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Few cards carry a reputation like Five of Pentacles.
Five of Pentacles upright
Hardship, scarcity, feeling left out in the cold, financial loss, isolation.
Five of Pentacles reversed
Recovery, help accepted, hardship ending, finding shelter, renewed hope.
Keywords: hardship, scarcity, feeling left out in the cold, financial loss, isolation
The classic reading (Waite, 1911)
- Upright: The card foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated—that is, destitution—or otherwise. For some cartomancists, it is a card of love and lovers—wife, husband, friend, mistress; also concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonized.
- Reversed: Disorder, chaos, ruin, discord, profligacy.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is the oldest layer of the card — modern readers soften and expand these meanings.
Golden Dawn correspondences
- title The Lord of Material Trouble
- Decan Mercury in Taurus
- planet Mercury
- zodiac Taurus
- decan 0–10
Fortune telling with Five of Pentacles
- Finances are getting tighter
- Prepare for a setback
The light and the shadow
In its light, Five of Pentacles: Recognizing your needs and taking action to fulfill them Doing as much as you can do with what little you have Admitting you need help Embracing the aid that comes your way Focusing on what you have versus what you don't Looking for the light at the end of the tunnel
The reversed trap of Five of Pentacles: Exaggerating your financial or physical needs Adopting a poverty mentality Refusing to support yourself Refusing offers of support Playing the martyr Turning down opportunities to improve your health or finances Wallowing in misery
Questions to ask Five of Pentacles
- What critical resources do I lack?
- What people or groups would come to my aid if I asked?
- How might an impoverished spirit be impacting my physical or financial condition?
The extended portrait, upright
The Five of Pentacles often represents a difficult time, particularly with regards to finances and material security. You may be experiencing financial hardship or material loss, and feeling left out in the cold. This card can also indicate feelings of isolation or exclusion, particularly from a social group or community. Despite these challenges, there is hope. The two figures in the card suggest that you do not have to face this hardship alone. Reach out to others for help and support.
The extended portrait, reversed
The Five of Pentacles reversed suggests a time of recovery and healing. You may have been through a difficult time recently, but now you are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This card can also indicate a need for forgiveness, either of yourself or others. Let go of any resentment or bitterness that you may be holding onto. This is a time for healing and moving on.
Card details
- Arcana: Minor Arcana — pentacles suit
- Yes or no: a leaning no
- Published: August 8, 2026
Read Five of Pentacles in context
- Five of Pentacles — love meaning
- Five of Pentacles — career meaning
- Five of Pentacles — money meaning
- Five of Pentacles — yes-or-no verdict
- Five of Pentacles reversed, in full
Five of Pentacles in combinations
- Five of Pentacles and Queen of Wands
- Five of Pentacles and Five of Cups
- Five of Pentacles and Five of Swords
- Five of Pentacles and Four of Wands