What does the Five of Pentacles card mean in a Tarot Reading?
The Five of Pentacles is a reflection of the two poles of life – wealth and poverty.
This card is considered good for love affairs and bad for finances. The Minor Arcana Tarot card Five of Pentacles speaks of mutual feelings and actions dictated by the call of the heart, even to the detriment of the material side of the matter.
The Five of Pentacles is a Tarot card with a double meaning. On the one hand, it has a rather depressing meaning – everything is bad, nothing happens, it is sad and lonely. On the other hand, it gives new hope. You have enough strength, the solution is near, just raise your head. Ultimately, all setbacks and difficulties will make you stronger and more experienced.
Goal: Gaining Experience Through Crisis in Growth.
Element: Earth
Planet: Mercury, Saturn
Astrological sign: Taurus
Depiction
Two beggars make their way through the storm. They walk past the church’s stained glass window, decorated with Five Pentacles. One beggar wraps himself in a kerchief to keep warm. The second beggar walks on crutches.
(For a detailed depiction, analysis of the Symbols and all Elements of the Five of Pentacles Tarot Card, click here)
The Main Meanings of the Card In an Upright Position
Key Words and Phrases
Losses. Disappointments. Bad luck. Problems. Unemployment. A risky business. Difficulties. Lack of ownership. Omission. Feeling abandoned. Financial difficulties. Reduction of funds. Lost talents. Sadness. Uncertainty. Depression. Deprivation. Hard times. Stretch. Legal justification. Lack of faith. Failure to define spiritual values. Loneliness.
Despair. Demoralization. Cold. Feelings of abandonment. Health problems. Reassessment is needed. Money cannot buy happiness.
The main meanings of the card in an upright position
missing an opportunity;
lack of good health and well-being;
it seems to you that everything is directed against you;
uncertainty position;
subjective feeling of fear;
transition to a new field of activity, to a new stage of life;
feeling of hopelessness;
troubles;
short-term business success, but be careful;
poverty and misery;
goods can pass by;
the physical, philosophical and moral sun;
emotional and financial difficulties, anxiety;
devastation;
loss of love;
failures and difficulties in work;
financial instability, monetary losses, collapse;
illness – physical or mental;
the need to accept outside help.
Situation and Advice
You may feel as though you were left naked in the cold. Chances are, you are currently in financial difficulty and are going through difficult times. If you are all right with money, then it seems that you begin to understand that money cannot buy love. You are putting too much stress on yourself. Now is the right time to get rid of unnecessary responsibilities and other unnecessary situations in your life. This card warns that you may be wasting your talents. If your question was about work, then now you better not start a risky venture, otherwise there is a possibility of losing money. Legal problems can also lead to financial losses. Your busyness in solving practical issues distracts you from looking for a spiritual mentor and creating a comfortable environment for you. If you’ve asked about a love relationship, don’t expect it to be long-term.
Persons designated by Upright Five of Pentacles Tarot Сard
The impoverished. Lonely. Sank to the bottom and rejected by society.
The Main Meanings of the Card In a Reversed Position
Key Words and Phrases
Positive values
A turn for the better. Spiritual revival. Renewal of faith. Improving working conditions. Health recovery. An end to poverty and unemployment.
Negative values
Unemployment. Disorder of plans. Misfortune. Despair. Money problems. Extreme poverty. Severe privation.
The main meanings of the card in a reversed position
the opportunity has already been missed;
you accept the lessons of life with dignity;
diligence, perseverance;
new job;
long-term problems;
the need to face difficulties;
the need for spiritual rethinking;
recovery after prolonged difficulties;
misbehavior, disorder, confusion, chaos;
damage;
devastation, ruin;
consumption;
dishonesty, debauchery;
discord, disharmony;
material difficulties, collapse, financial crisis;
serious difficulties, health problems, wastefulness;
disorder, confusion, ruin, imprudence, dishonor.
Situation and Advice
Positive meaning
A long period of poverty and despair is coming to an end. Health will improve. Money and income problems, business difficulties will be overcome. You may be looking for a temporary job.
Negative meaning
The difficulties that this card portends in the upright position will become even greater, they will become chronic.
Persons designated by the Reversed Five of Pentacles Tarot Сard
Survivors of difficult times.
In the Spreads
The Five of Pentacles is a rather depressing Arcana. It points to a period of decline and stagnation in almost any field. This can include financial difficulties, illness, disappointment in a loved one, and problems at work. But you don’t need to be upset. All negative values of the Arcana are not critical. Rather, on the contrary, you subjectively perceive the situation worse than it really is.
The card also indicates the presence of a solution to the problem in your life. It is very close, you just need to take a number of actions to take advantage of it. The difficult period will end, and you will become stronger.
The Five of Pentacles, both in upright and reversed form, have a similar interpretation. Only some of the nuances differ.
The Five of Pentacles challenges the idea that material abundance is infinite, with only one step separating abundance from deprivation.
In an Upright Position
This is a Tarot card of those who, with an open heart, go through life, remaining true to their feelings. The Five of Pentacles puts the spiritual above material values and often means a certain loss of something, but also the acquisition of invaluable experience in return for those who are ready to see and accept this gift. Five is a symbol of change, transformation, when we go through the “turbulence zone”, which changes our life very much, but does not destroy, and simply sharpens us.
The upright position of the card indicates decline and crisis, regardless of the scope of the issue. However, this is mostly a manifestation of your emotions. In reality, everything is not so bad. You need to pull yourself together and deal with the problems.
Five of Pentacles in the spread is undesirable, because it indicates trouble. Their origins can be financial problems, probably related to unemployment, difficulties in relationships with others, difficulties with illegal actions, dissatisfaction with emotional connections, and just a lack of love. This situation inevitably leads to uncertainty and anxiety, but by giving preference to action, the querent can take adequate measures to limit these adversities.
The Tarot card Five of Pentacles suggests that short-term success in business is possible, but losses are not excluded if you do not pay due attention to business. Financial difficulties, hardships. Poverty and misery, loneliness, sudden loss.
The Five of Pentacles is a card of crisis, hardship and anxiety. This is a decline, a failure in business, when a person feels miserable, unhappy, abandoned, and sometimes really is in constrained circumstances. At the same time, the Five of Pentacles rarely portends truly serious losses, sorrows or ruin, but only indicates the uncertainty of the situation and the subjective feeling of fear of losing the ground under their feet. Such periods of decline are characteristic of any growth crisis, when a person leaves a certain sphere that has become familiar, stable, and moves into a new, still unfamiliar, and possibly dangerous.
The presence of this card foreshadows the querent a period of difficulties, primarily related to property and money. A decrease in income, a decrease in the standard of living, loss of a job or a transition to a lower position, deprivation, illness (disability), the need to save. All this, depending on the spread, can portend the Five of Pentacles of the Tarot.
However, the card also suggests that not all is lost. Problem solving is nearby – just reach out. Just as the beggar depicted on the Arcana, perhaps it is enough to knock on the church asking for help, also the querent should not reject the hand of support extended to him. To avoid losses, the Five of Pentacles urges you not to rely only on yourself. Take a look around and accept the help that is offered to you.
The card advises to leave expectations and aspirations, be attentive to what is happening and be moderate in spending and needs. It also portends vanity and troubles, attempts to equalize the financial situation and the difficulties associated with this. A feeling of instability can accompany the person throughout this entire state, which, of course, will not last forever.
This is a card of major changes in life, with which all this chaos comes. However, if we continue to act, everything will level out and the quality of life will improve. This can also be compared to a heavy workout load, after which lactic acid causes pain in the muscles, but athletes know that it is necessary to repeat the load and then the muscles will stop hurting faster and come to a more developed state. The Five of Pentacles often symbolizes this post-workout stage and says to just keep moving.
In a Reversed Position:
The reversed Five of Pentacles often indicates an even more difficult situation. But, as in the upright position, you are quite capable of mustering your strength and correcting the situation. Also, in some issues, it can symbolize the imminent end of stagnation and of the difficult period.
Appearing upside down, the Five of Pentacles seems to illuminate and concretize failures. Problems still exist in life, but their solution is already looming on the horizon.
In the reversed position, the Five of Pentacles Tarot card means that the querent must courageously resist the difficulties and blows of fate. Even when the situation gets out of your control, you should not give up. Only by struggling with the circumstances, you have every chance to win.
Also, the reversed Five of Pentacles in the spread may indicate that in the recent past, severe hardships and trials fell to your side, but now they are left behind. Positive changes await you soon: solving money problems, improving living standards, spiritual renewal, health improvement.
In any case, the Five of Pentacles speaks of a difficult, unfavorable period in the life of the querent and that this period must be courageously overcome. By falling into despair, you risk missing out on all the generous opportunities that fate will give you in order to change your life for the better.
The reversed Five of Pentacles may indicate excessive expenditure of energy, overwork. In a love relationship, it indicates a lack of harmony, in the traditional sense, shameful love or a relationship on the side.
The Five of Pentacles in a reversed position is often a sign of stagnation in affairs and processes, as well as everyday troubles. Sometimes a reversed card can signal the beginning of better times when opportunities for earnings are presented to us to improve our quality of life and overall well-being.
In the Spreads for Different situation
In an Upright Position:
In a question for a specific situation, Five of Pentacles symbolizes decline and depression. Everything collapses, it is not clear how to proceed further, it seems that nothing will help. But this is an illusion, you have enough strength to change everything, you just need to show perseverance and fortitude. If your question is whether to start any new project, it is better to wait for more favorable conditions. Now is not the best time.
In a Reversed Position:
In questions on the situation, the reverse Arcana Five of Pentacles foreshadows the imminent end of the crisis. Yes, now everything is bad, it’s hard for you, but soon the circumstances will change for the better.
In the Spreads for Relationship
In an Upright Position:
The Five of Pentacles of Tarot meaning in relationships and love does not carry bad news. It only indicates minor problems in a relationship or a difficult period. This is all easy to fix, just talk with your partner and reconsider your actions. Most often, problems arise from mistrust and jealousy.
Appearing in fortune telling in an upright position, the Five of Pentacles means a feeling of abandonment, loss, the feeling that we are not loved, that we are not needed by anyone. It can also express a sense of hopelessness, which should be perceived as the approaching phase of a turning point, when we can finally get rid of old patterns of behavior and build a qualitatively new relationship. If it serves as a harbinger of a crisis, then this crisis is an integral element of development, not a catastrophe.
In a Reversed Position:
The reversed Arcana of Five of Pentacles for love and relationships may indicate the wrong choice of a life partner. Once again, weigh and analyze everything, listen to your feelings and decide whether this is your person really. It can also warn about a betrayal of the partner. You can pull out a couple of cards above it for clarification.
In the reversed position, the Five of Pentacles indicates problems regarding the lifestyle that affects a loved one. We can talk about treason, committing which, a person does not believe that he is doing wrong, that in some way infringes or offends his partner. However, Arcana indicates that it is still possible to fix, and neutralize the consequences, if you know how to correctly approach the solution of this problem.
In the Spreads for Dates
In an Upright Position:
Your friend may be acting as a matchmaker, but you don’t realize it.
In a Reversed Position:
Intimate relationships can be difficult now, but in the end everything will be fine.
In the Spreads for Family
In an Upright Position:
At the moment, your family is cutting costs and saving on everything, but the end goal deserves it.
In a Reversed Position:
Constant arguments about money poison the atmosphere.
In the Spreads for Friendship
In an Upright Position:
Greet new friends with enthusiasm and confidence.
In a Reversed Position:
Perhaps you are indifferent to newbies or timidly stay away from them. None of these approaches are good.
In the Spreads for Money
In an Upright Position:
In finance, it can indicate unnecessary spending, a deterioration in material condition, a monetary crisis. However, there is every opportunity to rectify the situation.
In a Reversed Position:
In finance, the meaning of a reversed card is the same as that of a upright card.
In the Spreads for Education
In an Upright Position:
It’s not easy for you to learn now. Remember – help is just a stone’s throw away, because there is a teacher, but help will not come by itself. You will have to ask for it. Don’t be afraid of what’s difficult. Treat difficulties as an opportunity to learn new and useful things.
In a Reversed Position:
Step back from the edge of the abyss before it’s too late and start paying attention to your studies.
In the Spreads for Career
In an Upright Position:
Five of Pentacles in work matters can have the following meanings: conflicts, rivalry of colleagues, fear of losing a job, not good enough salary. The value of the card just for you will depend on the current situation at work.
In an upright position, the Five of Pentacles portends problems and objective difficulties that can interfere with deeds and plans, or even deprive of work. By this, the card symbolizes the danger of losing something (property, money, position), failing the exam, and generally failing in life. It also often falls out in connection with a change of job, when the usual business and guaranteed earnings are replaced by new tasks and increased risk, as, for example, when switching from service in a firm to private entrepreneurship. However, Arcana does not indicate at all the fallacy of such a step. Rather, it is a completely normal feeling of uncertainty when moving from old to new in the process of professional growth. Thus, the Five of Pentacles characterizes only a subjective feeling, and only in rare cases does it mean real failure.
In a Reversed Position:
The reverse of the Five of Pentacles of Tarot in matters of work is not too bad. It symbolizes self-digging and worries about work matters: because of the salary, lack of fulfillment, the danger of dismissal, etc.
In a reversed position, the Five of Pentacles denotes temporary stagnation in business, an overexpenditure of vital energy, attempts to close our eyes to their moral and ethical manifestations in order to solve personal problems.
In the Spreads for Health
In an Upright Position:
Strongly negative dynamics of the course of the disease or a serious deterioration in health. In rare cases, death.
Five of Pentacles of the Tarot for questions about health means worsening of the state. It can be a variety of diseases, both physical and psychological. You need to monitor your health, consult a doctor in a timely manner.
In a Reversed Position:
Five of Pentacles in the reversed form about health issues indicates bad habits: drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, promiscuous sexual relations, etc.
An incurable disease, low energy potential.
Answer to Yes / No Tarot Spreads
In an Upright Position:
No
In a Reversed Position:
No. But there is a chance to change “no” to “yes” if you work on the situation.
Self-Development Lesson
You can use your present unhappiness as an opportunity for personal growth. You may be feeling emotionally wounded or spiritually empty, but this is a turning point in your life. Whether you go forward with a more positive attitude is entirely up to you.
Type of person in an upright position:
The card means a person who is spiritually rich. He considers material possession for himself desirable, but optional. He seeks knowledge of the irrational, shows interest in the paranormal. Whatever happens in life, he believes in goodness and love to the grave.
Type of person in a reversed position:
Means a kind, cheerful person, but rather superficial. He quickly acquires acquaintances, but he does not have the patience to turn them into something long and serious. Capricious, irresponsible, can promise a lot and do nothing.
Arcana’s warning
Do not maintain your apathetic state, try to remove it as quickly as possible. Problems will only grow until you take decisive steps to remedy the situation.
Final Advice of Arcana
Don’t get depressed about the difficult period. Quarrels, small problems in the personal or work sphere are possible. These are temporary difficulties. Try to cheer yourself up and move forward with renewed vigor.
In an Upright Position:
Think about the soul before it’s too late. To learn a lesson from losses of a material nature, otherwise they will not hesitate to repeat themselves.
In a Reversed Position:
Allow yourself to relax, have fun from the heart. Morality is not something to think about now. Have fun while you are young.
Conclusion
The Five of Pentacles is a warning Tarot card. There is a small chance of business success, but a much higher likelihood of disaster. Even with a favorable spread, the Five of Pentacles suggests material hardship, loss or poverty.
The questioner is or will soon find himself in a situation where money is tight and (or) when the property or income, which he counted on, will pass by. In some cases, problems may be caused by circumstances beyond your control. In other cases, they are the result of your actions. One way or another, you need to watch your every step in order to avoid a crash.
If you got Five of Pentacles in the spread, do not be discouraged, do not panic. Difficulties are temporary and can be easily cleared by your active actions. Don’t lose confidence in yourself.
Discover other Minor Arcana:
Suit of Swords
Ace of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Page of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
Suit of Wands
Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Six of Wands
Seven of Wands
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands