2 of Pentacles

Keywords & phrases

• Inevitability of change
• Coping with change
• Work/life balance
• Juggling act
• Prioritising
• Delegating

First impressions

At first glance this is a rather hectic scene involving ships and juggling and some rather dubious headgear.

What is happening in the card?

The character in the 2 of Pentacles seems to be holding it together, just. Here he is sporting an extraordinary hat and tights combo (keeping up appearances?), juggling his coins while ships pitch and roll in a turbulent sea in the distance.

How long can he keep it up? Is his focus even in the right place?

How can we relate to this card?

We’ve all experienced those times when we have a lot or too much going on at work and home, but we manage. We manage to keep our balls in the air (or our plates spinning), as long as we don’t take our eyes off them for a minute. Because if we do the whole lot might come falling down.

And all the while, elsewhere in the background, there’s be a storm brewing which we may, or may not be aware of because we are caught up in this endless juggling act. Desperately trying not to drop the ball/s.

Could it be time to stop and take a moment to pay attention to what’s going on around us? 

Message & affirmations

Today, I listen to the still small voice within as I let it guide me in my intention in my thoughts, words and actions.

My personal experiences of this card

When the 2 of Pentacles comes up for me I see it as a nudge to take a moment and examine where in my life I might be trying too hard to control and where I might be able to let go and look at the bigger picture. Trying to control every aspect is a waste of energy. Where should my focus be?

Life is fluid and ever-changing and will roll on regardless. Can I learn to roll with it?

Events, situations & readings

In a work/career/business spread:
If you’ve ever taken on too much at work or got bogged down in the details and lost sight of the big picture, you’ll relate only too well with the 2 of Pentacles. Could it be time stop, take stock and delegate? And how are you managing your work/life balance?

This card could also point to changes that might be taking place in your work life. How might you cope with this situation?

In a relationship spread:
The 2 of Pentacles invites us to take a look at what’s going on in the wider context of a relationship. Could you be prioritising ‘stuff’ over your relationship? Does it need more of your attention?

This card also encourages us to examine how we cope with change in our closest relationships.

People & interaction with other cards

With The Wheel, the 2 of Pentacles emphasises the inevitability of change in life. How you manage the ups and downs is up to you.

When the 2 of Pentacles comes up with Temperance it may suggest a need to seek a more healthy balance in life.

The appearance of The Tower with the 2 of Pentacles could be a warning to get your head out of the minutiae of life long enough to see that big changes with the potential to cause major disruption could be going on while you weren’t looking. Look up!

Questions, prompts & insights

Are you currently suffering from overwhelm? Life admin? Work? People?

What things are beyond your control? And how can you deal with letting go of them?

How can you find balance in your life: work, home, relationships?

Featured decks & credits:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.

The animated image of the 2 of Pentacles is part of an ongoing AI art Tarot project by Still Small Voice Tarot.