Seven of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning

This card shows a young man working the land. He has paused to admire the beautiful results of his labor: a leafy plant heavy with ripening pentacles. His eyes are fixed on its coins, while another coin lies right at his feet, unnoticed.

The picture seems to say: there are other opportunities right under your nose. Do not be so foolish as to fixate on just one thing.

The Seven of Pentacles means delays and a test of patience. A good outcome and welcome changes are not far away; you simply have to wait, which takes faith and patience. Things are still developing. Stay calm, take the observer's seat, and resist the urge to speed them up. This is no time to rush yourself or the situation. An unripe fruit is unlikely to taste very good.

At the same time, the card asks you to look around and consider things from another angle. Could there be a different reason your garden is not growing? Perhaps you chose the wrong time or place to put your effort, which is why clear results have yet to appear.

Either way, the Seven of Pentacles gives you a reason to question your direction, clear away projects with no future, and notice other possibilities growing in life's garden.

Upright Seven of Pentacles: Key Meanings

• A positive result in the future; delays and slow progress.
• Gradual growth and success at work and in your personal life.
• Patience, hard work, and persistence in pursuing a goal.
• Cutting away what is unnecessary, weeding out weak prospects, and ending unprofitable projects.

The reversed Seven of Pentacles speaks of hopes and expectations that come to nothing. Effort and results do not always balance out. Your crop is sparse, your work has been in vain, and a cold, hungry winter lies ahead. What you planned will not happen, because a fatal flaw was there from the start. Perhaps you let your guard down, trusted dishonest colleagues or partners, made bad investments, or gambled away a large sum.

The card warns of debts that will never be repaid, all kinds of trouble with borrowers and creditors, wasted effort, and disloyal partners.

You may be too restless and anxious—or, at the other extreme, full of doubts, indecisive, and slow to act. Either way, put your plans aside until a better time. By swimming against the current, forcing events, and knocking at a closed door, you risk pouring far too much energy into something that leads nowhere.

Reversed Seven of Pentacles: Key Meanings

• Shattered dreams, losses, financial problems, missed profits, and unemployment.
• Poor investments, debts, failure, a falling-out, and disappointment.
• Depression, anxiety, thoughtlessness, recklessness, and inner turmoil.

In a love reading, the upright Seven of Pentacles describes a relationship taking shape at an unhurried pace. Little by little, from the first introduction to the first date and each meeting after that, you and your partner get to know each other and learn to fit together.

Try not to force events or hurry your sweetheart: the time has not come yet. A large, sturdy building needs a solid foundation. Right now, you have the chance to lay one for a serious, lasting relationship.

Reversed, the card turns this picture around, pointing to empty hopes and a relationship with no future.

How They Love

Upright, this card describes someone steady and patient in love. They are ready for a serious, committed relationship but will not rush: love needs time to ripen.

Reversed, it describes someone inclined to hurry romance along. As a result, their feelings can be immature and their actions poorly thought through.

In a career reading, the Seven of Pentacles points to delays or hard work that still needs doing. It can mean a small business bringing modest profits, or a low salary that covers only day-to-day needs.

Every penny is hard-earned, and you need to economize to stay afloat. Still, there is hope of better returns ahead. You may be working now to build experience and other resources, expecting them to pay off later. Patience and persistence are required as you work toward your goal.

Reversed, the card turns this picture around, pointing to debts and effort spent in the wrong direction.

Upright, this card describes someone persistent and focused. They can work patiently, trusting that the seeds they plant will eventually bear a generous harvest.

Reversed, it describes someone facing difficulties or money problems. The goal they worked toward for so long has not brought the rewards they expected.

Upright, the card advises you to invest money or effort in a promising project you know well. It will pay off in time.

Reversed, it advises you to avoid projects built on the promise of future returns for now. You risk losing time or money. Or both.

Upright, this card gives your situation a very favorable outlook. Everything you have put your time and energy into will bear good fruit!

Reversed, the outcome is uncertain. Money troubles and unwise investments of cash or effort could get in your way.

Mercury interacting with Venus, and Mercury in Libra: rewards for hard work, financial success, and useful social connections.

The Fool — Waiting in vain, a failing business, an idea with no future.

The Magician — Earning interest on an investment, a long-delayed construction project, hopes of profit.

The High Priestess — Investing, an informant, trading securities.

The Empress — A long-term project, subsidies, paying for education.

The Emperor — Buying securities or property, receiving dividends, investing in the future.

The Hierophant — Having students, developing a philosophy, a method of your own.

The Lovers — The lure of profit, an offered bribe, a gift with strings attached.

The Chariot — Support from a large company or involvement in a community organization, working for prestige and reputation.

Strength — A share in state assets, a subsidy or benefits, buying into a building project or taking out a mortgage.

The Hermit — Opening a bank account; time-tested guarantees; a deposit.

Wheel of Fortune — An established business; steady gains; a favorable time to invest.

Justice — Suing former partners; failing to receive promised profits; empty government guarantees.

The Hanged Man — Delayed wages; red tape; something going missing or fraud.

Death — An unprofitable investment; a mistaken forecast; getting less than you expected.

Temperance — Dividends; an account at a state-owned bank; moving funds into gold or securities.

The Devil — A pyramid scheme; dipping into savings; a rainy day.

The Tower — Losing a bank deposit or money on the stock market; investing in something worthless.

The Star — Expectations that may not be met; a gap between dreams and reality; inaction.

The Moon — Financial secrets exposed; a mistaken investment; material losses.

The Sun — Getting more than expected; being able to spend on fun; saving for something substantial.

Judgment — A long-running feud or resentment; a bad mood; pessimism.

The World — Reuniting with loved ones or friends; easing tension; knowing your worth.

Ace of Wands — A pause or vacation; waiting for payment; a long-term investment or contract.

Two of Wands — Getting an extension; considering long-term investments; analyzing the securities market.

Three of Wands — Investing in securities; buying property; getting an education.

Four of Wands — A small investment in the future; setting things aside; investing in a home.

Five of Wands — Weighing whether funding makes sense; assessing profit; comparing actual income with investment.

Six of Wands — Temporary difficulties; public funds; banking.

Seven of Wands — Waiting for events to unfold; inner tension; feeling physically worse.

Eight of Wands — A drawn-out process; small amounts of money coming in; unproductive long-term investments.

Nine of Wands — Heightened attention; cautious investments; looking after your future.

Ten of Wands — A long wait; delays; tight finances.

Page of Wands — Investing in education; postponing a financial matter; foresight.

Knight of Wands — Impatience; an inability to follow a plan; inflated expectations.

Queen of Wands — Waiting for payment confirmation; assessing a business's profitability; a nerve-racking process.

King of Wands — Hopes for the future; seeking stability; risky investments.

Ace of Swords — Fear of putting an idea into practice; wasting your talents; working in the shadows or putting plans off until the last moment.

Two of Swords — Pausing active work; waiting to build up startup capital; a conflict and an idle business.

Three of Swords — Running out of patience; wasted efforts; disappointment in new investments.

Four of Swords — A glimmer of hope; looking forward to seeing a friend or acquaintance; a chance to lift your mood.

Five of Swords — Settling a conflict after defeat; a quiet spell to rethink events; nursing a grudge for a long time.

Six of Swords — Delaying the inevitable; seeking more time to repay a loan; looking for better options.

Seven of Swords — Losing a substantial sum; an ill-considered investment; handing money to fraudsters.

Eight of Swords — The last of your savings; awaiting a deal's result; hopes of an advantageous marriage or help from relatives.

Nine of Swords — Anxiety over delays; trying to recover what was lost; paying for past carelessness.

Ten of Swords — A hopeless situation; depression with no glimmer of joy; seeing no prospects; making no attempt to change things.

Page of Swords — Risking your savings; eyeing untapped capital or making bold forecasts; overly naive plans; being wealthy in words alone.

Knight of Swords — Dipping into savings early; losing interest on a deposit; receiving less than you expected.

Queen of Swords — Impatience; failing to save for a rainy day; living for today.

King of Swords — A new direction at work; losing your bearings; waiting for a difficult situation to be resolved.

Ace of Cups — Inflated expectations; unsettling delays; bureaucracy dragging things out; disappointment.

Two of Cups — Selfishness on both sides; falling victim to deception; a romance going nowhere.

Three of Cups — Saving for an event; preparing for a celebration; spending everything on fun.

Four of Cups — Investing money independently; secret income; knowing how to save.

Five of Cups — Hopes for the future; faith in something good; making a small profit.

Six of Cups — An investment in someone's name; caring for the future; foresight and prudence.

Seven of Cups — Illusions about investments; wanting to live on dividends; researching bank deposits.

Eight of Cups — Putting off important tasks or good ideas; fear of starting your own business; living on hopes.

Nine of Cups — A hidden calculation; plans to grow wealthy; modest savings.

Ten of Cups — Disunity; everyone looking after their own interests; family above all.

Page of Cups — A long wait for profit; a lack of patience or focus; trying to keep your composure.

Knight of Cups — Patience; composure; keeping something secret for a good cause or a venture's success.

Queen of Cups — A patient woman or wife; unappreciated efforts; familiar comforts.

King of Cups — Receiving more than expected; counting your chickens before they hatch; boasting about minor achievements.

Ace of Pentacles — Waiting for a paycheck or profits; tempting promises; exceptional returns.

Two of Pentacles — An unreliable employee; here today, elsewhere tomorrow; never staying in one place for long; poor pay.

Three of Pentacles — Working under an agreed arrangement; dissatisfaction with low pay or working conditions.

Four of Pentacles — Investing everything you have; waiting for profits; nervousness and constant worry.

Five of Pentacles — Waiting for what was promised; living in straitened circumstances; getting by on a pension or benefits.

Six of Pentacles — Giving in the hope of a favor in return; helping with a particular aim in mind; making useful connections; pleading poverty.

Eight of Pentacles — Waiting for a good paycheck; working hard for money; sales commissions; a hardworking man.

Nine of Pentacles — Marrying a wealthy heiress; living for pleasure; a marriage of convenience; courting a woman for your own advantage.

Ten of Pentacles — Counting on a substantial inheritance; a clever long-term plan; saving for old age; thinking ahead.

Page of Pentacles — Investing in education; professional development courses; the first steps toward mastering a skill.

Knight of Pentacles — Becoming an excellent specialist; genuine talent and skill; extensive work experience; efficiency in everything.

Queen of Pentacles — Developing technology; foresight; backup plans for every eventuality.

King of Pentacles — Starting capital; bank deposits; farsighted investments; a wealthy man or suitor.