The Four of Pentacles provides lessons about money and other resources. This card is about gathering, investing, and sharing what you have. It can be very positive, but it can also have a darker side.
Looking on the bright side, The Four of Pentacles is about investing in yourself to create a solid foundation. It can show you want to take care of yourself and build a secure future for the people you love. But on the other hand, this card is about hoarding your resources and wanting more, so it can stand for selfishness and greed. Use your surrounding tarot cards or your question to help you with your reading for this one.
When you see The Four of Pentacles reversed, it leans into the negative aspects of this card. It could mean that your search for security has turned into greed, and you’re becoming stingy and materialistic and fearful.
Or it could be that you’ve spent so much effort on becoming financially stable that you’ve veered into an obsession with money. It could also be that you’re having trouble trusting people because you think they might take advantage of what you have. Regardless of how it manifests here, it’s all fear.
On the other hand, this reversed card could show you’re having trouble managing your finances. Perhaps have money, but you’re not treating it well. Maybe you’re spending beyond your means, or you’re making risky short-term investments, or you’re just ignoring your money all together.
The reversed Four of Pentacles can also stand for a change in your priorities. Maybe you’re finally realizing money isn’t the key to happiness, and you want to release its grip on you. As a result, you might look to simplify your life and place more emphasis on experiences and people instead of material things.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay, so now let’s look at the ways you can read your reversed Four of Pentacles card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you’re looking for an obstacle standing in front of the card’s upright meaning.
For The Four of Pentacles, this means something is blocking your ability to achieve security and a comfortable future.
Say you pull the reversed Four of Pentacles thinking about your job. You’ve been working as the manager of a mom-and-pop bakery for years.
The owners are like family, and they’ve emotionally supported you through many changes in your life. But you finished college a year ago, and now your business degree is burning a hole in your pocket. You’re afraid to leave the business because the people mean so much to you, but you hardly make enough money to pay rent, much less save for the future.
Here, the reversed Four of Pentacles card tells you it’s okay to grow and move on. Just because you’re ready for something else doesn’t mean you can’t stay close with your employers. They care about you and want the best for you, and they probably assume you’ll want to move on anyway.
Talk to them about how you’re feeling and start looking for a job in your field. You can help them find someone new to take over the management position, so you’ll leave them in good hands. In the long run, it’s what’s best for everyone, and you can have a great friendship moving forward.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Four of Pentacles card is using the “opposite” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards this way, you look for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
So for The Four of Pentacles, instead of security and control, you have vulnerability and powerlessness. Things aren’t in your hands, and someone might be taking advantage of you.
For example, say you pull the reversed Four of Pentacles thinking about your romantic life. You’ve been seeing a girl for a few months, and you want to get more serious.
You’re a generous person, so you’re happy taking her out to fancy dinners and shows. You’ve bought her a few gifts and are always looking for ways to make her happy with material things. But she’s not nearly as interested as you are in the relationship, and she has no intention of settling down the way you want.
You’ve talked about this, and she’s glad to keep seeing you even though she knows you want different things. She’s having fun, and that’s all she wants right now. Here, the reversed Four of Pentacles card tells you to open your eyes to the situation.
This girl isn’t taking advantage of you, and she is being honest. Listen to her. Pursuing someone who doesn’t want the same thing that you do isn’t a healthy dynamic, and it won’t make you happy in the long run. Start looking to end the relationship or at least have a conversation so you can start seeing other people.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
You can also read your reversed Four of Pentacles using the “worse” card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
For The Four of Pentacles, this means you have financial security, but maybe you’re becoming greedy or materialistic in an effort to protect what you have.
Say you pull the reversed Four of Pentacles thinking about your living situation. You share a house with a roommate, and you’ve been living together for two years. At this point, they’re one of your best friends, but the two of you have very different lives.
You make good money working as a claims adjuster, and they are a bartender. Your roommate always pays their share, but they have fewer luxuries than you do. You have a whole room devoted to your music equipment, and you have the money to buy fun things like a VR headset and a big TV.
But even though you’re close with your roommate, you don’t share what you have with them, and they’re not allowed to use your stuff unless they ask first. Here, the reversed Four of Pentacles reminds you to be generous with your blessings.
It’s healthy to have boundaries, but don’t guard your possessions so much that it causes tension. Also, wouldn’t it be more fun to make music and play around in VR with someone else?
It’s natural to protect your nice things, but remember that they’re only things. A happy living situation is much more valuable, and you never know when your luck might change and you’ll need someone’s kindness instead.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
Finally, you can use the “no/not” meaning to read your reversed Four of Pentacles card. When you read your cards this way, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
So for The Four of Pentacles, this can mean “no investing in the future” or “no control.” You’re spending beyond your means and not working to build a secure future.
For example, you might pull the reversed Four of Pentacles thinking about your love of fashion and makeup. You’ve spent the past year getting in the best shape of your life, and now you’re having fun showing off what you have.
You’re buying flattering outfits and working on new makeup techniques you learned from your favorite YouTuber. But all these luxuries have been adding up, and last month, you had a hard time making rent.
Here, the reversed Four of Pentacles tells you to adjust your priorities. It’s a wonderful thing to be in shape and feel good about your body, and it’s fun to show it off, but reckless spending won’t make you fulfilled. You can have fun with fashion on a budget, too.
Try looking to consignment shops to find fun and unique pieces. Start your own YouTube channel to share what you love. Become a creator, not just a consumer.
It’s healthy and satisfying to celebrate yourself, but don’t spend so much on the fun now that you sacrifice your future goals and dreams.