of the garden is lost, and we are forced to stand on our own feet, or to leave the familiar behind and travel through the gate to the mountains
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The Ace of Pentacles represents the magic of nature and a rooted harmony with the Earth, bringing wealth, security, and a joyful life.As with the other three aces, (Wands, Cups, and Swords), the symbol is a gift from above (the hand emerging from a cloud). This gift is given in a garden sheltered from the wilderness. The magic inherent in the natural world and life on Earth gives us the raw materials to create our civilisation, a safe and comfortable environment for ourselves.
The mountains through the gateway symbolize greater knowledge available to us when we are ready to leave the garden in search of deeper truth.
Reversed: wealth corrupts, and material gifts are abused, bringing selfishness, extreme competition, mistrust, or over-dependence on security and comforts. Or, on a deeper level, the protection of the garden is lost, and we are forced to stand on our own feet, or to leave the familiar behind and travel through the gate to the mountains
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Two of Pentacles
Juggling. Precarious balance.
As with the Two of Swords, a precarious balance is struck. But here the balance is a happier one - the moving balance of the juggler. Although the sea is rough, he is open-eyed and almost enjoying his task. The symbol of eternity (as seen over the heads of The Magician, and the woman in Strength, indicating spiritual power) suggests that he is keeping a natural and lasting balance. He has things under control even though superficial appearances might suggest otherwise.
Reversed: the balance is forced or simulated and will not last.
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Juggling. Precarious balance. As with the Two of Swords, a precarious balance is struck. But here the balance is a happier one - the moving balance of the juggler. Although the sea is rough, he is open-eyed and almost enjoying his task. The symbol of eternity (as seen over the heads of The Magician, and the woman in Strength, indicating spiritual power) suggests that he is keeping a natural and lasting balance. He has things under control even though superficial appearances might suggest otherwise.
Reversed: the balance is forced or simulated and will not last.
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Three of Pentacles
Mastery of work. Spiritual development.
The sculptor is master of his craft (air).
The monk represents spiritual understanding (water).
The architect represents creative energy and desire (fire).
The arches point heavenwards.
The pentacles form an upward pointing fire triangle. ....(more)
Mastery of work. Spiritual development.The sculptor is master of his craft (air).
The monk represents spiritual understanding (water).
The architect represents creative energy and desire (fire).
The arches point heavenwards.
The pentacles form an upward pointing fire triangle. ....(more)
Four of Pentacles
Holding fast.
He is a miser, clinging on to his possessions, focused only on materiality.
He is alone and excludes others from sharing his wealth: he has shut himself off from the world.
His selfishness may produce some value: in a situation of chaos, he can be seen as creating structure and stability, either through material things or by turning his emotional and mental energy inwards. Sometimes it is appropriate and helpful to "pull ourselves together". His action can be interpreted on a deep level as attempting to give structure and meaning to the chaos of the material universe. ....(more)
Holding fast.He is a miser, clinging on to his possessions, focused only on materiality.
He is alone and excludes others from sharing his wealth: he has shut himself off from the world.
His selfishness may produce some value: in a situation of chaos, he can be seen as creating structure and stability, either through material things or by turning his emotional and mental energy inwards. Sometimes it is appropriate and helpful to "pull ourselves together". His action can be interpreted on a deep level as attempting to give structure and meaning to the chaos of the material universe. ....(more)
Five of Pentacles
Hardship, destitution, which may be self-perpetuating.
The fives all illustrate conflict or loss of some kind. For Pentacles this means material troubles such as poverty or illness or work problems.
The people, although bent and crippled, and shivering in the winter weather, are surviving their bad situation. Their hardship may be long term. Perhaps it keeps them together. Perhaps they have become attached to their hardship and fear change.
They pass in front of a church, with lit window, representing warmth and sanctuary, rest and relief from the storm. But they do not notice it. They are accustomed to their struggle and no longer notice opportunities to escape it. Their reluctance to change can make them resist an obvious end to their problems. In this case they are proud and independent to the point of foolishness. ....(more)
Hardship, destitution, which may be self-perpetuating.The fives all illustrate conflict or loss of some kind. For Pentacles this means material troubles such as poverty or illness or work problems.
The people, although bent and crippled, and shivering in the winter weather, are surviving their bad situation. Their hardship may be long term. Perhaps it keeps them together. Perhaps they have become attached to their hardship and fear change.
They pass in front of a church, with lit window, representing warmth and sanctuary, rest and relief from the storm. But they do not notice it. They are accustomed to their struggle and no longer notice opportunities to escape it. Their reluctance to change can make them resist an obvious end to their problems. In this case they are proud and independent to the point of foolishness. ....(more)
Six of Pentacles
Charity. Giving what can be afforded.
He distributes material help in a measured way, using his scales. He is in a dominant position over the two supplicants. He gives from a position of superiority. The recipients are happy to be dominated so long as they get what they need.
The relationship, of one dominant over two, is similar to that seen in various Major Arcana cards, such as The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, The Devil. In all of these some force holds together, or reconciles, the opposites of life. But here, nothing is truly reconciled, although the situation maintains and perpetuates a balance.
The giver is generous, but the balanced scales indicate that he is measured and not spontaneous in his giving. He measures out what he thinks he can afford. In other words he gives what he will not miss. ....(more)
Charity. Giving what can be afforded.He distributes material help in a measured way, using his scales. He is in a dominant position over the two supplicants. He gives from a position of superiority. The recipients are happy to be dominated so long as they get what they need.
The relationship, of one dominant over two, is similar to that seen in various Major Arcana cards, such as The Hierophant, The Lovers, The Chariot, The Devil. In all of these some force holds together, or reconciles, the opposites of life. But here, nothing is truly reconciled, although the situation maintains and perpetuates a balance.
The giver is generous, but the balanced scales indicate that he is measured and not spontaneous in his giving. He measures out what he thinks he can afford. In other words he gives what he will not miss. ....(more)
Seven of Pentacles
Accomplishment.
Meaningful work brings more than material benefit - it also produces personal growth.
He looks back with satisfaction on something accomplished. Whatever he has built up can now stand up by itself - he can step back from it without it collapsing.
Reversed: dissatisfaction from work - there may be no meaningful work available - we may feel trapped in an unsatisfying project or job or other commitment.
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Accomplishment.Meaningful work brings more than material benefit - it also produces personal growth.
He looks back with satisfaction on something accomplished. Whatever he has built up can now stand up by itself - he can step back from it without it collapsing.
Reversed: dissatisfaction from work - there may be no meaningful work available - we may feel trapped in an unsatisfying project or job or other commitment.
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Eight of Pentacles
Work, apprenticeship, application.
The apprentice is lost in his task: he enjoys what he does and works well. His work will succeed because he cares about the work itself and not just the end result.
In the distance down a yellow road stands a city, symbolising that his work serves the community and therefore has broader meaning beyond self-satisfaction.
Compare this to the Three of Pentacles, which shows mastery of work - here the focus is on attitude and application rather than its end-results. ....(more)
Work, apprenticeship, application.The apprentice is lost in his task: he enjoys what he does and works well. His work will succeed because he cares about the work itself and not just the end result.
In the distance down a yellow road stands a city, symbolising that his work serves the community and therefore has broader meaning beyond self-satisfaction.
Compare this to the Three of Pentacles, which shows mastery of work - here the focus is on attitude and application rather than its end-results. ....(more)
Nine of Pentacles
Abundance appreciated. Prosperity attained justly through self sacrifice.
She has achieved worldly success and satisfaction through moulding her life from the materials and circumstances she has been given. The pentacles growing on the bushes signify a life that is productive and alive. Unlike the figures in the Ten of Pentacles, she is keenly aware of the good things in her life. She knows that she has done well. She has self-awareness and is able to distinguish what matters in life.
She is alone in her garden, indicating self reliance, and a certain loneliness in pursuit of her goals - she may have had to give up a relationship to get here. She may have sacrificed companionship, spontaneity, recklessness, wandering. The sacrifice does not seem too great to her, as she appreciates the rewards of self development: she has connected with the hidden magic that lies behind material manifestation.
The bird symbolises soaring imagination contained through discipline (the hood). H ....(more)
Abundance appreciated. Prosperity attained justly through self sacrifice.She has achieved worldly success and satisfaction through moulding her life from the materials and circumstances she has been given. The pentacles growing on the bushes signify a life that is productive and alive. Unlike the figures in the Ten of Pentacles, she is keenly aware of the good things in her life. She knows that she has done well. She has self-awareness and is able to distinguish what matters in life.
She is alone in her garden, indicating self reliance, and a certain loneliness in pursuit of her goals - she may have had to give up a relationship to get here. She may have sacrificed companionship, spontaneity, recklessness, wandering. The sacrifice does not seem too great to her, as she appreciates the rewards of self development: she has connected with the hidden magic that lies behind material manifestation.
The bird symbolises soaring imagination contained through discipline (the hood). H ....(more)
Ten of Pentacles
Prosperity, and the magic of life, taken for granted.
On the surface, an established home, the good life, a secure and comfortable position in the world - a domestic scene similar to that in the Ten of Cups. However, while that family celebrated life, here they do not notice the magic all around them. They seem to take their comfort for granted, and find the security boring or stifling. While the family in Ten of Cups communicate with each other, here the man and woman face in opposite ways, though the woman glances anxiously over her shoulder at the man. The child clings to the mother but looks away. None of them notice the old man outside the arch.
Although the card depicts mundane family life, it is also full of magical symbols. The ten pentacles form the Kabbalistic tree of life (which appears nowhere else in the Tarot). A magic wand rests against the arch (no other minor card contains one). There is a relief of balanced scales on the arch, symbolising justic ....(more)
Prosperity, and the magic of life, taken for granted.On the surface, an established home, the good life, a secure and comfortable position in the world - a domestic scene similar to that in the Ten of Cups. However, while that family celebrated life, here they do not notice the magic all around them. They seem to take their comfort for granted, and find the security boring or stifling. While the family in Ten of Cups communicate with each other, here the man and woman face in opposite ways, though the woman glances anxiously over her shoulder at the man. The child clings to the mother but looks away. None of them notice the old man outside the arch.
Although the card depicts mundane family life, it is also full of magical symbols. The ten pentacles form the Kabbalistic tree of life (which appears nowhere else in the Tarot). A magic wand rests against the arch (no other minor card contains one). There is a relief of balanced scales on the arch, symbolising justic ....(more)
Page of Pentacles
He is an earnest student, deeply involved in his work, fascinated by it. He cares more for the work itself than for any rewards or social position that may arise from it.
He looks intently at his pentacle (in direct contrast to the Knight), holding it lightly in the air. Where the Knight is a worker, the Page is a student, lost in his studies, with little concern for anything else.
The practicality of earth comes through in his application: he symbolises study and scholarship, the work of a student, as compared to the inspiration associated with the Page of Cups.
Reversed: without his sense of hard work he gives way to wildness and dissipation. Alternatively the reversal may simply indicate relaxation after a tough examination or task.
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He is an earnest student, deeply involved in his work, fascinated by it. He cares more for the work itself than for any rewards or social position that may arise from it.He looks intently at his pentacle (in direct contrast to the Knight), holding it lightly in the air. Where the Knight is a worker, the Page is a student, lost in his studies, with little concern for anything else.
The practicality of earth comes through in his application: he symbolises study and scholarship, the work of a student, as compared to the inspiration associated with the Page of Cups.
Reversed: without his sense of hard work he gives way to wildness and dissipation. Alternatively the reversal may simply indicate relaxation after a tough examination or task.
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Knight of Pentacles
He is responsible, hardworking, and uncomplaining. His earthy practicality suits the knightly role of action, but he lacks the adventurous attitude normally associated with knights.
His horse stands firmly on the ground, and he sits upright and static: he is deeply rooted in the outer world, and in simplicity.
Though he holds a pentacle, he does not look at it, but stares over it: he has lost sight of the source and meaning of his strength in life. In dedicating himself to purely practical matters he has cut himself off from the deeper aspects of earth.
Reversed: his steadiness slows down to become inertia. His plodding responsibility becomes idleness. His mild personality becomes weak and depressed. Alternatively he may have awakened to the underlying magic of the natural world that he is so grounded in.
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He is responsible, hardworking, and uncomplaining. His earthy practicality suits the knightly role of action, but he lacks the adventurous attitude normally associated with knights. His horse stands firmly on the ground, and he sits upright and static: he is deeply rooted in the outer world, and in simplicity.
Though he holds a pentacle, he does not look at it, but stares over it: he has lost sight of the source and meaning of his strength in life. In dedicating himself to purely practical matters he has cut himself off from the deeper aspects of earth.
Reversed: his steadiness slows down to become inertia. His plodding responsibility becomes idleness. His mild personality becomes weak and depressed. Alternatively he may have awakened to the underlying magic of the natural world that he is so grounded in.
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Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents love for nature, and unity with the World. She is the Worldly representative of the "Mother Nature" qualities of The Empress, and has the self-awareness that the Major Arcana archetypes lack. She knows herself, and believes in herself, and in the magic of her life.
While the King sits by his castle, the Queen's throne is in open countryside, framed by roses: she is undisturbed by the material responsibilities of the King. While the King simply glances at his Pentacle, the Queen holds hers in both hands, intensely aware of the magic in nature and the strength she derives from it.
The rabbit in the lower right corner indicates sexual fertility. She is spiritually at one with the natural world, and allows the hidden forces of nature to flow through her into her daily life.
Reversed: there is a psychic weakness, or she has lost her vital connection with nature and as a result no longer trusts herse
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The Queen of Pentacles represents love for nature, and unity with the World. She is the Worldly representative of the "Mother Nature" qualities of The Empress, and has the self-awareness that the Major Arcana archetypes lack. She knows herself, and believes in herself, and in the magic of her life. While the King sits by his castle, the Queen's throne is in open countryside, framed by roses: she is undisturbed by the material responsibilities of the King. While the King simply glances at his Pentacle, the Queen holds hers in both hands, intensely aware of the magic in nature and the strength she derives from it.
The rabbit in the lower right corner indicates sexual fertility. She is spiritually at one with the natural world, and allows the hidden forces of nature to flow through her into her daily life.
Reversed: there is a psychic weakness, or she has lost her vital connection with nature and as a result no longer trusts herse
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King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles is successful in material life. The earthly qualities of Pentacles are in harmony with the social responsibilities of being king.
He sits casually on his throne, looking fondly at his pentacle, which represents his capabilities and achievements. He is relaxed and satisfied with his life, enjoying the role of king (unlike the King of Wands and the King of Cups who are frustrated with their responsibilities). He is generous, courageous, and capable, but not adventurous.
He is close to nature. His castle, which represents his dominant place in society, is in the background, while he sits in his garden, with flowers on his crown. His robe is decorated with grapes, symbolising the sweetness of life, and this robe seems to merge with the leaves and flowers on the ground, indicating his oneness with the realms of nature.
Reversed: success is replaced by failure or mediocrity. His vital connection with nature may b
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The King of Pentacles is successful in material life. The earthly qualities of Pentacles are in harmony with the social responsibilities of being king.He sits casually on his throne, looking fondly at his pentacle, which represents his capabilities and achievements. He is relaxed and satisfied with his life, enjoying the role of king (unlike the King of Wands and the King of Cups who are frustrated with their responsibilities). He is generous, courageous, and capable, but not adventurous.
He is close to nature. His castle, which represents his dominant place in society, is in the background, while he sits in his garden, with flowers on his crown. His robe is decorated with grapes, symbolising the sweetness of life, and this robe seems to merge with the leaves and flowers on the ground, indicating his oneness with the realms of nature.
Reversed: success is replaced by failure or mediocrity. His vital connection with nature may b
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