Associated with the element of Earth and the aspect of the physical body, the suit of pentacles in the Tarot holds a number of grounded cards that explore stability, patience, and resources.
With this suit, we dig into physical space, health, career, finances, legacy, success, family, home, tradition, and community.
There is real joy in this suit, a sense of being deeply present and satisfied, the ways that we connect to the world that we inhabit and feel comfortable in our own skin. We often think of this as a suit of wealth, but the concept of resources is much broader than we often make it, including money as well as time, energy, access, privilege, space, comfort, support, and creativity.
The Basics of Pentacles
The suit of pentacles is one of four suits in the Minor Arcana and includes numbered cards that go from ace to ten as well as four court cards. These cards are connected to the astrological element of Earth, meaning that this suit is also linked to the three Earth zodiac signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Each of the four Minor Arcana suits is associated with an aspect of our humanity.
Pentacles represent the body, while cups represent the heart, while swords represent the mind, and wands represent the soul. Pentacles help us understand our physical needs, the ways that we feel safe and supported, and the pleasure and sorrow that we experience when we don’t have certain necessities.
In addition to Earth and the body, the suit of pentacles also represents the tangible, the tactile, experiences and possessions, and goals.
Just like the astrological element of Earth, with pentacles, we explore ego and commitment, security and material gain, the ways that we present ourselves, and the things that we pursue for the sake of comfort, satisfaction, and establishing a legacy.
Often considered the slowest-moving element, Earth taps into responsibility, and patience and reminds us to remain grounded, intentional, and focused. It can speak of either small details or the big picture but often asks us to remain calm, pay attention, and move with purpose.
As we move through the suit of pentacles, we plant a new seed of intention, nurture and care for it, struggle with illness or a sensation of lack, honor the growth we see, consider the path that we’re on, and find deep satisfaction in the life and legacy that we have created.
When working with cards in the suit of pentacles, consider the ways that you are investing in yourself, the ways that you give yourself the resources that you need to thrive and grow.
- How do you nurture yourself?
- Where are you being called to be grounded, present, or take responsibility?
- How do you decide where to put your energy and resources?
- Which tools or objects help you tap into this kind of Earth energy?
- What does your body need to feel healthy, comfortable, and safe?
- What kind of physical life do you lead, and where might you need to make adjustments to honor your own unique needs and desires?
The pips (or numbered cards) in the suit of pentacles show us several ways to explore and understand this energy–from making long-term plans to being willing to adapt when things don’t go our way.
These cards can help us care for ourselves in necessary and authentic ways, putting ourselves first and showing genuine compassion. The court cards, on the other hand, represent individuals who are learning how to utilize the energy of the pentacles best.Â
The page is a child and student, someone who is just beginning their journey with curiosity and methodical movement; the knight is an adolescent, eager to prove their desire for success with actions; the queen is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element internally; the king is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element externally.
These cards can represent the querent, a person in the querent’s life, or can offer advice on how to harness the energy of the suit of pentacles for themselves.
The Suit of Pentacles: Tarot Card Descriptions
Below, I offer some simple interpretations of each of the fourteen cards in the suit of pentacles. You can combine these with your own research or intuitive ideas to develop a personal, powerful understanding of each of these cards, but this will give you a place to begin.
Ace of Pentacles
Ace of Pentacles: An intentional beginning, the full potential of the suit of pentacles. An invitation to growth, an opportunity for expansion, a deliberate choice that will involve consistent effort. A tangible goal.
2 of Pentacles
2 of Pentacles: Balancing new dreams with old responsibilities, juggling multiple tasks and ideas, learning to delegate and prioritize. Choosing where to spend our resources, and being focused on all that we are accomplishing.
You might want to brush up on: A Tarot Spread to Understand Your Stalker Card
3 of Pentacles
3 of Pentacles: Expanding assets, visible growth, beginning to see progress in a tangible way. Teammates, coworkers, and trusted companions can offer advice, resources, or assistance. Bringing other people or energies into our work.
4 of Pentacles
4 of Pentacles: Establishing foundations for our work, creating a structure that we can follow. Getting caught up in managing resources to the point that we get stuck in a scarcity mindset, afraid to use what we have. Being overly protective of our finances, ideas, or energies.
5 of Pentacles
5 of Pentacles: Grief, illness, feeling a lack of something necessary. Refusing help or support, isolating the self, not knowing how to get all that we need to heal and recover. A real but temporary struggle, a setback or obstacle that knocks us off course.
6 of Pentacles
6 of Pentacles: Giving and receiving resources, reconnecting with our communities, feeling supported and cared for. Offering what we can to those in need, taking what we require from those who are generous. Reciprocity. Seeing growth and progress.
7 of Pentacles
7 of Pentacles: Celebration and assessment. Paying attention to how far we have come, see if we are still on track to meet our goals. Making adjustments as needed, shifting priorities, and looking at the bigger picture. Checking in with the self, monitoring resources.
8 of Pentacles
8 of Pentacles: Dedicated work, focused effort, craftsmanship. Skilled labor, attention to detail, improving our abilities and talents with practice and intention. Slow manifestation.
9 of Pentacles
9 of Pentacles: Satisfaction, fulfillment, a sense of pride, and joy in the work we have done. Independence, safety, comfort, pleasure. Enjoying the fruits of our labors. Recognizing how far we have come, celebrating with those we love.
10 of Pentacles
10 of Pentacles: Legacy, community care, firm foundations. Stability, safety, connection. Success, in whatever form you have been striving for—a sense of personal empowerment, the knowledge that we have more than enough.
Page of Pentacles
Page of Pentacles: A child of earth, bringing news of a new financial opportunity, physical challenge, or something necessary and practical. A willingness to learn and expand, to ask questions, to grow slowly and thoughtfully.
Knight of Pentacles
Knight of Pentacles: An adolescent of earth known for dedication, focus, responsibility, and patience. Methodical movement, proving a point, focusing on details. A tendency for stubbornness, an unwillingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
Queen of Pentacles
Queen of Pentacles: A ruler of earth that elegantly balances work, play, power, and pleasure. Someone deeply present who enjoys luxury and refinement as well as achieving goals. A firm but gentle teacher, someone who brings abundance, joy, and security.
King of Pentacles
King of Pentacles: A ruler of the earth with a powerful sense of responsibility and generosity, someone who establishes traditions as well as necessary structures for growth and community building. Success, stability, someone who leads with confidence and kindness.
Take On a New Perspective With Pentacles
The suit of pentacles is easy to associate simply with financial and material wealth – but expanding your definitions of what resources can be will give you a whole new perspective on these cards of earth.
What resources do you most frequently have access to, and which ones constantly feel out of reach? How do you define ideas of legacy, success, and stability? What does the journey through the suit of pentacles mean to you?
This post features cards from the Vindur Deck.
Related article: 4 Beginner Tarot Practices to Level Up Your Readings
