Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning

This tarot Major Arcana depicts a crowned man clutching a golden coin in his hands, as if protecting it or using it as a shield from the world. Two more pentacles lie beneath his feet, with another shining above his crown, akin to a bright sun. His face carries a guarded and distrustful expression.

In the background of the tarot card, the homes and towers of a wealthy city rise up—likely the hero's own domains, the focus of his power. The image of the card beautifully mirrors its essential meaning—retaining what has been accumulated, preserving achieved success, material wealth, and social status.

The Four of Pentacles tarot card in a spread suggests that you can now relax and stop worrying about the future—it is well secured, predictable, and defined. Even under unfavorable circumstances, a financial crisis doesn't loom—your position has a substantial margin of safety. You've focused all your energy and strength on accumulating wealth and power, and on protecting the blessings you've already earned!

Key meanings of the upright Four of Pentacles card

• Prosperity, a secure life, absence of worries.
• Material well-being, property, a good premonition.
• Inheritance, a generous gift.

The reversed Four of Pentacles card signals problems in the financial area. You may have overlooked something in your plans, and now your ventures are at risk of failing, which could lead to financial losses. Alternatively, you might have an incorrect attitude towards money, prioritizing it over everything else, which transforms the earning and possession of it into a goal in itself, grieving over every spent coin and denying yourself and your loved ones anything in order to accumulate wealth.

However, the reversed Four of Pentacles tarot card could also describe the opposite behavior—you do not know how to control your expenses, spending everything you earn or inherit. If you don't change your behavior, the reversed Four of Pentacles threatens to lead to bankruptcy and poverty.

This tarot card in its reversed form may also warn that due to an attachment to money and material things, you have stopped trusting people, replacing beautiful feelings and creative impulses with avaricious calculations. By saving emotions, you have pushed away those around you and created a vacuum. Talks and thoughts about money poison you from within and spoil the atmosphere at home. Business and career consume all your time, and you don't have any left for your family, where relationships are deteriorating daily, up to a complete breakdown.

The Four of Pentacles card calls for an urgent change—break this vicious circle, step over the protective barrier, show more sincerity in relationships with others, remember the value of family and friendship in your life. Otherwise, you'll wither like Koschei the Deathless over his gold! Believe that the joy from shared success is much brighter and stronger than the small stingy joy of loneliness!

Overall, when the reversed Four of Pentacles tarot card appears in a spread, it is necessary to balance the external and internal in your life—don't let pentacles close your heart!

Key meanings of the reversed Four of Pentacles card

• Greed, avarice, acquisitiveness, fanatical attachment to money.
• Disputes with relatives, inheritance division, property division, losses.
• Slowing down, weakness, wastefulness, frivolity, impracticality.
• Dissatisfaction, hindrances in business, lack of income.

In love spreads, the upright Four of Pentacles card speaks of a desire to wholly belong to and possess a loved one, as well as a drive to hold onto what has been achieved.

A bachelor might be entirely content with his status, so he's not prepared to alter his status and change his habits. Hence, there can be a coldness towards the opposite sex, selfishness, a reluctance to engage, and resist forming new relationships. In established unions, partners value their relationship but may often quarrel, unwilling to share their loved one with friends, business, or hobbies.

In the reversed position, the card's meaning changes to the opposite, indicating an exaggerated sense of ownership and partners' unwillingness to take responsibility.

When reading for a suitor or a loved one

In a reading for a suitor or partner, the upright card suggests that your chosen one strives for stability in love. Good fortune and a strong family—these are what he sees as the most significant accomplishments in life.

The reversed card indicates that your chosen one is overly focused on material wealth, and this hampers his romantic relationships.

In business spreads, the Four of Pentacles card speaks of stability in affairs and finances. You've found your place in the sun, secured your position, are receiving a steady income, and have no intentions of making any changes for now.

For you, the most important thing is to maintain the stability of the existing state, not to conquer new heights and grasp for the stars. Perhaps it's not as thrilling and joyous, but there's a charm in a predictable and calm life. Plans are being gradually realized, everything is under control, and the future appears cloudless.

In the reversed position, the card's meaning changes to the opposite, indicating a shaky state of finances and career.

When reading for a person, the upright card is interpreted as someone satisfied with their financial affairs. Their income is high and stable, much to the envy of those around them!

In the reversed position, it represents someone dissatisfied with their financial situation. They see a lack of money as the source of all their troubles.

In the upright position, the card advises you to focus closely on the issues of financial independence—your chances of success are excellent right now!

Appearing in the reversed position in the spread, the card suggests you take a lighter approach to your financial problems: a negative mindset won't help you resolve them successfully.

If the card appears in the upright position, the forecast for your situation is very favorable. As a result, you'll have every reason to rejoice in your successful, prosperous state of affairs!

In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is ambiguous. As a result, your attitude towards money and success may get in the way. Try to approach this issue more calmly.

With card 0, the Fool - Dissatisfaction with the workplace, modest life, pettiness.

With card 1, the Magician - Clear expense planning, frugality, low salary.

With card 2, the High Priestess - A stash, an attempt to save money, a financial deposit.

In combination with card 3, the Empress - Stable income, setting money aside for a rainy day, small savings.

With card 4, the Emperor - Low profitability, problems with promotion, a stingy suitor.

With card 5, the Hierophant - Solitary existence, a routine life, lack of means.

With card 6, the Lovers - A wealthy bride, a prudent girl, a good housekeeper, or a domestic admirer.

With card 7, the Chariot - Ill-considered investment, financial concerns, just enough salary.

With card 8, Strength - A wealthy gift, a disguised bribe, a stingy admirer or friend.

With card 9, the Hermit - Savings for old age, pension, a bank deposit, or long-term investment in securities, a stingy man.

With card 10, Wheel of Fortune - Accumulating capital, gradual growth, no risk.

With card 11, Justice - Reward, working for the government, giving or receiving bribes, a secure job.

With card 12, the Hanged Man - Loan deferment, middle class, long-term investments.

With card 13, Death - Self-treatment, loneliness, being a victim of circumstances.

With card 14, Temperance - Reserves for a rainy day, setting aside a small sum or starting to save, budgeting and concern for the future.

With card 15, the Devil - Deceiving colleagues with finances or encountering a miser, stingy person.

With card 16, the Tower - Living on the last savings, not enough until the next paycheck, stopping savings for unforeseen events.

With card 17, the Star - Illusion of financial security, dreams of increasing wealth, lack of confidence to implement a plan.

With card 18, the Moon - Thinking in terms of "what if," hiding part of the profit, setting money aside for a rainy day.

With card 19, the Sun - A home for a young family, maternity allowance for a child, middle class.

With card 20, Judgment - Missing an opportunity, lack of friends or good relationships with relatives, fear of being left with nothing.

With card 21, the World - Prejudices, biases, closed-mindedness, or limited thinking.

With the Ace of Wands — Lack of funding, strict budget, an attempt to confine oneself to certain limits, parental care, and advice.

With the Two of Wands — Considering investments, seeking approval, trying to avoid risks.

With the Three of Wands — Prudence, saving for a rainy day, the ability to set aside money for significant purchases, being thrifty.

With the Four of Wands — Painful attachment to home, profits from real estate, small savings.

With the Five of Wands — Borrowing money from relatives or the bank, accusations of cowardice, looking out for one's own interests and maintaining order.

With the Six of Wands — Gaining authority, additional income, pursuing personal interests.

With the Seven of Wands — Insisting on one's own way, stable financial position, sticking to reliable earning schemes.

With the Eight of Wands — Visiting the bank, stable financial position, receiving payments, being thrifty.

With the Nine of Wands — Being cautious, having a strict budget, planning expenses.

With the Ten of Wands — Not receiving what was promised, delayed wages, stubbornness.

With the Page of Wands — Payment delays, bank loans, a small sum.

With the Knight of Wands — Small savings, disputes over money, making a claim for inheritance.

With the Queen of Wands — Strong grip on finances, establishing a profitable enterprise, saving up for a significant purchase.

With the King of Wands — Thriftiness, firm leadership, a limited budget.

With the Ace of Swords — Thinking practically, a conservative approach to business, time-tested perspectives.

With the Two of Swords — Achieving understanding, making an agreement, studying complex documentation, or uncovering hidden pitfalls.

With the Three of Swords — Losing financial stability, parting with familiar sources of income, the danger of losing possessions and savings.

With the Four of Swords — Unemployment, spending what was saved for unforeseen circumstances, reevaluating one's attitude towards possessions.

With the Five of Swords — Concerns about safety, attempts at revenge or deception, a dangerous situation.

With the Six of Swords — Leaning towards conservatism, aiming for stability, the need for a steady income.

With the Seven of Swords — Theft, extortion, forgery, or advice leading to loss of savings, trying to get the last bit.

With the Eight of Swords — Rigidity of thinking, outdated beliefs, being overly dependent on public opinion.

With the Nine of Swords — Suffering due to one's own greed, a clingy partner or admirer, a complainer and an overly cautious person.

With the Ten of Swords — Losing stability and confidence in the future, drastic changes, fear of what lies ahead.

With the Page of Swords — Criticizing the established way of life, fighting prejudices, advocating for change.

With the Knight of Swords — Securing financing, getting a loan for developing one's own business, finding a sponsor.

With the Queen of Swords — Holding on to what is rightfully yours, having a strong will and ability to defend oneself, having good connections, preserving the main capital during challenging times.

With the King of Swords — Greed and self-centeredness, a clingy suitor, an old bachelor with a bad temper, a lack of willingness to share experience or reveal secrets.

With the Ace of Cups — Long-awaited inheritance, a pleasant or valuable gift, increase in capital.

With the Two of Cups — When everything is satisfactory, pleasant cooperation, contentment and feeling settled.

With the Three of Cups — Borrowing money from friends, not revealing the existence of savings, benefiting from social connections.

With the Four of Cups — Having savings for a rainy day, not succumbing to persuasion, careful fact-checking.

With the Five of Cups — Tired of economizing, self-restraint, financial stability.

With the Six of Cups — Concealing one's vulnerability, hiding true feelings, acting indifferent.

With the Seven of Cups — Earning through inspiration, the labor of a writer or artist, artistic creations.

With the Eight of Cups — Mercantilism, unwillingness to share one's secrets and engage in relationships, avoiding risks.

With the Nine of Cups — Modest ambitions, finding joy in small things, a sober approach to savings.

With the Ten of Cups — A small reserve for a rainy day, a modest family, setting aside money for children's education.

With the Page of Cups — A well-thought-out contract or decision, self-confidence, enthusiasm, and hope for the future.

With the Knight of Cups — A generous gesture, giving away one's savings, helping others with the last of one's money.

With the Queen of Cups — A practical and hospitable hostess, a caring mother or wife, financial assistance from close relatives.

With the King of Cups — Financial security, having just enough without extravagance, the ability to enjoy what one has.

With the Ace of Pentacles — An underground millionaire, miser, or someone who pretends to be less well-off, saving little by little, setting aside for emergencies.

With the Two of Pentacles — Trying to hold on to what you have, desiring to acquire something unnecessary, reevaluating your attitude towards expenses and spending in general.

With the Three of Pentacles — Restoring depleted savings, having a single source of income, working towards a specific goal, interest in business development.

With the Five of Pentacles — The miser pays twice, missed opportunities, loss of health, limited mobility, destructive stubbornness.

With the Six of Pentacles — Giving away your last savings, counting every penny, being economical with yourself.

With the Seven of Pentacles — Investing everything you have, expecting profit, feeling nervous and constantly worried.

With the Eight of Pentacles — Working only for yourself, putting money first, being content with your current situation, the ability to save for the future.

With the Nine of Pentacles — Living off past savings, earning interest on investments, receiving a large inheritance.

With the Ten of Pentacles — A family with sufficient means, thrifty relatives, a family habit of saving, a joint family fund or business with relatives.

With the Page of Pentacles — A thrifty young woman, education on a government scholarship, school education, a diligent student.

With the Knight of Pentacles — A risk-averse person, gradual progress towards a comfortable life, consistency in actions, continuous planning.

With the Queen of Pentacles — A prudent lady, a careful buyer, the ability to find advantageous offers.

With the King of Pentacles — Being thorough, knowing the value of money and one's own skills, valuing one's time, engaging with a tutor.