Minor Arcana · Pentacles: From the Ace of Pentacles to the Ten of Pentacles
December 28, 2025
By Rechen
11 min read

Minor Arcana · Pentacles: From the Ace of Pentacles to the Ten of Pentacles

The Court Cards of the Pentacles suit embody themes of wealth, stability, and practical wisdom.

Ace of Pentacles

Materiality · Wealth · Status

Card Interpretation

The Ace of Pentacles suggests that you have sufficient financial resources to carry out your plans.

This card represents a new beginning. It may be a completely fresh start, or the launch of a new phase within an existing situation—this can be confirmed by combining it with other cards in a spread. If you have doubts, draw an additional card alongside the Ace for further clarity.

In the imagery, a hand extends from the clouds, holding a pentacle aloft. This five-pointed star (symbolizing the five parts of the human body: head, two hands, two feet) points upward, encircled by a ring. The square-shaped thumbnail embodies the earthy, pragmatic nature of the Pentacles suit. A subtle, ethereal aura surrounds the hand—an indication of its spiritual origin, rooted in the cosmos or the source of all things.

Beneath the hand lies a blooming garden, enclosed by a fence to shield it from the wind. A path stretches beyond the garden, leading toward distant hills. The garden symbolizes the Pentacles’ connection to nature, while the path to the hills hints that, by adopting the practical approach of the Pentacles suit, the money, time, or energy you invest may yield substantial returns.

The hand securely holding the pentacle signifies that, at this moment, you are fully capable of taking charge of your wealth.

Upright

Perfection · Completion · Abundance · Happiness · Joy · Gold · Precious coins or objects · Treasures · The union of material and spiritual fulfillment

Reversed

Wealthy yet unhappy · Misuse of money · Squandering finances · Corrupted by wealth · Stinginess · Greed · Fool’s gold

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Two of Pentacles

Fluctuation · Flexibility · Balance · Recreation

Card Interpretation

A man, resembling a circus clown, juggles two pentacles tied to an infinity-shaped cord. Behind him, the sea churns violently, with ships tossing on the crests of the waves. Judging from the man’s juggling act and the turbulent sea, the Two of Pentacles depicts a state of unstable, ever-changing life. On a broader scale, it reflects the ups and downs of the human journey. Life demands that we adapt to countless situations; in the card, the man seems to be gauging the weight of the two pentacles, as if seeking a way to navigate the chaos. The card’s key message is flexibility—in the face of life’s storms, we must meet challenges with the same ease and composure as the man in the image.

Upright

  1. Plagued by constant troubles and facing extreme misfortune
  2. Old worries linger as new ones emerge, forcing you to learn to survive in adversity
  3. New plans fail to get off the ground
  4. Life is chaotic and disorganized, lacking direction

Reversed

  1. Able to enjoy recreational activities and strike a healthy balance between work and life
  2. Overspending and exceeding financial plans
  3. Appearing happy on the surface, but suffering inwardly

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Three of Pentacles

Cooperation · Coordination · Planning · Honor · Talent

Card Interpretation

A skilled stonemason works diligently inside a cathedral, while a monk and a nun stand beside him, offering advice and guidance. Their focused discussion suggests a harmonious and productive collaboration. The Three of Pentacles often signifies teamwork: every member of the group must align with a shared goal, rather than acting arbitrarily. Success requires careful planning and ongoing communication during implementation. Thus, this card also represents effective communication and coordination. In the image, the stonemason has already carved part of the decorative patterns, and his craftsmanship has earned the admiration of the monk and nun—so the Three of Pentacles also symbolizes praise and honor bestowed for professional competence.

Upright

  1. Possessing proficient professional skills and first-class expertise
  2. Talented and standing out from the crowd
  3. Accomplishing a long-cherished major goal
  4. Valuing reputation and having a strong sense of honor

Reversed

  1. Falling short of standards and failing to satisfy others
  2. Having immature ideas that are difficult to implement
  3. Sustaining certain material losses

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Four of Pentacles

Profit · Control · Possession · Inheritance

Card Interpretation

The man in the card appears to be of high status, judging by his attire. He balances one pentacle on his head, steps on two more with his feet, and clutches a fourth tightly to his chest. Who knows how many more pentacles are stored in the chest beneath him? His expression is tense—he is clearly terrified of losing even the smallest bit of his property. Materially, he is wealthy; yet he stands alone, far removed from the people in the castle in the distance, revealing that he is utterly impoverished in spirit.

The Four of Pentacles often represents material abundance and stability paired with spiritual emptiness.

Upright

  1. A miser, often referring to the absurdly frugal habits of wealthy people
  2. Being extremely thrifty in daily life, typically associated with those of modest means
  3. Facing issues related to inheritance, or foretelling the passing of a relative with potential disputes over property succession
  4. Being overly obsessed with the pursuit of material wealth

Reversed

  1. Living beyond one’s means or squandering one’s savings
  2. An extravagant person with no financial planning and a lack of self-control
  3. Experiencing a severe downturn in financial luck
  4. Failing due to excessively inflated material desires

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Five of Pentacles

Poverty · Illness · Hardship · Lover

Card Interpretation

In a bitter snowstorm, a ragged beggar couple staggers past a church—a symbol of material sustenance, spiritual refuge, and protection—yet they pay it no heed. The beggar leaning on crutches symbolizes illness and misfortune. This card also embodies unwavering love: the couple, though trapped in poverty, remain devoted to each other, bringing a glimmer of warmth to the icy scene. Notably, the church in the image has windows but no visible front door—a detail that invites profound reflection, allowing the querent to draw their own associations based on personal circumstances.

Upright

  1. Plagued by financial worries, yet rich in spirit despite material deprivation
  2. Dissolute and cynical, with a reckless attitude toward life
  3. Suffering a string of failures
  4. Being unemployed
  5. Feeling disheartened and hopeless

Reversed

  1. Worrying about housing problems or facing recent troubles related to real estate
  2. Living in chaos, with various material concerns causing constant anxiety
  3. Experiencing opposition and conflict in multiple aspects of life
  4. Harboring absurd ideas but feeling trapped by them

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Six of Pentacles

Charity · Generosity · Financial Management · Giving and Receiving

Card Interpretation

Two beggars kneel before a man dressed as a merchant, begging for alms. The man gives charity with his right hand, while his left hand holds a balance scale—a symbol of fairness. The scene carries a touch of humor amid its poignancy: charity demands equity. Giving too much or too little to either beggar would not constitute appropriate assistance. Beyond charity, the Six of Pentacles also represents the ability to manage finances wisely.

Upright

  1. Understanding the importance of reciprocity and maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships
  2. Being kind to others and enjoying excellent popularity
  3. Enjoying favorable living conditions
  4. Possessing an open and magnanimous heart

Reversed

  1. Selfish and unlikable
  2. Consumed by jealousy, often in a foul mood
  3. Possessing ill-gotten gains
  4. Being in debt, either financially or morally, and failing to repay kindness
  5. Driven by overwhelming greed

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Seven of Pentacles

Harvest · Pause · Contemplation

Card Interpretation

The man in the card is depicted as a hardworking laborer. Lush vines beside him symbolize the immense effort he has poured into his work, adorned with seven pentacles that represent the fruits of his toil. His expression betrays a hint of weariness, yet the rewards of his labor bring him comfort and satisfaction. Both the laborer and the soil beneath his feet exude simplicity and humility, in stark contrast to the radiant glow of the seven pentacles. The message is clear: hard work pays off—with dedication, anyone has the chance to achieve success. From another perspective, the laborer stands beside the vines, which might not be thriving crops but weeds that threaten the harvest, requiring removal. He pauses to reflect: does he have the ability to clear them? Is the effort worth it? Will the harvest justify his hard work? Could weeding inadvertently destroy the fruits he has worked so hard to grow?

Upright

  1. Unable to achieve your goals; it is necessary to assess the importance of the problem
  2. Conducting a careful evaluation of matters
  3. Having expended a great deal of effort with little to show for it
  4. Achieving success through diligent work

Reversed

  1. Having put in excessive effort or produced more than needed
  2. Making decisions out of ignorance and recklessness
  3. Making foolish investments due to lack of foresight
  4. Working tirelessly without receiving any rewards

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Eight of Pentacles

Skill · Diligence · Work

Card Interpretation

A man focuses intently on engraving a pentacle with a hammer. Clearly, he has been at work for a long time—he has already completed seven pentacles, and the eighth is nearly finished. To concentrate fully on his craft, he has moved away from the distant town visible in the background, allowing him to dedicate his undivided attention to his work. The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes diligent effort and meticulous attention to detail.

Upright

  1. Possessing a strong drive to succeed and refusing to be outdone by others
  2. Being organized and methodical in one’s work
  3. Striving for excellence and constantly refining one’s skills
  4. Being in the process of studying and learning
  5. Self-motivated, often drawing inspiration from the deeds of famous figures

Reversed

  1. Lacking genuine ability yet being extremely vain
  2. Engaging in usury or pursuing profit by any means necessary
  3. Wasting one’s talents on trivial or unethical pursuits
  4. Having one’s ambitions frustrated

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Nine of Pentacles

Abundance · Success · Confidence · Enjoyment · Self-Discipline

Card Interpretation

An elegant and refined woman strolls leisurely through a garden. Several pentacles lie at her feet, symbolizing material prosperity. A falcon perches obediently on her left shoulder—falcons represent the dark and unruly aspects of life, and its tameness indicates that the woman has successfully mastered her impulses and desires, no longer ruled by them.

Upright

  1. Possessing discerning taste, making excellent choices, and earning the admiration of others
  2. Understanding the importance of saving, being prudent with money without being stingy
  3. Consistently creating favorable conditions for oneself; a person of action who despises empty talk
  4. Achieving a certain level of success
  5. Knowing the safest way to conduct affairs

Reversed

  1. Being untrustworthy and disliked, with little hope of changing this trait
  2. Having plans terminated, resulting in the loss of all previous efforts
  3. Lacking management capabilities
  4. Losing one’s wealth due to a loss of credibility
  5. Falling victim to theft

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Ten of Pentacles

Prosperity · Enterprise & Community · Material Success

Card Interpretation

The card depicts a warm and harmonious family. An elderly person sits comfortably indoors, with two dogs—symbols of domestic harmony—loyalty at their feet. Outside the door stand a son and daughter-in-law, while a young grandson playfully tugs at a dog’s tail. The pentacles are arranged in a pattern resembling the Tree of Life, a symbol of vitality and legacy. The Ten of Pentacles portrays a family with a solid financial foundation, embodying the traditional value of passing down one’s business or estate to the next generation. This card also represents family-run enterprises or other groups driven by the goals of wealth and success, as well as successful business partnerships.

Upright

  1. Loved ones entering their twilight years, signifying that an inheritance is drawing near
  2. A traditional family where the son takes over the family business, maintaining a stable standard of living
  3. Enjoying a happy family life, with abundant material wealth, numerous descendants, and a loving, harmonious household
  4. A group or enterprise operating smoothly

Reversed

  1. Discord brewing within a group, usually stemming from financial disputes
  2. Advisable to postpone investment partnerships; financial management requires extreme caution
  3. Losing an inheritance
  4. Falling into conflict with relatives, leading to family disharmony
  5. Suffering theft or other material losses
  6. Showing favoritism toward one’s family members, compromising fairness

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Published on December 28, 2025

Last updated on January 4, 2026

Written by Rechen