IV
Four of Pentacles
Symbols in the artwork
A figure seated on a stone chair cradles a pentacle disc before their chest with both hands. There is one placed above the head and one below each foot, making a total of four discs. Behind them, a city with water, a bridge, and lit lights stretches out, surrounded by flowers and vines. The posture of tightly holding the discs suggests a desire to protect what is precious. On the other hand, the seemingly immobile posture prompts reflection on whether one is exerting too much effort to maintain control. The figure does not necessarily mean greed, nor does the image predict loss.
Sources and interpretation
The original deals with the stability of possession and attachment to what one has; the reversed deals with delay and opposition. Even in modern materials, both sharing/spending and greed/clutching appear, so the reversed meaning is not fixed to one single meaning.
Written with reference to Rider–Waite–Smith symbolism and modern interpretations.
A. E. Waite's original text · Tina Gong / Labyrinthos modern interpretation
Upright
Preservation of wealth and stability · Attachment to possessions · Fear of loss
It's okay to protect what you value. Just check if you are holding on too tightly.
Core meaning
The Four of Pentacles symbolizes the desire to protect one's accumulated wealth and life stability. While there is a positive aspect of frugality and preservation, the possessiveness stemming from the fear of loss is also significant.
The way the figure guards the four discs with hands and feet reflects a yearning for stability. However, if one blocks all change out of fear of loss, it can also limit one's own room to move. Try to distinguish between what must be protected and what can be changed a little. It would be good to examine if what was necessary before is still the case now. You can leave room for new experiences while still protecting what is precious.
What to keep in mind
Do not automatically assume that wanting to protect your things is greed. Instead, reflect on whether you are preventing another person's choices just to make yourself feel secure.
One small step today
Choose one thing you wish to protect and write down why it is necessary. Also, separate what you want to keep and what you are willing to change a little.
A question to consider
Will protecting this make me comfortable, or is it blocking what I actually want to do?
A thought for today
Keep what is precious. Slowly release what can be held less tightly.
Reversed
Letting go of attachment · Unstable finances · Over-clutching and overspending
Check if your desire to protect or let go is causing a burden on your life.
Core meaning
The reversed Four of Pentacles has interpretations of letting go and sharing, as well as interpretations of clutching too tightly or spending excessively due to anxiety. Therefore, the reversed meaning is not read as simply being able to share at ease.
You might be holding on too tightly due to anxiety, or conversely, you might want to clear everything out at once due to feeling suffocated. What feels liberating in the moment can be different from what feels comfortable later. Think about how your life will change after making a change. Writing down why you want to keep something and why you want to let it go can help you understand your heart. It is okay to change small things first and make decisions later.
What to keep in mind
Letting go is not always the better choice. Rather than sharing or changing everything out of anxiety or feeling suffocated, first look at what will be needed later.
One small step today
Choose one thing you want to share or change, and first decide what you want to keep. Try changing small parts and check if it is okay a few days later.
A question to consider
Am I making the choice that is right for me now, or am I just trying to get rid of an uncomfortable feeling quickly?
A thought for today
There is no need to hold onto everything or let everything go. Start changing from what is comfortable for me.
Tarot offers a way to reflect on yourself through its symbols. Read it as a point of reference, not a certain prediction of the future or another person's feelings.