The Five of Pentacles is one of the more challenging cards in the Tarot’s Minor Arcana, depicting a time of material struggle, feeling left out in the cold, and the spiritual challenges that arise during periods of hardship. Yet within its seemingly bleak imagery lies a message about perseverance, overlooked resources, and the potential for spiritual growth during difficult circumstances.
Traditional Imagery
In most traditional Tarot decks, the Five of Pentacles portrays two destitute figures trudging through snow or harsh conditions. One figure is often injured or on crutches, while both appear poorly clothed for the weather, suggesting poverty and hardship. They pass by a church or stained glass window illuminated from within, with five pentacles typically embedded in the window’s design. The figures appear unaware of or unable to access the warmth and light inside the building, continuing their difficult journey outside in the cold.
Core Meanings
Material Hardship
At its most direct level, the Five of Pentacles represents financial difficulties, material lack, or health challenges. It suggests a time when resources are scarce, and basic security needs may be threatened or compromised.
Exclusion and Isolation
The card strongly conveys feelings of being shut out, left behind, or excluded from comfort and community. The figures passing by the warm building but remaining outside symbolize disconnection from sources of support that might be available.
Overlooked Resources
The illuminated church window that the figures pass by suggests that help or resources may be available but overlooked or unseen. This can represent spiritual support, community assistance, or inner resources that remain untapped during difficult times.
Faith Tested
The religious imagery in the card points to the spiritual dimensions of material hardship—how faith can be both challenged and strengthened during times of difficulty. It raises questions about where we turn when external security is threatened.
The Five of Pentacles in Readings
When the Five of Pentacles appears in a Tarot reading, it typically signifies:
Financial Concerns
In financial readings, this card often indicates money worries, temporary hardship, unexpected expenses, or feeling financially vulnerable. It may appear during periods of unemployment, debt, or when financial security is threatened.
Health Challenges
The Five of Pentacles frequently relates to health concerns, particularly those that affect mobility, independence, or create financial strain. It can represent feeling physically vulnerable or dealing with the financial impacts of health issues.
Social Exclusion
This card can indicate feelings of being an outsider, rejected, or not belonging. It may appear during times when someone feels marginalized from community or unsupported by those around them.
Spiritual Crisis
The Five of Pentacles often emerges during times when material difficulties create a crisis of faith or meaning. It can represent questioning one’s beliefs or struggling to maintain hope during challenging circumstances.
Reversed Meaning
When the Five of Pentacles appears reversed (upside down), it may indicate:
- Recovery from financial difficulties
- Accepting help or support that was previously rejected
- Renewed hope after a period of hardship
- Finding spiritual meaning through material challenges
- Realizing that things aren’t as bad as they seemed
- Beginning to see overlooked resources or opportunities
The Five of Pentacles in Different Aspects of Life
Relationships
In relationship readings, this card can suggest feeling unsupported, abandoned, or left out in the cold by a partner or loved ones. It may indicate relationships suffering due to financial stress or one person feeling excluded from the emotional intimacy shared by others.
Personal Growth
For personal development, the Five of Pentacles often highlights the growth that can come through hardship. It invites examination of how we respond to material challenges and what we learn about ourselves when external security is threatened.
Career Path
In career readings, this card can indicate workplace isolation, job loss, financial uncertainty related to work, or feeling unvalued in one’s professional role. It may suggest a period of “paying dues” before stability can be achieved.
The Five of Pentacles in Combination
The meaning of the Five of Pentacles is often enhanced or modified by cards that appear alongside it:
- With the Sun or other positive cards: Suggests that hardship will be temporary
- With the Hierophant: Emphasizes the spiritual institutions or traditions that might offer support
- With the Six of Pentacles: Indicates that help or charity may soon become available
- With the Star: Suggests that hope and healing are possible despite current difficulties
Practical Applications
When the Five of Pentacles appears, consider these approaches:
- Take inventory of overlooked resources: What support systems might be available that you haven’t considered?
- Examine barriers to receiving help: Pride, fear, or past experiences might be preventing you from accessing available support
- Find community: Even in hardship, connection with others in similar circumstances can provide emotional sustenance
- Look for spiritual meaning: Consider what this challenging time might be teaching you about values, priorities, or inner strength
Conclusion
The Five of Pentacles reminds us that material hardship and feelings of exclusion are part of the human experience—chapters rather than the whole story. While acknowledging the very real challenges of financial struggle, health problems, or social isolation, this card also points to the resources we might be overlooking and the spiritual growth that can emerge from difficult circumstances.
The two figures in the snow have each other, suggesting that even in hardship, we are rarely completely alone. The illuminated window they pass by reminds us that sources of warmth, light, and support often exist even when we feel most excluded or abandoned. Sometimes the first step toward improvement is simply looking up and recognizing the doorways to assistance that we’ve been walking past in our distress. The Five of Pentacles thus contains both warning and hope—acknowledging suffering while hinting at the possibility of finding meaning, community, and eventually recovery even in our darkest moments.