5 of Pentacles

Keywords & phrases

• Financial insecurity
• Scarcity mindset
• Hardships and challenges
• Difficult changes
• Out in the cold
• Paranoia
• Worry about physical wellbeing
• Self-isolation
• Difficulty asking for/accepting help

First impressions

Yet more hardship wrought by the Tarot 5s here in this card

What is happening in the card?

In the 5 of Pentacles, we see two bedraggled individuals making their way through the blizzard on a cold, dark winter’s night. Dressed in rags, on hobbling on crutches, they represent the miserable ones, the poor and homeless, the sick and the walking wounded. These people are on the fringes.

They do not look up as they make their way past the glow that emanates from the church’s beautiful stained glass window. It seems that the comfort and warmth that might be on offer inside is not for the likes of them.

Are they truly locked out or do they choose not to enter and receive sanctuary?

In the window itself, we see 5 Pentacles arranged in the pattern of the first five Sephirot of the Tree of Life – from Keter to Geburah.

How can we relate to this card?

This is what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. There is a sense of ‘unbelonging’ here and of judging ourselves to be unworthy and perhaps projecting that judgement onto others.

There is something Dickensian about this card and in Tarot and the Gates of Light, Mark Horn likens the scene in the 5 of Pentacles to Dickens’  A Christmas Carol when the Ghost of Christmas Future demonstrates how “judgement without compassion leads to suffering”.

Message & affirmations

Just for today, I do not worry and I gratefully accept kindness when it is offered.

My personal experiences of this card

It was in the 5 of Pentacles that I really started to grasp the connection between the Minor Arcana and the Tree of Life. The 5 of Pentacles is associated with the 5th Sephira Geburah in the realm of Assiyah – which simply translated means challenge, restriction, judgement and discipline in the physical/material world. I understand the experience of these concepts.

I also understand how hard it is to ask for and accept help at times.

Events, situations & readings

In a work/career/finance spread:
This may indicate work stress and worry about finances. Perhaps a reluctance to seek or accept help arising from pride or fear.

In a relationship spread:
The 5 of Pentacles may speak of feelings of insecurity and isolation within a relationship or feeling on the outs of a friendship group.

People & interaction with other cards

In a reading with challenging cards such at Tower could indicate that you have real concerns about your security, financial or otherwise.

With balancing cards such as the 6 of Swords or 6 of Pentacles there is a suggestion that help is available if you are willing to accept it. The Strength card could offer the courage and confidence that you need to rise to the challenge.

If this card appears with The Hierophant it may be that seeking some spiritual guidance will provide some much needed grounding as you face the changes ahead.

Questions, prompts & insights

What are you anxious or feeling insecure about right now?

Are you struggling with a change of circumstances?

Are your fears grounded in reality? How can you face them courage and optimisim? 

Is there help on offer? Will you take it? Do you feel worthy?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Smith Tarot. 

The other featured image of the 5 of Pentacles is part of an ongoing creative Tarot project by Still Small Voice Tarot combining digital collage and AI generative art.