The Five of Pentacles can be one of the scariest and most unwanted cards in the entire tarot deck. This card is a warning to be prepared for tough times because they will inevitably come again.
So when you see the Five of Pentacles, it’s time to build up your reserves, take care of yourself, and ask for help. Trust that resources are available to you, even though you can’t see them, and it’s okay to lean on others for support.
This card usually stands for loss and poverty, but it can also mean you’re living in fear of bad things happening. Try focusing your energy on the positive outcomes you want to see and work to make them a reality.
When you see the Five of Pentacles reversed, it usually has a much more positive message. It can mean you’re recovering from a financial setback and regaining your footing. Maybe you just got a new job or someone has offered to help support you.
Remember that slow and steady wins the race, and it’ll take some time to be fully secure again. Have confidence in your abilities and continue to be careful with your funds.
The reversed Five of Pentacles can also show you’re coming out of a tough time not related to money. Maybe you’re slowly emerging from a period of isolation or recovering from an illness or injury. You will regain stability, but again remember to take things one step at a time and don’t place too much emphasis on being perfect.
Generally, the Five of Pentacles reversed carries a much more positive message than the upright card.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, so now let’s talk about how to read your reversed Five of Pentacles card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you look for an obstacle standing in front of the card’s upright meaning.
For the Five of Pentacles, this means something is blocking your hardships and losses. Someone is here to help you through tough times.
Say you pull the reversed Five of Pentacles after losing your job. You worked as a receptionist at a dentist’s office for years, but they just closed up shop. This has you feeling lost because it’s been your job your whole adult life, and now you don’t know what to do.
You’re worried about eating into your savings but feel you’re too old to find something new. But you have a good friend who works as a recruiter, and they’ve offered to help you look for something new and discuss your skills. You’ve been hesitating, though, because you don’t want to be a burden and you figure it won’t work out anyway.
Here, the reversed Five of Pentacles tells you to take the help when it’s offered. People don’t offer to help unless they care and want you to succeed, so don’t second-guess it. Even if you don’t find a new job through your friend, discussing your skills and potential is very helpful. Sometimes talking things out is all you need to gain some direction and motivation.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Five of Pentacles card is using the “opposite” card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you look for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Five of Pentacles, instead of poverty and hardships, you have wealth and comfort. Enjoy it!
For example, say you pull the reversed Five of Pentacles after receiving a big bonus at work. You work in tech sales, and the rewards can be enormous.
Lately, you’ve been on a hot streak, and the money is rolling in. You’ve booked a vacation in the Virgin Islands and you’re looking to get a new car too. Of course, you’re also doing the responsible things like contributing to your retirement accounts and living debt-free. But now is the time to enjoy your success and hard work.
There seems to be no limit to your potential, and you’re thriving. Invest this excess money in yourself and your self-care, so you can continue to perform at your best. You deserve all this, and more.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
You can also read your reversed Five of Pentacles using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards this way, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
With the Five of Pentacles, this can mean your hardships are causing you to isolate and shut out the people who can help.
Say you pull the reversed Five of Pentacles after suffering a serious injury. You were in a skiing accident, and you broke several bones and suffered a mild concussion. Since you’ve always been fit and active, it’s foreign to have your mobility limited.
You’re also embarrassed about your accident because you’re an expert skier, and you feel like this shouldn’t have happened. As a result, you’re shutting out your loved ones and not letting people come over to bring you food or check on your recovery. Your family is concerned and they want to be there for you, but you’ve mostly been in bed feeling ashamed and foolish.
Here, the reversed Five of Pentacles tells you not to be so hard on yourself. The people in your life just want to help because they love you. It hurts them to be shut out when you need help, and they can make things more comfortable for you. This is a great opportunity to strengthen your bonds with others and spend time catching up.
You might even end up looking back on this fondly if you only give your friends and family a chance to be there for you. Quit letting your wounded ego run the show, and let yourself be loved.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
Finally, you can read your reversed Five of Pentacles card using the “no/not” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Five of Pentacles, this means “no poverty” or “no hardships.” You’re feeling unsure about your choices and worried they might end in failure, but this card let’s you know you’re on the right track.
For example, say you pull the reversed Five of Pentacles thinking about your choice of major in college. You’re a talented musician, mostly playing keyboards but dabbling in everything. You’re also very skilled in music theory and have a solid grasp of audio production.
Even though you’re not sure what you want to do, music is your passion, and it’s hard for you to imagine studying anything else. But your family has warned you there’s no way to make a living in music and they think you’re wasting your degree on a pipe dream.
Here, the reversed Five of Pentacles tells you to stick with your choice. People end up doing all kinds of things with their college degrees, no matter the major. And there are plenty of opportunities in the music world alone. From being an audio engineer to a live performer, the sky’s the limit.
Don’t turn away from your passion because other people don’t understand. Following your dream will help you secure happiness in the future, so don’t doubt yourself!