The Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning
Four pentacles are arranged in a pattern of two vertical and two horizontal, though the lines do not intersect. The two vertical ones are positioned above the two horizontal ones.
The central figure in the scene faces us, sitting on a square stone seat with a firm and unyielding posture. He has strung together these four pentacles in a vertical and horizontal arrangement.
He tightly embraces the pentacles with both hands, with one foot on each pentacle, and a crown on his head, which also has a pentacle on top.
He must remain still, or else the pentacle on his head would fall first, but he seems to take pleasure in possessing this wealth.
This wealthy man has a greedy look in his eyes, his lips tightly pursed, and his entire body is in a state of stillness, appearing very rigid. He is dressed in a deep reddish-brown garment, with two sleeves and the hem exposed, draped in a black cloak, showing a noble demeanor, but also revealing his inner closure.
Behind the wealthy man is the backdrop of an entire town, with rows of high and low buildings clearly visible, and in the far distance, mountains can be faintly seen as a barrier. The foreground ground is flat and colorless, and the background sky is also a colorless expanse.
Indeed, the entire arm encircling and still as a mountain is also a posture of practicing. The posture of holding money in the hand, if replaced with something else, could represent a different state. However, if one is too attached to material things, it becomes a kind of rigidity.
Man Holding and Stepping on Pentacles
The main figure in the card is a man who holds a pentacle close to his heart and has his feet firmly placed on two other pentacles. This is a direct representation of his deep attachment to material possessions, wealth, and security. He is unwilling to let go, clinging to what he owns with great intensity.
Fourth Pentacle on the Crown
The fourth pentacle placed above the man’s head or on a crown signifies his mental and perhaps egotistical attachment to wealth. It shows that his thoughts are consumed by his possessions, to the point where it rules over his identity and self-worth.
Background Town or City
The town or city that is often portrayed in the background of the card indicates that the figure is disconnected from his community and social ties. His concern for material wealth has distanced him from society, suggesting the loss of something more valuable than material goods.
Rigid Posture
The man’s rigid posture points to his emotional and spiritual rigidity. He is closed off to anything that doesn’t directly concern his wealth or material possessions. This lack of emotional and spiritual flexibility is indicative of how his material concerns have overshadowed other areas of his life.
Throne or Seat
The throne or seat upon which the man sits is often adorned or structured in a way that denotes stability and power. However, this is a double-edged symbol. While it suggests that he has achieved some level of material success, it also traps him, becoming almost like a cage that restricts his freedom and ability to connect with more ephemeral, but equally important, aspects of life.
Keywords
Stability, Control, Security, Possession, Materialism
General Overview
The Four of Pentacles manifests as a card of stability and control, but often at the cost of freedom and emotional well-being. The image usually depicts a figure holding onto four coins tightly, embodying the spirit of hoarding and material possession. While this card certainly speaks to financial security, it also warns against becoming too engrossed in material wealth, thereby losing sight of emotional and spiritual riches.
Despite its potentially negative connotations, the Four of Pentacles is not necessarily a bad omen. It serves as a reminder to appreciate and wisely manage the wealth and assets you’ve accumulated. But it also advises you to loosen your grip, to be more generous, and to spend on experiences that offer emotional and spiritual returns.
Be cautious of becoming too obsessed with your material possessions or status. For this card often indicates an attachment to material things that can hinder personal growth and interpersonal relationships. It poses the question: what are you sacrificing for the sake of stability and material comfort?
Work
Work Situation
Currently, your job offers a substantial income and a certain degree of control. You have achieved great success and are diligently safeguarding your accomplishments to prevent others from taking them away.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
Beyond formal legal regulations, the most important thing to consider is the budget. The method that achieves the goal with the least amount of money should be the top priority.
Workplace Relationships
You don't have many friends at work because you always prioritize your own interests and don't listen to others' advice. As a result, when problems arise, no one wants to help you.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss has a very strong desire to control and is meticulous about money. You should show absolute respect for their authority and avoid asking them to pay for anything.
Job Prospects
The development potential of this job is quite good, and there will definitely be opportunities for raises. If you value financial gains highly, this is a place worth your investment.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
You should be able to find a new job soon, one with a satisfying income. You should seize this good period and quickly find a job to start working.
Love
Love Situation
In this relationship, both parties want to control each other and use each other to achieve their own goals. In fact, both are satisfied with this relationship.
Possibility of New Romance
It's unlikely that a new romance will happen now because you lack a sense of security and are overly protective of yourself. Even if someone wants to get closer to you, it's hard for you to accept them.
View on This Relationship
This relationship is built on a solid material foundation, but there is a bit of a lack of security. Therefore, sometimes you try to control each other to prevent others from taking them away.
Sexual Attraction
There isn't much sexual attraction between the two of you, but having a sex life is an important way for both of you to possess each other and is the main source of emotional stability and security.
How to Resolve Arguments
Both of you are stubborn in your views now. If you can't lower your stance and concede a little to the other party, it might be difficult to resolve the argument. Giving gifts as an apology might be a good approach.
Possibility of a Breakup
Breaking up at this time is not easy because both of you want to hold on tightly to each other. Even if you propose a breakup now, it's hard for the other party to accept it immediately.
Possibility of Reconciliation
There is still a possibility of reconciliation in this relationship, but one person needs to take the initiative. If both are afraid of rejection, they might miss the opportunity.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Because you are too stubborn, you don't have many good friends. You should cherish the few close friends you have, as these are the people who truly care about you.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
Your view on this matter is too subjective, making it difficult to reconcile with friends. If you can make some concessions, the problem might be resolved perfectly.
Family
Family Situation
The current family situation is very stable, and there is enough financial strength for everyone to live a good life. Or perhaps due to an inheritance, the family situation has suddenly improved.
Relationship with Elders
You are too stubborn, and elders often can't do anything about you. But since you can handle your own affairs well, they have nothing to say.
Relationship with Peers
Among peers, everyone lives their own lives and doesn't interact much. However, perhaps due to dealing with inheritance issues, everyone still needs to get together.
Relationship with Juniors
You have a strong desire to control juniors and impose many restrictions on them. Therefore, juniors don't dare to have their own opinions to avoid conflicts with you.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your current academic situation is not bad, and you can grasp the key points of learning. Since you continue to work hard in your studies, your performance will be stable.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should first formulate a feasible plan and then follow it step by step. Even if your progress is different from others, you will still have good results.
Relationship with Teachers
The teacher is very conservative. If everyone can't do things his way or meet his standards, he will be very angry.
Relationship with Classmates
Your interpersonal relationships among classmates are not very good, and you only have a few like-minded good friends. You should study with these people and ignore others.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your current financial situation is very good, and you may even make a fortune due to inheritance or bonuses. You should accumulate and use this money well, and it can definitely appreciate in value.
Investment Situation
Your current investments have already started to make a profit, and in the long run, they will also perform well. These are important processes for accumulating capital, so be careful and cautious.
Purchasing Strategy
You can make any purchases now, but you should focus on special offers or auction items. Not only can you buy cheap things, but it will also bring you a lot of fun.
Keywords
Release, Generosity, Insecurity, Letting Go, Unblocking
General Overview
The reversed Four of Pentacles indicates a shift from holding tightly to one’s resources to a more generous or less constrained mentality. While the upright position might symbolize materialism and control, the reversed position heralds the beginnings of freedom from these limitations. There is an opening here, whether you are releasing a long-held belief, relinquishing control, or even giving away possessions.
This change can also manifest as a newfound understanding of the impermanence of material wealth. The card speaks to a more relaxed attitude towards possessions and a deeper understanding that true value lies in your relationships and experiences, rather than what you own.
However, this release is not without its difficulties. There might be feelings of insecurity or vulnerability as you open up and let go. While this is understandable, the card reminds you that your worth is not solely defined by your material assets, and there is a form of richness in release and sharing.
Work
Work Situation
Your current job is out of your control, and there are obstacles that you can't handle. You can only exert a weak influence, hoping things will gradually improve.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
When there's no money, there are ways to cope without it. Things may be delayed, so you should make a comprehensive contingency plan now to prevent the problem from causing more harm.
Workplace Relationships
Your colleagues in this job are at odds with each other and can't accept others' opinions. At this time, you can only follow the rules and can't take care of personal relationships.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss is very calculating, but many ideas are hidden in his heart and not spoken out. You should be very careful when getting along with him, so as not to be betrayed by him carelessly.
Job Prospects
The prospects of this job are not very good, and there are no clear opportunities for promotion. It's just a place where you can stay temporarily and is not suitable for your long-term development.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It may encounter some obstacles when looking for a job now, so it will take a longer time to find a job and go to work. You should patiently get through this period.
Love
Love Situation
Both of you are unwilling to give now, which has caused obstacles between each other. If you are too stubborn and cause opposition, it will not be beneficial to either party.
Possibility of New Romance
It's actually difficult to have a new love now, because you yourself are not clear about what you need in love, and you are not willing to open your heart to accept others' kindness to you.
View on This Relationship
This relationship is now in a state of stagnation, and there may even be a bit of opposition. Maybe there are some incompatible aspects in values between the two of you.
Sexual Attraction
There is no sexual attraction in this relationship, and sex life is not an important part of each other. It may become a tool for continuing the family line.
How to Resolve Arguments
At this time, it's hard for you to take the initiative to do anything. You can only think about all the contingency plans first, and then use the appropriate methods to solve the problem after the other party takes the initiative.
Possibility of a Breakup
If you want to break up at this time, you should have a meticulous plan first. Breaking up on impulse will not be accepted by the other party, so you should think about the situation clearly before taking action.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship is actually not likely to reconcile, and there is no affection between the two people. Even if you really want to reconcile, you may encounter many external obstacles.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Your interpersonal relationship is actually not very good, because you always want to take advantage of your friends, but you are not willing to give, and no one is willing to be taken advantage of by you all the time.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
Misunderstandings cannot be resolved quickly at this time, so you should be prepared for a long-term struggle. If you can hold on long enough, it may develop in a direction that is beneficial to you.
Family
Family Situation
Now the family has encountered some financial problems, or because of inheritance issues, everyone is unhappy. At this time, being too particular will lose more.
Relationship with Elders
Your elders often want to influence you, but you often adopt an opposing attitude towards them, so the relationship between each other is not very good, and there is almost no communication.
Relationship with Peers
You are more independent among your peers, but life will be more difficult. Since there is no affection between each other, you can't find anyone to help when you encounter problems.
Relationship with Juniors
You are stingy with your juniors, so the relationship between each other is not very close. You should spend more time caring for them to slowly understand them.
Academics
Academic Situation
You have encountered a bottleneck in your studies. You should eliminate various external temptations and obstacles and focus on studying to get good grades.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should grasp the key points and improve your learning efficiency. Put more time on the subjects you are good at, and you can have a stable performance.
Relationship with Teachers
The teacher himself is very knowledgeable, but you may not be able to learn things in his way. You should choose the parts you can accept, and the rest should work hard on your own.
Relationship with Classmates
Your relationship with classmates is not very good, and you may often quarrel with classmates. It's better to spend more time studying, so as not to end up with nothing at the end.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your financial situation has encountered a little problem now. You should solve it in time at this time. If the situation continues to delay, it may become more and more serious.
Investment Situation
Your investment has started to decline now, and it's time to review it comprehensively. You can continue to retain the ones that perform well, and give up the others quickly.
Purchasing Strategy
It's suitable to make purchases now, but you should have a complete purchasing plan and list first, and wait for the right time to make a move to achieve the highest benefits.