The Five of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning
Five pentacles are arranged in a square with an additional one at the top, forming a pentagram that signifies the elevation of material things and connection with the spiritual realm.
The scene is of a blizzard, with a snowy landscape and snowflakes filling the sky, raging in the dim night. The resplendent five pentacles hang high on the church's window, inside of which is a peaceful and sheltered world.
However, in the harsh reality, there are two people suffering from hunger and cold, who must face this tangible hardship—hungry and cold, moving forward against the biting wind and with injuries.
These two destitute individuals pass by the bright window scene, yet they look in the opposite direction, not drawn to the light and warmth, nor do they have the intention to stop. The combination of the two scenes is like different worlds being separated, creating a stark contrast.
The man on the left of the image has his left foot wrapped and is walking wearily with a crutch. On the right is a woman, huddled under a red cloth. Both are dressed in tattered clothes, walking with tired steps. They may be a couple, accompanying each other through whatever harsh environment they face, supporting one another, adding some warmth, but without the leisure to cuddle and linger.
Since the scene is a dark night with a blizzard, the church's architecture and outer walls are not clear, yet this bright and splendid window is distinctly and clearly presented, a typical vertical chain window used in churches. The church's door is not open, nor is it shown, indicating a closed and resting church.
Church Window
The church window, usually adorned with five pentacles, represents the spiritual sustenance that is always available to us, but often overlooked, especially during times of hardship. This serves to contrast the earthly suffering that the figures experience with the potential for spiritual comfort.
Two Figures
These figures, often seen as poor or leper-like, symbolize the marginalized, oppressed, or neglected aspects of ourselves or our lives. Their physical condition suggests the physical or material difficulties one may be facing.
Snowy Path
The snowy, barren landscape symbolizes isolation, hard times, and the feeling that one is left out in the cold. It portrays a challenging situation where resources are scarce and the environment is unfriendly.
Crutches and Ragged Clothes
The crutches and ragged clothes that the figures wear represent the emotional or physical supports that one might rely upon but which may not be adequate. They symbolize frailty and a sense of being handicapped in face of life’s challenges.
Bare Feet
The bare feet of the figures suggest a spiritual grounding, reminding us that despite adversities, the potential for spiritual insight remains. It signifies a journey that is both literal and metaphorical, and the struggles that accompany it.
Keywords
Struggle, Loss, Hardship, Financial Difficulty, Exclusion
General Overview
The Five of Pentacles represents a period of hardship and struggle, especially in relation to material and financial aspects. This card can signify a period of economic downturn, poverty, health problems, or bad fortune. It suggests a time when you or someone else involved may feel excluded from a community or a social circle, either emotionally or literally.
However, it is important to remember that the trials of the Five of Pentacles are not eternal but are rather a phase that will eventually pass. Many forget to see that in traditional images of this card, a place of sanctuary (often a church) is depicted in the background. This serves as a reminder that assistance and safe harbor are within reach, even if it doesn’t feel that way.
This card also serves as a call to action to prepare and fortify your reserves whether they be financial, emotional, or spiritual. The difficulties you face now are conquerable, and while the hardship is often external, the despair is internal and optional.
Work
Work Situation
You may feel sidelined or stripped of power in your current job, making it difficult to change the status quo even if you want to. It's also possible that your salary is extremely low.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
All current issues stem from money. If you have sufficient budget, all problems can be solved. Without financial investment, success is doomed.
Workplace Relationships
You have some colleagues who can share hardships with you, but these people cannot share happiness. When the situation improves, it's more likely to lead to arguments.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your superior lacks capability and cannot provide you with enough resources and support. You have to rely on yourself and ignore their opinions.
Job Prospects
This job has no prospects. Not only can't you utilize your talents, but there are also no opportunities for raises. Staying here is just self-abuse.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It's hard for you to find a good new job now. Even if you find one, it's bound to be a low-paying job. It's best to look for a job when your fortune turns better.
Love
Love Situation
This relationship is in crisis. The two of you don't have enough material foundation to support a shared life. Even if you're still together, it will be a hard life.
Possibility of New Romance
It's unlikely for a new romance to happen now because you're in a financial crisis. You have no money or energy to pursue love, so don't think too much about it.
View on This Relationship
You feel you've suffered a lot and been hurt a lot in this relationship. Although you still expect improvement in the future, you're still suffering for now.
Sexual Attraction
There is no sexual attraction between the two of you, and there may be no sex life at all. Life together is not happy, and it's hard to find any way to improve.
How to Resolve Arguments
If the problem is about money, it can only be solved with money in the end. Try to find a balance in how you handle things together, and don't turn it into a war of values.
Possibility of a Breakup
When both parties are unwilling to make an effort, the relationship may have to end. But one party always has to take the initiative to break up.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship is completely impossible to reconcile because both parties have already lost interest in this relationship and will not consider reconciliation, so it's impossible to really reconcile successfully.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You actually have very few friends, only a few good friends to talk to. You are powerless to deal with too complex interpersonal relationships, so it's also difficult to expand your social circle.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
You are completely powerless about this matter and can only wait for things to change naturally. At this time, even if you try to explain, it's hard to be accepted by the other party.
Family
Family Situation
Your family is facing a serious financial crisis, which may even lead to the collapse of the family. Now you can only protect yourself first, otherwise you may lose yourself.
Relationship with Elders
Your elders can't provide you with any assistance, so the relationship between each other is very cold. At this time, you can only live your own life and don't have unrealistic expectations.
Relationship with Peers
You are relatively isolated among your peers, so you can't get help from others. Although there is no affection between each other, there is no chance for arguments.
Relationship with Juniors
You can't provide a good material life for juniors, and you rarely have time to care about them. So the relationship is a bit alienated, and you don't know how to communicate when encountering problems.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your performance in academics is not good, and because the foundation is too poor, even if you start working hard now, it's hard to see results. But if you don't work hard, the future will be even worse.
Learning Methods
Now everything can only start from scratch, learn lessons from past failures, and diligence is your best portrayal. If you want to be lazy, you may never have a chance to turn things around.
Relationship with Teachers
The teacher himself is not very good at teaching, and how much you can learn depends on your own efforts. If you still expect the teacher to teach you something, it's like fishing in the woods.
Relationship with Classmates
You don't care much about the interpersonal relationships between classmates, and you don't have the ability to get into the group of classmates. You should spend more time studying seriously, so as not to lose out on both ends.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your financial situation is extremely poor, and you may be carrying too much debt at the same time. It's not easy to pay off in the short term.
Investment Situation
Your investment situation is very poor now, and there is no chance to turn things around. Don't hold unrealistic expectations for these, and don't increase new investments.
Purchasing Strategy
You shouldn't make any purchases now. You should save money and only spend on the basic necessities for survival. All other expenses are considered very extravagant for you.
Keywords
Recovery, Improvement, Financial Gains, Emotional Healing
General Overview
In the reversed position, the Five of Pentacles signals a potential turning point or relief from financial and emotional hardships. This is the light at the end of the tunnel that the upright position only hints at. Financially, it suggests that there might be some improvements, perhaps some debts are paid off, or a new job is secured.
While the hardships and difficulties may not have completely dissipated, their grip lessens, and there’s a feeling of hope and improvement. This card in its reversed form can indicate a realization that help and support are available, whether you turn to friends, family, or a higher power.
However, caution is still advised; though the situation is improving, it is not entirely resolved. It’s important to learn from past mistakes to prevent future setbacks. Attention to planning and a responsible outlook are key at this time.
Work
Work Situation
On the surface, your current job may seem glamorous, but it's actually a mess with internal chaos that's completely out of control.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
It's time to deal with financial issues pragmatically and allocate manpower and budgets where they're most efficient. If necessary, layoffs may be a necessary measure.
Workplace Relationships
The interpersonal relationships in this job are very chaotic, filled with conflicts and struggles. If not handled well, it could lead to a fall from grace.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
The personnel changes in the company are happening rapidly. Neither you nor your superiors are likely to stay for long. For now, it's best to take care of yourself and not worry about others.
Job Prospects
This job offers little room for growth, and the situation is likely to become more chaotic. It might take a while to stabilize, so if you can leave, it's best to do so quickly.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
It's difficult for you to find any job right now. No matter how hard you try, it's futile. It might be better to take a break and look for a job when your fortunes improve.
Love
Love Situation
This relationship often leads to arguments over money or financial issues. There's a significant difference in values between the two of you, and being together is painful for both.
Possibility of New Romance
There's no chance of a new romance right now. You're unclear about your own emotional state and lack clear thoughts and goals. It's best not to think too much about it.
View on This Relationship
This relationship is a mess, and there's a lack of understanding and trust between the two of you. The whole process feels like a misunderstanding and it's hoped to end soon.
Sexual Attraction
There's no sexual attraction between the two of you, which may lead to no sexual life at all or arguments over this issue that could destroy the relationship.
How to Resolve Arguments
The issues causing arguments are complex and can't be solved quickly. At this time, you should be patient and wait, or else you may have to choose to vent your emotions.
Possibility of a Breakup
The arguments between the two of you have reached an extreme, and both of you are willing to end the relationship. If you take the initiative to break up, the other party will also feel relieved.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship has no chance of reconciliation at all, and it's best to stay away from each other. Even if there's an opportunity to meet again, don't talk about anything related to feelings.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
Your interpersonal relationships are very poor, and you rarely have good friends to confide in. You should quickly stabilize your life to have the opportunity to make new friends.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
At this point, arguments are inevitable, and misunderstandings are unlikely to be resolved. You either have to give up this friendship or wait for time to gradually fade everything away.
Family
Family Situation
There may be serious arguments over money or financial crises in the family now. If you want to solve the problem, you need to first see the problem clearly.
Relationship with Elders
Your elders are very disappointed with you. Even though you still get along on the surface, there's no real affection left in your hearts. You have to handle everything on your own.
Relationship with Peers
You often argue with your peers, and it's best not to have any financial dealings with them, or you may have serious financial disputes.
Relationship with Juniors
You often argue with juniors over issues of values, but you worry about their future. Even if you try your best, it's still difficult to change their concepts.
Academics
Academic Situation
Your current academic situation is not good, mainly because you don't work hard and don't use good study methods, so your grades are a mess.
Learning Methods
You should make up your mind now, find a fixed time to study every day, and when you establish the order and inertia of study, you can slowly get back on track academically.
Relationship with Teachers
Teachers are actually not interested in teaching, and there's no system in teaching. The knowledge you can absorb is limited, so it's better to rely on yourself and find ways to improve and strengthen your studies.
Relationship with Classmates
Your interpersonal relationships with classmates are not good, and you often have serious arguments with them. Remember that you don't have to agree with everyone, and don't care about their opinions.
Finance
Financial Situation
Your finances are very chaotic, and you may not even know how bad they are. You should quickly understand the actual situation in order to start solving the problem.
Investment Situation
Your investment situation is very bad right now. It's best not to spend any more effort on it. If you can end all investments in time, you may be able to reduce the loss.
Purchasing Strategy
It's not suitable to make any purchases now. If you act rashly, it will bring more problems. At this time, it's better to wait and see before taking any action.