Five of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning
The Five of Pentacles is a card of hardship, abandonment, and loss. There is a message of pain and suffering associated with this step on the Pentacle path. If it shows up in your reading, take it as a warning and re-evaluate your situation. Consider what is most important in your life and what can be put on hold or let go of completely.
- Element: Earth
- Planet: Mercury
- Astrological sign: Taurus
- Key dates: April 21st – April 30th
VISUAL ELEMENTS AND SYMBOLISM
It is a brutally cold and snowy night depicted in the Rider-Waite Five of Pentacles artwork. Two people push themselves against the strong winds, one behind the other. The person bringing up the rear appears injured; their head and foot are bandaged and they use crutches to assist their gait. The person leading looks to be clothed in rags with no shoes on their feet. Above them is a stained-glass window with the five pentacles depicted in the design.
THE FIVE OF PENTACLES AS A PERSON
The Five of Pentacles as a person has suffered great losses on their journey to find themselves. They feel as though they take two steps back with every step forward they make. Luck is not always on their side, but they have persevered through all of life’s hardships. Unfortunately, this has led them to become jaded, and their mindset usually leans towards pessimism.
One of the best words to describe the Five of Pentacles person is stubborn. Asking for help is a difficult thing for this type of person. They feel as though they have to ‘go it alone,’ and asking for help is just as challenging as the misfortunes they face. It’s even possible that they don’t know where to turn for help, and they let their burdens accumulate.
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Upright
THE FIVE OF PENTACLES UPRIGHT
The Five of Pentacles card represents loss, either physically, spiritually, or financially. It can also pertain to insecurity in your relationship or with your health. ‘Hardship’ is the keyword when this card shows up in a reading.
When appearing upright, not all is lost. If you seek help during these difficult times, you will find it, but you need to make sure you are not the one keeping yourself in this dark place. Clear through your cloud of anxiety, and you will find a way out.
LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
You are feeling isolated and abandoned right now, no matter what your relationship status is. If you’re single, you are losing hope of ever finding that special someone. Maybe you think you are not worthy of affection and adoration. You need to dig deep inside yourself to find that you are worth loving because you are.
If you are in a relationship, you might feel ignored by your partner. You may even feel insecure, as though this partnership will fall apart any minute. It’s time to have a conversation to see what’s going on underneath the surface. You may find your partner is just as scared as you are, and you can work together to make it through.
If you’ve experienced a recent break-up, it came out of the blue and left you feeling confused and alone. Now is not the time to rush into anything new. You need to take this time alone to allow yourself to grieve.
CAREER
If you haven’t lost your job already, you might be heading toward a layoff in the future. Either way, there is a lack of stability in your career right now. Your confidence in your abilities is wavering, and you’re worried about the next step.
If you did lose your job, understand that this situation is not permanent. If you could find yourself employment before, you can do it again. If you haven’t lost your job yet, there is still time to change your path. See if there is any more you can bring to the table. If you know your value to your career choice, looking for a new job might be worth exploring.
MONEY
Money is a difficult subject for you right now. Even through your financial intelligence, hard work, and good choices, you still can’t seem to find your financial footing. You’re at risk of bankruptcy, homelessness, or other difficult financial woes. Be as frugal as you can right now. If you can weather out this storm, you will find stability once it blows over.
HEALTH
Expect poor health in the upcoming months, either your own or a loved one. It may cause you a lot of stress and pain, but that will only exasperate the issue. If you can keep hope alive while fighting through this illness or injury, the ache will be minimized.
Reversed
THE FIVE OF PENTACLES REVERSED
You have been experiencing misfortune for so long, you feel as if there is no way out. The Five of Pentacles reversed is telling you that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You will come out to the other side with a sense of relief. You can look forward to more balance in the near future.
LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Your relationship has been in trouble for a long time, but a solution is coming soon. Just be aware that it may not be the outcome you were looking for. You will either be released from the binds of a toxic situation, or you will find common ground with your partner to improve the situation.
If you are single, the Five of Pentacles reversed is saying that you have let your insecurities hold you back for too long. You’re now ready to face those insecurities head-on in order to release them. Once you do, you will find a renewed optimism for love.
CAREER
You may have experienced a loss pertaining to your career recently that has left you anxious about the future. Understand that this loss was a blessing in disguise. You have been freed from an even worse situation, and there will be better opportunities for you to take now that you’re not tied down. Seek help from someone else – such as a mentor or past co-worker – to leap closer towards your destiny.
MONEY
You are not in the dire straights that you believe yourself to be in. You are understandably not able to see the bigger picture when all you see is an empty bank account, but it is there. This may be a good time to re-evaluate your finances. What can you cut back on? How can you invest more in your future? Maybe it’s even time to find a new, more successful source of income. The opportunities will come, just have patience.
HEALTH
A resolution to an ongoing health issue is in sight. It may or may not mean a full recovery, but you will at least get more of an understanding of what has been ailing you. A long road still lies ahead for you, but at least there is more clarity in your situation. Make sure to stay true to your care plan; that is the part of recovery you can control.
Spreads
YOUR PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Your past has been plagued by disappointment when the Five of Pentacles is in the past position of your reading. The grief still weighs heavy on your mind and your heart to this day. This has caused a cloud of despair to follow you wherever you go. It’s time to clear out all that negative energy before you end up missing out on opportunities to improve your situation.
In the present position, the Five of Pentacles tells of loss that you have experienced or that you will experience soon. You are feeling doubtful about whether or not you can find the strength to make it through this loss, or if you will find yourself buried under the weight of all this heartache. Do not be afraid to ask for help during this time. Be assured that there are people out there that have the resources to help you through this trying time.
In the future position, you are going to let your apprehension get the best of you. Know that you can change your path with the actions you take in the current moment. Reach out to a friend or family member who can give you the reassurance you need. It’s okay to ask for advice or adulation during this time. You need it to carry yourself into the future.
IMPORTANT CARD COMBINATIONS
As a minor arcana card, the Five of Pentacles supports the message of any major arcana cards that show up in your reading. It warns of challenges you may face through the journey of the situation at hand.
FIVE OF PENTACLES AND THE TOWER
The Tower card signifies instability and extreme change, like the foundation of a house crumbling. Paired with the Five of Pentacles, you are being told that your confidence is being tested, and it might not be able to withstand the opposition. Now is the time to swallow your pride and ask for help to make it through.
FIVE OF PENTACLES AND JUSTICE
You are at a great impasse in your life, and it is time to make a choice. This choice will dictate your fate for the foreseeable future. You are understandably apprehensive about making this decision, afraid of the consequences of making the wrong choice. Change your perspective, and think about what would happen if the correct choice is made. You might find that the positives outweigh the negatives.
FIVE OF PENTACLES AND EMPEROR
There is a power struggle at hand, and you feel as though you are on the losing end. Just remember, although the Emperor has very dominant energy, his weaknesses are his pride and his stubbornness. He is looking for a fight, and your grace and humility can frustrate him into trepidation. Though there is a fine line between humility and defenselessness, you have the inner strength to use it to your advantage.
FIVE OF PENTACLES: YES OR NO QUESTIONS
The Five of Pentacles is a card of loss. It indicates hardships, grief, and general bad luck. With such a pessimistic energy associated with this card, your answer would be “no.”