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Tarot Card Meanings:
Five of Pentacles

Five of Pentacles: Overview and Symbols

The Five of Pentacles signifies a period of financial hardship, material scarcity, or personal struggle.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot

  • A crippled man and a sickly-looking woman walk in the snow outside a church. Their posture and physical state symbolize their lack of resources, as well as their vulnerability. The fact that they are outside in the snow also gives us a feeling that they’ve been left out of the rest of society.
  • The illuminated church window looks warm, and bright in the dreary winter setting. It symbolizes hope, solace, and the possibility of help or spiritual support during difficult times. However, the two figures in the foreground are often so focused on their hardships that they fail to see this source of assistance.
  • The cold, snowy setting represents the harshness of the situation and the isolation the figures are experiencing. It emphasizes the idea that they are going through a challenging and lonely period.
The Five of Pentacles from the Rider Waite Smith Tarot
The Ten of Cups as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

Five of Pentacles: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Financial hardship, scarcity, struggle, isolation, need for help, vulnerability

The Five of Pentacles depicts a period of financial or personal struggle, which may be related to unemployment, financial setbacks, or a struggle to meet basic needs.  But this card also carries a message of resilience and the potential for improvement through perseverance and seeking support. It reminds us to acknowledge our available resources and remain hopeful and open to opportunities for growth, even in tough times.

Five of Pentacles: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Relief from hardship, receiving help, financial recovery, overcoming challenges, supportive community, resilience paying off, transition from scarcity to abundance

The Five of Pentacles reversed typically signifies improvements in financial difficulties, indicating that you are receiving assistance, finding solutions, or experiencing a transition from scarcity to a more stable and supportive situation. It suggests that your resilience and efforts to overcome challenges are beginning to pay off, and you may be on the path to financial recovery.

Gallery: Five of Pentacles in Various Decks

Coming soon!