Tarot Explained: What is the Suit of Pentacles?

Tarot has four suits, which make up the minor arcana.

These suits are:

• Wands
• Swords
• Cups
• Pentacles

Each of these suits relates to an element and an energy type, and these can bring meaning and understanding to the subtle forces that move through our everyday lives. These forces affect us through our environment, our relationships and the circumstances you face on a daily basis.

Usually, the influences that the minor arcana describe are fleeting, yet they are here to teach us valuable lessons and lead us into greater self-awareness.

PinWhat is the Meaning of the Suit Of Pentacles?

Quick Reference:

Element: Earth
Astrological Zodiac Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Playing Card: Diamonds
Other Names: Disks, Coins, Deniers, Stones

Associated with earth, the suit of pentacles represents the physical levels of life. These cards can be used to bring meaning to anything that’s happening in the world as an extension of you – things like your health, work, routines, and money.

These Tarot card meanings bring attention to the way we form our personal realities – what we create, build and grow, and what we attach value to. As such, they can often refer to our sense of self and the ego.

Like the element of earth, this suit brings insight around the foundations we rely on in life, and the stability we feel (or not). Earth is grounded, tactile, and supportive. It may also pertain to our personal history and ancestors.

Like the cups, the suit of pentacles is generally considered to be feminine and receptive in quality.

What Does it Mean if the Suit of Pentacles Shows up in a Tarot Reading?

When these cards appear for you in a tarot reading, they are usually describing the areas of your life including work, money, and property.

The Pentacles could also relate to manifestation and prosperity. The point is, the level of meaning they give is about physical, tangible things. So they could also indicate that a practical solution is needed to a problem you are facing. Or that you need to focus your attention on your health, or physical environment.

The astrological correspondences of this Tarot suit mean they may be referring to people who are Earth signs – Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Using strategies that are creative, practical and in-person could greatly help work through whatever the cards are describing.

Suit of Pentacles Negative Aspects

When negative traits or meanings are represented by these Tarot cards, they usually involve being over-materialistic, self-indulgent or possessive. But they could also indicate that you’re neglecting your physicality, your career or your finances.

A Super-Quick Guide to Individual Card Meanings

Ace of Pentacles

Upright: New beginning, opportunity, fresh start in work or health.
Reversed: Bad opportunity, missed opportunity, a risk not worth taking, scarecity, hard times.

Two of Pentacles

Upright: balance, splitting resources, stretching resources, flexibility.
Reversed: Overwhelm, over-commitment, imbalance, over-spending.

Three of Pentacles

Upright: Teamwork, apprenticeship, collaboration, encouragement, the sum is greater than the parts
Reversed: lack of teamwork, competition, infighting, conflict.

Four of Pentacles

Upright: Financial stability, wealth, savings, materialism, knowing your financial limitations.
Reversed: insecurity, possessiveness, greed, lack-mentality, or overspending.

Five of Pentacles

Upright: Hardship, adversity, loss, isolation, abandonment.
Reversed: Recovery, slow renewal, forgiveness, rejuvenation, healing.

Six of Pentacles

Upright: Receiving money, financial balance, generosity, sharing, giving and receiving.
Reversed: Unpaid debt, indebtedness, abuse of generosity, resentment.

Seven of Pentacles

Upright: Harvest, results, reward, hard work paying off, positive investment.
Reversed: Lack of return, wasted effort, setbacks, procrastination.

Eight of Pentacles

Upright: Effort, skill, talent, hard work, craftsmanship, dedication, accomplishment.
Reversed: Rushed work, lacking quality and thoroughness, avoidance of responsibility.

Nine of Pentacles

Upright: Security, financial freedom, efforts rewarded, independence.
Reversed: Financial strife, keeping up appearances, superficiality, living beyond means.

Ten of Pentacles

Upright: Legacy, long term plans and reward, inheritance, tradition, stability, riches, having “arrived”.
Reversed: Financial warning, faulty investment, short term gain, fleeting success, debt.

Page of Pentacles

Upright: Ambition, diligence, planning, commitment.
Reversed: Lack of focus, lack of planning, immaturity, the need for assistance.

Knight of Pentacles

Upright: Practicality, reliability, preparedness, daily responsibility, duty, trustworthiness.
Reversed: Boredom, monotony, exhaustion, irresponsibility, rash decisions.

Queen of Pentacles

Upright: Common sense, wisdom, good planning, provision, welcoming, motherly.
Reversed: Self-absorbed, selfish, disorganized, slovenly, lack of accountability.