TAROTKing of Pentacles
Upright
Mastery in a domain leading to material success and total control of your life.
Being in a position of wealth and success that allows you to rule your own destiny.
Disciplined and fair leadership leading to financial success.
An entrepreneur, business orientated person, manager or a rich associate or relative.
Intuition
The King of Pentacles in this deck is the God Hades.
We may consider ourselves rich in this world, but our time here is fleeting, and the eternity that follows is spent under the rule of this king, making him the wealthiest king of all.
Reversed
Greed, mismanagement, unreliability or financial losses.
Severe lack of financial control leading to lack of control and stability in your life.
Lack of proper finances or loss of wealth.
A focus on material goals, greed or status.
A lack of character when it comes to honesty with money.
Astrologia
A rare mix of passion and ambition and strong communication, coupled with a practical nature. Very good financial stability; a wealthy leader. Can have difficulty expressing emotion, appearing cold.
King of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents inner expertise in material wealth and how to use it, but the next card has outer expertise; all the wealth in the world belongs to him.
The King of Pentacles is the King of the element of Earth. All sustenance is rooted in the ground. The sun may shed life giving light upon us but without the soil, we cannot grow anything.
All our gold, silver and jewels also comes from his kingdom, our homes sit upon it and are built from stone and wood from the same place.
The King of Pentacles is therefore vital to our existence in ways we often forget; he is not just about the money in our pocket and the rings on our fingers!
But there is a far deeper truth about the King of Pentacles as seen in this deck that makes him the richest king of all…
We spend our time above the earth and may serve various royalty and governments we consider rich, but our time above the earth is brief when considered against the eternity that we serve in the underworld under our final King. It is this fact that makes him the wealthiest king of all.
Hades
Hades is both a place and a God. He was also known as Aïdes to the ancient Greeks, which means the unseen one. Like death itself, Hades was seen to be a pitiless rule-follower who was unmoved by prayer or earthly justice. He was also known as Ploutōn which means wealth giver or in Latin, Pluto (‘the rich one’).
Although we know his as Hades (Háidēs), that name was not used often for fear that uttering his name might make him appear (much like the Christian devil). He is rarely depicted in ancient art as he was so feared; painting him may draw his gaze towards you!
As noted in the previous section, his wealth comes from the fact that everything starts from the ground, and also ends in it.
Outside the Abduction of his Queen Persephone, Hades is depicted in myth as fair but also cold and without favor. Death saw no favorites, instead applying the same laws to everyone. Prince or pauper, all were the same once in the earth.
The only thing known to anger him was when mortals tried to escape his kingdom. In such matters only his wife the Queen of Pentacles could be reasoned with – if you wanted to return someone to the land of the living, you had to convince Persephone.
The archeological/historical origin of the God Hades is lost to antiquity, although there is a suspicion that Dionysus and Hades may be from the same ancient historical root.
Description and Symbology
We see the king of Pentacles, the God of the underworld and deep earth. He sits on a throne surrounded by the fruits of the earth: fruits that grow near the surface and gold and other precious items that are found in the ground. The two main animals associated with Hades are shown on his throne; carvings of black rams, and a screech owl (or 'barn owl' in the UK).
Behind his throne we see Cerberus, the three headed dog who guarded the gates of the kingdom of Hades. We also see a castle that the king has built with his wealth – a place of security and total protection. Few would want to break into the land of the dead as there is rarely a way back out!
The king
The King of Pentacles is dressed in fine but dark clothes, and his throne is deep underground. We see one leg of the king is armored, suggesting that despite his clothes, he is not just a man of fashion and finery – there is a fighting man underneath who is disciplined, courageous and committed person who has already won many battles in reaching his position.
The helmet
Hades means the unseen one and this often alludes to death itself as being unseen. In mythology, Hades actually was unseen. He owns a helmet that renders the wearer invisible. This was prized in Greek mythology and was borrowed to other Gods as a major weapon. The helmet a soldier would wear in ancient times was a major status symbol, and the King of Pentacles had the best one by a long way.
The castle
Behind the king we see the battlements of a castle. The king has used his wealth to build a place of security and protection. Few would go against the King of Pentacles as he is able to defend himself more than any of the other kings. He is both invisible and well protected. Trying to defeat death itself is always a fool’s errand!
The animals
We see black rams carved into the king’s throne, and a screech owl sitting on it. Horned animals are often symbolic of the earth, and the screech owl was thought to be a summoning call for someone to join the dead (and this belief was widespread, as it exists in many ancient cultures – not surprising as the call is very frightening in the dead of night!).
Cerberus
Cerberus guards the gates of Hades, preventing escape back into the land of the living. We see him behind the King’s throne. Cerberus represents the vigilance, loyalty and strength the King has at his disposal (and when Hades is angered, the ferocity!).
The riches of the earth
The wealth of the King of Pentacles is strewn around the throne; fertile greenery and the fruits of the earth (both edible fruits and precious metals/jewels). Not only does the king of Pentacles have more resources than any other King, he can also deny the resources of his enemies because he owns the earth. Again, not a king to go against!
Tips for Readings
The following table shows the upright and reverse meanings for general questions. The last row ('Yes/No') is useful when you are picking a single card to decide a yes or no decision.
Upright
Reversed
A time of stability and growth will result in deep love and meeting joint goals.
Initial attraction comes through physical desire and initial compatibility but deep love comes through being on the same path and working together for a fulfilling life. This card suggests the work has been done and there will be a period of fulfillment.
For new relationships, the card suggests commitment. The relationship will grow and deepen so long as both of you maintain this commitment and work towards joint goals.
The reverse card suggests money over love, a failure to maintain financial security (resulting in family insecurity or a weakening of the relationship).
There may also be a sense of stubbornness, inertia and playing safe. This will cause a lack of growth within the relationship.
Finally, there may be greed or a failure to value each other over career, wealth, status or the trappings of success.
This card warns that true wealth is understanding the value of things, especially the ones that are really important such as each other – and doing it before you lose them.
Professional stability is on the cards, enriching the rest of your life through enabling you to achieve personal goals.
There may be a move to a senior role or an appreciation of your skills as meeting a high level of competence.
Whatever career move you make, choose wisely you an option to further yourself significantly will be available, and you are advised not to be reticent in taking it because success is on your side!
Starting a new business now also has a positive aspect.
Poor planning, not meeting goals and losing income may be likely unless you can change your path.
There may be dissatisfaction or being looked over when it comes to promotion.
Now is not the time to make big decisions or make major changes. Far better to recognize your failings of how your current situation is constraining you, and make a solid plan for change before making your move, as acting rashly (or taking the easy option) may have been one of your failings that brought you here.
A material stability in your life at the moment should also translate to physical health so long as you are not falling to the diseases associated with wealth and a sedentary lifestyle.
Make sure you are exercising your body and not creating your current material stability through overwork or excessive hours – you already have the success needed to take the foot off the accelerator and enjoy the scenery on your journey!
A lack of security in your life, or overworking for little gain may be a problem.
The problem may also be caused by complacency or over-indulgence in luxury or immediate pleasures.
Whatever the root problem, you are creating health problems for the future. You may think this is caused by a lack of time or resources, but remember that good health is rarely expensive and bad health is caused by bad decisions.
You are experiencing a time of elevated success in the material world and this will convert to a move forward in your spiritual journey so long as you are able to differentiate between wealth and value.
This is an important consideration that this card brings to our attention. The earth is there for growth; planting seeds and watching them grow, then consuming the resulting fruits in a way that causes us to also grow.
Without this distinction, we become stunted by materialism and the cult of comparing ourselves to others rather than comparing ourselves against our own goals and comparing our growth against our previous selves.
A lack of practical success is leaving you dissatisfied in life.
It is time to consider why this failure is happening.
It may be lack of progression in career, a lack of patience to create the resources you need, or simply that your dreams are larger than your current horizons.
The card suggests the things you want will come only through a sensible and practical plan and the hard work.
Decisions related to finances and wealth generation will be positive, so now is a good time to concentrate on them.
Anything that may mean a positive change of income (a career move, investments, buying and selling) should be considered now as it will have a high chance of a successful outcome.
Now is also a good time to make financial plans. Fight complacency and fear when it comes to investing your time and money as there is a good chance of success if you put in the time, practical planning and take calculated risks.
Finally, remember that wealth is not the end goal – you need to consume your money wisely and towards your benefit and growth to become truly wealthy!
Financial losses or not enough resources to make your plans a reality are holding you back.
These may be caused by poor planning, gambling rather than investing, or squandering the chances you have been given through complacency and accepting your current position rather striving for more, or a lack of entrepreneurship, or simply a disdain for any material gains as excess.
It is time to correct past mistakes by realizing there are no get rich quick plans that last. Hard work, slow and steady gains through investment, recognizing scams for what they are by controlling your emotions and FOMO (fear of missing out) and a good practical plan with sensible goals are the only things that work.
Yes through mastery in wealth generation and creating a stable and happy future through ample resources.
No through mismanagement and poor planning or a reluctance to put in the work or retain the required skills.
Reading the Card
Like all court cards, the King of Pentacles can represent people or things other than yourself:
- A time of exceptional prosperity that puts you firmly in control of your life.
- Generosity or promoting higher aims and causes through a position that allows you to promote both. This comes from knowing true wealth is not a number in a bank account, but converting money into things that are much more valuable, and especially being able to help those close to you or those who need aid.
- A person who is ambitious or a phase of your life where you feel the same ambitions.
- A person or organization that is both confident and authoritative in their domain. Whatever this entity is, they will have built up wealth through their persona or skills. This may be an entrepreneur, business idea or investment.
- A person who is wealthy, successful and reliable. They often dress smartly. They have a strong sense of responsibility to their goals or people under their care. This may be a professional or person who is knowledgeable within their domain, giving them social standing. They are fair and practical in their dealings, and they tend to follow the rules, but may choose not to get emotionally involved. If the person is older than you, they may be a role model for achievement and finding success in life.
- A wealthy relative who is older than you and has a successful life-path that you would wish to emulate.
- In a business or career environment, the King of Pentacles may represent upper management, C-level, or a company owner.
- When reversed, the card can point to a micro-manager, or someone who values wealth for its own sake. This person can appear materialistic and greedy or cold. The reversed card can also point to financial losses. It can point to mistaking wealth for value. Money does not make you wealthy. Consuming wealth to create value for yourself and those things you care about is true wealth.
When reading the ‘upright card’ and ‘reversal’ sections below, note that although the text refers to you it could actually be any of the above. The question being asked (or your first thoughts when you see the card) will suggest who or what the card refers to.
The upright card
The upright King of Pentacles represents mastery in wealth and resources. You will see a period where you have control of your destiny because of your wealth, or your ability to aid the things you hold in high value.
Bear in mind this card does not immediately make you rich, but rich in the sense that you have what you need to become secure and happy on your own terms.
For example, someone who wants the best for their young family and sees this card in a reading will not suddenly become a millionaire. They will instead find the resources to maintain their young family in relative comfort.
The King of Pentacles suggests that continued success will come from taking a practical route, along with a solid belief in your cause.
Finally (and perhaps most importantly) the card also suggests an appreciation of true value rather than wealth. We often believe we are poor until the day something is taken away from us, and only then do we realize what really made us rich:
- The richer and wiser you who thinks back to the poorer version of yourself that had no money but also no care in the world, the confidence of youth and all the time in the world. In hindsight and from older and more experienced eyes, we were always richer when we had our youth and carefree lives, yet believed we had nothing.
- The person who looks at their photo album and remembers the people no longer there. The past may have been poorer, but why does it often seem to contain far more friends, family, and good company than today?
- The parents who remember their young family getting by in earlier times. The family may have thrived and grown older and richer, moving away to new lives, but when were the times the parents remember as the best?
Hades was often called the wealth giver, because although everything has to return back to him eventually, he did not take the things we hold dearest… at least not so soon such that we never realize their true value.
Sometimes wealth is knowing what you already have is priceless. True wealth is quality relationships, purpose, and health.
True wealth is quality relationships, purpose, and health
The reversal
The reversed King of Pentacles points to failures associated with either a lack or loss of wealth, a lack of the appreciation of real value, or simple greed and a vulgar relationship with wealth.
The reversed card can point to financial problems such as a loss of job or lack of income, a financial scam, or a poor purchasing decision.
It can also suggest a lifestyle that does not lead to wealth leading to stability and personal growth. This includes:
- Wanting wealth and success as a means to fame or recognition rather than as a means of caring for the people and causes we hold dear. Beauty is only skin deep… unless it starts from the bone. Be a better person on the inside and it will show through to the outside.
- Taking out expensive loans to pay for things that will not appreciate in value nor usefulness. We’ve all done this at least once, and know it is wrong!
- Purchases that do nothing other than reflect a status we do not have. Buying beyond your means is a common issue in the world of image and social media. It inflates our ego at the expense of deflating our future.
Beauty is only skin deep… unless it starts from the bone.
The reversed card can point to a lack of drive or a lack of character. Both result in stagnation:
- Playing far too safe at work or in investments because you underplay your own worth. Investment is about minimizing risk, but doing that by taking no risks at all so you keep your wealth but it does nothing for you is not investment; it is stagnating.
- Being dishonest or taking what is not yours is a way to gain wealth but it also leaves you with a lack of character and stagnation in a spiritual sense.
- Micro-managing wealth or a business is the easiest way to creating a situation where wealth (or the creation of wealth) leads to strife and stagnation rather than personal growth and happiness. People will leave your company and you will one day realize your behavior was simply trying to control the facets of yourself that you hate. A micro-manager is someone who constantly makes mistakes themselves, so trusts nobody!
A micro-manager is someone who constantly makes mistakes themselves, so trusts nobody!
Finally, the card can point to fear of losing your wealth or position. Not enriching your own life and those things you care for creates nothing but a rich and unhappy corpse. The only person who will love you will be Hades, because he gets another rich fool to add to his coffers…
Card Design Process
The King of Pentacles was an easy card to design once it was realized that the Queen would be Persephone, Hecate would be the High Priestess, and Demeter would be the Empress.
The King as Hades fell into place simply because the mythology fits the card perfectly.
Further, once we see Hades as the King of Pentacles, a whole new meaning of wealth springs naturally to the forefront.
You can never take any of it with you, and it all goes to Hades in the end… so use to make this world better, making your time on this earth memorable for you and those you care for.
Final Words
The King of Pentacles represents complete mastery in your life due to a strong grasp of finances and wealth. You are able to follow your dreams and make provisions for the things you care deeply about because you have the resources to do so.
Reversed, it represents a failure to of the above, and may also point to a failure to grasp the difference between wealth and true value.
