Drawing the Four of Pentacles in a tarot reading typically symbolizes themes related to control, stability, and material security. Here are some key interpretations:
1. Holding On to Resources
- Meaning: The card often signifies a tendency to cling to money, possessions, or even relationships. This can suggest a fear of loss or insecurity about the future.
2. Fear of Change
- Meaning: The Four of Pentacles may indicate a resistance to change. You might be overly cautious or unwilling to take risks, which can hinder growth and new opportunities.
3. Material Security
- Meaning: On a positive note, this card can reflect financial stability and a sense of security. You may have successfully built a solid foundation in your material life.
4. Control and Power Dynamics
- Meaning: The card can also highlight issues related to control, whether it’s about controlling your resources or feeling controlled by your possessions or financial situation.
5. Need for Balance
- Meaning: It may be a reminder to find balance between saving and spending, or between material concerns and emotional or spiritual fulfillment.
Overall Interpretation
The Four of Pentacles encourages you to examine your relationship with money, possessions, and control. It invites reflection on whether your desire for security is helping or hindering your overall well-being and growth.
This card depicts a man who is sitting on a stool, who is holding onto two pentacles in a very defensive and tight posture. It’s almost as if he is hoarding them out of fear of loss. One pentacle is balanced precariously on his head, while another one is tightly clutched between his own hands, and there are two of them which are securely placed underneath his feet. He is making sure that there is absolutely no one touching his coins. At the same time, he is also unable to move because he is holding the coins so tightly. In other words, he is restrained from acting because he is holding too tight to his possessions. To some, money does not always bring freedom.
Upright Meaning Guide
Four of Pentacles Upright Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Holding on to people/possessions/ issues, deep-seated/past issues, hoarding, stinginess, control, possessiveness, financial stability, financial security, saving for big purchases or retirement, greed, materialism, wealth, penny-pinching, isolation, boundaries, keeping to yourself, lack of openness
General Meaning and Interpretation (Upright)
In a general context, the Four of Pentacles Tarot card can indicate that you are holding on to people, possessions, situations or past issues. It can be an indication that there are deep-seated issues affecting you that you need to process and let go of. This Minor Arcana card can indicate that you may be trying very hard to cling onto the people or possessions that give you a sense of security. You may be holding onto things in an unhealthy, possessive, controlling or toxic way or someone may be holding onto you in such a manner. It can indicate that you need to establish your boundaries or respect the boundaries of other people. The Four of Pentacles can also indicate a lack of openness, blocking or obstructing progress, keeping to yourself or a sense of isolation. It can represent wealth, greed, materialism and penny-pinching.
Love & Relationships (Upright)
In a love Tarot reading, the Four of Pentacles is not a great card to get. If you are in a relationship, it can indicate that either you or your partner may be acting in a possessive, jealous or controlling manner which could be having a negative effect on your relationship. Be careful not to hold on so tight that you squeeze the life out of your relationship. It can also be an indication that one of you is holding onto past wrongs or a grudge or that there are deep-seated issues causing issues in the relationship. If your partner has wronged you in some way you will need to make a decision to either forgive them and move forward together or let go of the relationship. Holding onto grudges is toxic and breeds resentment. If you are single, the Four of Pentacles indicates that you may be holding yourself back from meeting someone new. This may be because you fear change, you are not approaching new relationships with an open mind and heart or it can be an indication that you are still holding onto feelings for an ex and are not ready to move on. Whatever the cause you will need to resolve these issues before you can fully embrace a new relationship.
Money & Career (Upright)
In a career spread, the Four of Pentacles usually indicates that you are in a stable position in your career. Do not let the fear of losing that position rule your life, you can be careful about maintaining your position without being paranoid or isolating yourself. It can signify being wary of sharing with others in a career setting which could take the form of being possessive of your clients for fear of someone stealing them or unwilling to share ideas with co-workers as you worry they might take credit for them. This may be a valid concern in some situations but don’t go overboard. It may also indicate that you are holding on to a job that doesn’t fulfill you because you fear to lose the financial security it gives you. Alternately, the Four of Pentacles can represent someone withholding something from you such as an employer holding a promotion or pay rise back. If you have your own business it can indicate that you are attaining success through honest hard work and building on it. In a financial Tarot spread, the Four of Pentacles usually indicates financial security and stability. It also indicates that you are trying to hold onto your wealth. This may be in the form of saving for a big purchase such as a house or car or putting money away for your retirement. However, it can also indicate materialism, penny-pinching or greediness or stinginess.
Health (Upright)
In a health Tarot spread, the Four of Pentacles can indicate that you may be holding on to old negative energy from past issues or experiences that may be having a knock-on effect on your health. It might be a good idea to try Reiki or some form of energy healing to help you release those energies. If you are holding onto old emotional or psychological baggage, talking to a friend or professional counselor might help you to release some of those issues. It is also a card of retention so you may be suffering from constipation or water retention when it appears.
Spirituality (Upright)
In a spiritual context, the Four of Pentacles indicates that you may be holding onto the past and resisting going forward on your spiritual path. Fear, regret or negativity may be holding you back and you may be closing your heart off to others or focusing too much on materialism. You need to take time out to figure out what you are holding onto and why. Try meditating or energy work to help this process along.
Reversed Meaning Guide
Four of Pentacles Reversed Tarot Card Key Meanings:
Shedding the old, letting go of people, possessions or issues, generosity, sharing, giving to others, making large purchases, openness, generous to a fault, financial insecurity/ instability, financial loss, losing something valuable, reckless behavior, lack of control, gambling, theft
General meaning and interpretation (Reversed)
In a general context, the Four of Pentacles reversed Tarot card can indicate that you are ready to let go of people, possessions, situations or past issues. You may be releasing toxic people or situations that are no longer healthy for you, shedding old issues or letting go of regrets or fears. You may also be feeling generous and sharing your wealth or possessions by giving to others. Be careful not to go to the extreme in this aspect and allow others to take advantage of you. This Minor Arcana card can indicate that you may have let go of or lost something valuable through theft or gambling or it can be an indication that you are out of control or are engaging in reckless behavior. However, the Four of Pentacles reversed can also indicate that you having stopped trying to control people or situations and are approaching things with a more relaxed and open attitude. Look to the surrounding cards for clarification.
Love & Relationships (Reversed)
In a love Tarot spread, the Four of Pentacles reversed is a good omen. If you are in a relationship, it can indicate that you are letting go of fear and resentment in order to allow your relationship to move forward in a positive way. If you have been in a toxic relationship, it can be an indication of letting the relationship go. However, this should ultimately be a positive decision in your life if that is the case as it is something you need to do to move forward. If you are single, the Four of Pentacles reversed indicates that you are ready to let go of fear and get out there and meet people with an open heart. If you have been struggling to let go of feelings for an exit can be an indication that you are ready to release those feelings and move forward in a positive way.
Money & Career (Reversed)
In a career spread, the Four of Pentacles reversed in a positive aspect can indicate that you will be generous to those in your work environment. This may involve giving them your time or assistance, brainstorming and sharing ideas or sharing the credit for successful projects. However, there are many negative associations for the Four of Pentacles reversed in a career setting so you really need to look to the supporting cards for confirmation. The Four of Pentacles reversed can indicate job losses, letting go of a failing business or even bankruptcy. Now is not a time to make a career or business gamble as this card can represent losing valuable opportunities through risky behavior when it appears in your Tarot spread. The Four of Pentacles reversed warns you to pursue success through honest hard work and determination and to avoid taking short cuts as they could backfire. It can also signify theft of ideas, business or clients so be careful who you trust with your client lists, ideas or trade secrets. In a financial Tarot spread, the Four of Pentacles reversed indicates not holding onto your wealth. This can take the form of losing something valuable through carelessness or theft or financial losses through reckless behavior such as gambling, getting involved in “get rich quick” schemes or risky investments that fail. It can signify financial insecurity and instability. However, it can also represent not holding onto the money for positive reasons such as using your money to buy something important you’ve been saving for like a house or car, being generous, giving to others or sharing your wealth with those close to you.
Health (Reversed)
In a health Tarot reading, the Four of Pentacles reversed indicates that you are releasing or are ready to release the negative energy you have been holding onto and move forward in a positive, healthy way. Maybe you have been suffering from anxiety and have shared your worries with someone you trust and lightened your load or maybe you’ve forgiven someone who wronged you in the past and let go of your anger towards them. Whatever the situation, you should see a significant improvement in your health or general well-being as a result.
Spirituality (Reversed)
In a spiritual context, the Four of Pentacles reversed indicates that you are ready to go forward on your spiritual path and will make huge progress in the right direction as you let go of any fear, regret, and negativity you were holding onto. This is a great time for you spiritually as you approach things with an open mind and open a generous heart. Make sure you stay grounded and keep enough of your energy for yourself!
Reference:
- Labyrinthos, 2019, 11/14/19, (https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/four-of-pentacles-meaning-tarot-card-meanings?_pos=10&_sid=18b5a7f6f&_ss=r)
- Lisa, 2019, 11/14/19, (https://www.thetarotguide.com/four-of-pentacles)