Pentacles

The Suite of Pentacles

The suite of pentacles is associated with the element of earth and this is represented above by a recent symbol of a much older archetype; the earth mother. Although Pentacles are often used to represent wealth and money, they actually symbolize a much deeper wealth - the fruits of the earth. This includes all the earth's natural resources plus human husbandry of the earth to produce crops. More generally it can represent either the physical world or the hard work we usually have to put in to create anything of value.

In divination today the suite of pentacles is associated with earthly concerns such as career, wealth, family and family security. It also related to the physical work, practical mindset and determination needed to achieve your goals.

Pentacles in a Reading

In a readings the suite of Cups often relates to your goals in terms of gaining the resources and skills needed for stability and growth. The suite of Pentacles is associated with the fruitful feminine and fertility. It also represents the physical body and health.

Reversed, the suite can often point to misuse or lack of resources, a lack of practicality or laziness, or a lack of direction. In extreme cases it can point to greed or breakdown of relationships based on unbalances of resources or work

The Exemplar Card

There is always a court card that epitomizes the archetype of the suite. The Page in all suites represent the earth, so the Page of Pentacles represents earth in the suite of earth or pure earth.

We see a young man appreciating his environment. I tis early morning and the entire scene is bathed in the sun, making it the same golden yellows of the pentacle. This symbolizes the world around us as full of the potential for sustenance and prosperity. We just have recognize them and create a practical plan to make it happen.

The reversed Page of Pentacles suggests an unwillingness or unreadiness to make prosperity happen

The Journey

The Major Arcana in this deck are based on the Hero’s journey/monomyth, as noted here. Although the Minor Arcana is less concerned about an overall arc and more concerned with day-to-day events and people, there is still an overall message that runs through each suite. The story for the suite of Pentacles looks like this:

An initial new start (ace) creates multiple possibilities for wealth (two). With planning and a team (three) it results in something that will last. This early success gives way to a fixation on wealth and status rather than true value (four) and this soon causes the project to create losses that result in destitution and the need for the charity of others (five, six). Learning from previous mistakes, a second start concentrates on patience and hard work (seven) and learning the required skills (eight). This leads to true prosperity (nine) and a brighter future that lasts through to old age (ten).

There is a difference between striving for wealth and status vs value and security. Only one of them will make you happy.

There is a difference between striving for wealth and status vs value and security. Only one of them will make you happy.