The Parables of Pentacles

A suit ofpoverty, generosity.

of wealth and of greed.

Always there are those ofplenty

and so many more of need.

A coin is a coin

landing on a head or a tail.

A task is still worth doing

weather you succeed or you fail.

The Suit ofPentacles represents the

element Earth, the season of winter,

and deals with time in increments

of years.

A sturdy suit that rules the body and

represents the Earth signs of Taurus,

Virgo, and Capricorn.

The themes of this suit are: the

material world, work, education, greed,

generosity, prosperity and poverty.

Ace of Pentacles

If your vision is clear

the world will provide what you seek.

But rewards are not for the tardy,

the dimwitted, or the meek.

A spirit emerges from a birch tree. In her

hands is a stag skull that securely holds

a golden coin. Like all Aces,The Ace of

Pentacles signifies new beginnings.

The Universe has recognized your hard

work and is rewarding you with

abundance and opportunity. If you are

considering undertaking a new

entrepreneurial project or investment,

the Ace suggests that now is the time to

act.

ln its reversed position however,the

card indicates a sudden financial loss or

temporary lack of funds.

Upright: good fortune·new

opportunities·investments·building

strong foundationsself-starter

promise of prosperity

Reversed:financial instability ·lack of

capital·poor or risky investment

·investing*premature·get rich quick

attitude·falling victim to pyramid

schemes

Two of Pentacles

To work or to play,

to be young and then old,

one can't always be timid

nor can one always be bold.

Two mountain goats scale a ragged cliff

The older is focused on its goal,

steadfast in approach, and determined to

reach the summit despite the worsening

weather. The younger carelessly totters

at the edge of a steep cliff.

The Two of Pentacles is about balance

between all aspects of your life: family,

friends, personal health and fun. While

we can always benefit from the tenacity

of the mountain goats, this card advises

us to maintain a sense of balance and

not lose sight ofour inner child.

In reverse, the card indicates you are

struggling to maintain balance between

work and play.

Upright: balanceconsidering one's

optionscareful planning·multi-

tasking·enjoying calculated risk

Reversed: imbalance·failing to

multitask·overwhelmed·over the

edge·neglecting family for work or vice

versa·missed opportunity

Three of Pentacles

Working together is pleasant

and often less straining,

but beware of those whose presence

is less helpful then draining.

Two oxen work together to carry their

load. One raises his head high, exuding

power and leadership, while the other

one eagerly follows suit.Together, they

proudly accomplish their task. Perhaps

you are the first ox, organizing and

motivating your team.Or you could be

the second, following directions and

respecting authority. Whatever the case,

the Three of Pentacles reminds us not to

lose sight of,and work toward, our

common good.

In reverse, this card may indicate

someone in the group is taking

advantage of the hard work of others by

not pulling their weight.

Upright: collaboration·delegation

·sharing responsibilities and rewards

·master of the art or craft·being

recognized for trade or skill

Reversed: uncooperative·poor

craftsmanship·tense work

environment·selfishness·riding

another's coattails

Four of Pentacles

I've collected my treasures

close to my chest,

I will not relinquish these comforts

no matter the test.

An old ibex sits guarding his treasures.

Though he is well established and his

past ways have earned him significant

success winter is fast approaching. Ifhe

does not move before the frost claims

him he will surely perish. Such is the

duality of the Four of Pentacles. On the

one hand, the card suggests that you

have enjoyed significant past success.

Yet on the other hand,it also indicates

that you have grown so paranoid about

losing your current stability that you

may let new opportunities pass you by.

Upright, this card indicates you are

dealing with your success

conservatively. In reverse, it could

indicate you are being greedy, hoarding

the rewards of your success.

Upright: conservativism·fiscal

responsibility·stability ·wealth

*possession·control

Reversed:greed·covetousness

*stagnation·burden of financial

success·financial anxiety

Five of Pentacles

The storm here is fierce

and my prospects unkind

but we can only move forward

we can never rewind.

A worried doe and her two fawns

wander through a dark forest.The snow

falls heavy as they struggle to find

shelter. The Five of Pentacles indicates

that you are currently facing financial

struggle.This card urges us to not allou

our financial anxieties to get the better o

us. Accept the warmth and support of

your family and loved ones. You may

find you are not alone.

In both upright and reverse, you are

suffering from material poverty.

However, in reversed position,your

misfortune is waning and you are takin

solace from your family.

Upright: poverty·hopelessness

·financial short sightednesssevere

debt·escalating anxiety·bankers

loan-sharks·vulnerability

Reversed: unexpected sources of help

*recovery from financial loss

receiving charitable help

Six of Pentacles

To give comfort and rest

to someone too weary to fly

may give one's own spirit

the strength to soar high.

We can only truly appreciate the value

of charity once we have lost something

ourselves. After the fear and

hopelessness of the Five, comes the

warmth and generosity of the Six of

Pentacles. This card depicts a reindeer

amidst winter, letting the cardinals rest

atop his antlers and partake the last of

winter's fruit. Like the winter holidays

this card is a reminder of the joys of

selfless giving.

In reverse, this card could indicate either

that you are giving beyond your means

or that you are not giving at all, both of

which are detrimental.

Upright: charitygenerosity ·altruism

·random acts of kindness·lightening

someone else's load

Reversed:giving too much·being

manipulative·ulterior motives·debt

selfishness·overpromising·over-

extending·invasive or insulting

generosity

Seven of Pentacles

The fruit is sweeter than the seed

but it takes so long to grow.

Still if1 eat the seed right now,

the fruit l'll never know.

A young yak regards a budding flower

while behind him coins spring forth

from a flourishing plant.The Six of

Pentacles suggests that you have a

strong desire to invest in the future.You

only want to commit to long term

endeavors that are certain to pay off

However, you may feel like you have

wasted money in the past and are afraid

to invest in new projects.

Reversed,it indicates that your

zealousness to invest has led you to poor

decisions or you have disregarded

investing altogether and are spending

frivolously.

Upright: laying the seeds·long term

benefit·patience·hard work·vision

for the future·expecting profit·careful

planning·investmentperseverance

Reverse: impatiencegiving into instant

gratification·discouraged· giving up

prematurely·short-sightedness

· daydreaming about the future

neglecting your foundations

Eight of Pentacles

As fast as l learn,

I work twice as hard.

Yet diligent labor

leaves my heart scarred.

An industrious mule carries her load up

the mountain, diligent and honest work.

The Eight of Pentacles is a card of

learning and apprenticeship. You are

eagerly taking on a new skill. Perhaps

you have recently been promoted, are

taking on a new project, or are learning

a new craft. However, while your

industriousness earns you the respect of

your peers, don't forget the value of

reprieve.

If in the upright position, you are

acquiring knowledge and applying it

gainfully. In reverse, the card indicates

you are so committed to your work that

you are overextending yourself.

Upright:·apprenticeship·education

*quality*commitment·diligence

·hard work·progresspursuing

goals·dedicated·craftsmanship

Reversed:·perfectionism·lack of

focus·loss ofambition·frustration

·lack of progress·discouragement

·burning out ·breaking under pressure

Nine of Pentacles

The abundance before me

I've worked hard to achieve.

Now l enjoy what I've got

and have no reason to grieve.

Two antelope graze peacefully in a

flowering meadow.The sun rises into a

clear sky and all is well.The Nine of

Pentacles is a sign that all your struggle

and hard work has paid off.Finally, you

are feeling confident, self-sufficient and

free. Now you can enjoy the fruits of

your labor. Treat yourself!

In the reverse position however, you feel

you are not independent or financially

sound. You may feel anxious or

overwhelmed, regardless of your actual

financial viability.

Upright: luxurycontentment·pay-off

·stabilitysecurityself-sufficiency

pride in past accomplishments

contentment in present situation

·refined and privileged way of life

*enjoying the finer things*gratitude

Reversed: over-involvement in work

·inability to relax or enjoy your

accomplishment·financial setbacks

·restlessness·doubting your security

·financial paranoia

Ten of Pentacles

The foundation I've built

forms the legacy I?leave behind.

Knowing I've done all I?can

gives me great peace of mind.

A family of rhinos comes together under

the blossoming leaves of a tree. Just as

the Nine of Pentacles portends

individual success,the Ten of Pentacles

portends communal success. You are

able to provide not only for yourself,but

your family and loved ones as well. You

have secured a strong foundation for

future generations.

The card in its reverse position means

you may feel stressed by your inability

to provide a legacy for the current or

future generations. Conversely, you may

not want to leave anything behind

feeling the vindictive impulse to

withhold from your kin to teach them a

lesson or because they are undeserving.

Upright: legacy·retirement·financial

securityproviding for familypride

affluence·inheritance

Reversed:financial failure·loss

·loneliness·failed provider·choosing

material success over everything

Page of Pentacles

Acoin is like a seed

in more ways than one

both can be made into plenty

or be reduced back to none.

The Page of Pentacles is a younger,

feminine energy at the start of their

professional journey.They are a wide

eyed go-getter.Though they have

minimal capital, they have a keen eye

for business and investment.This,

combined with their creative vision and

fervor, will surely take them far.

Whether in you, or someone else,the

Page is a messenger of enthusiasm and

motivation.

Reversed,the Page of Pentacles is

financially reckless and short-sighted.

They are eager to make a name for

themselves, but are unwilling or unable

to put in the time and diligence to

achieve success.

Upright: a young, feminine energy who

is either a Taurus,Capricorn or Virgo

*eager to learn and invest·vision

*new job or opportunity·optimistic

Reversed: someone who is financially

recklessvision without follow through

*arrogant·passionate but unfocused

Knight of Pentacles

Although my methods are simple

they are both tried and true

if l stray not from the path

I know I'll pull though.

The Knight of Pentacles is a younger,

masculine energy who is methodical

rigorous, and thorough. Although they

may not be the most creative thinker

they know how to follow directions and

get the job done. If the Knight is

someone in your life,they are likel

someone who,though stubborn,is

reliable and dependable.This may also

be a sign that you're overthinking

In reverse position, the Knight of

Pentacles is someone unwilling to listen

to creative solutions who wants to stay

on their current course, despite the

obvious lack ofresults.

Upright: a younger masculine energy

who is either a Taurus,Capricorn,

Virgo·straightforward·deliberate

*upholding cultural traditions and

beliefs

Reversed:boring·closed-minded

·stubborn·ridged· follows directions

at the expense ofefficiency·fixation on

tradition.

Queen of Pentacles

All that I?have

I give freely to you;

it is the duty of the old

to provide for the new.

The Queen of Pentacles is a mature,

feminine energy who is the prototypical

“Earth Mother." She is an excellent

provider in every sense of the word.The

Queen of Pentacles is a reminder that no

matter how alone you feel, there is

someone behind the scenes rooting for

you and actively working to see you

thrive. Or perhaps you are the one

investing your time and energy into

caring for others. If so, don't forget to

extend the same effort to yourself.

In the reverse position, this card may

represent someone who is overly

involved with your life or offers you

support, intending to manipulate you.

Upright: a mature, feminine energy who

is either a Taurus,Capricorn, or Virgo

·Earth Mother·nurturing

*supportive·pragmatic

Reversed: provides through material

means·enabler·codependence

·trophy wife·confuses wealth with

emotional well-being

King ofPentacles

I'll share my wealth with you

if that is what you desire;

but know it is wisdom -not wealth-

that builds a lasting empire.

The King of Pentacles is a strong

masculine energy who is the paradigm

ofwealth, stability, and discipline. They

are as generous as they are wise and

industrious. They are likely a father

figure or financial benefactor of some

kind. The King may also suggest that

you are in the final stages of fulfillment

ofa project, business, or investment.

In reverse, The King of Pentacles

represents someone who is miserly and

unwilling to share their wealth and

experience; or someone who lends

money with the expectation for an

unrealistic return on investment.

Upright: a mature masculine energy

who is either a Taurus,Capricorn,or

Virgo·financial stability generous

·sound business decisions·strong

work ethicpersistent·benefactor

Reversed:penny-pincher·trust-fund

child·frivolous with money·lazy

·buys affection·uses their finances to

escape consequences