The Suit of Pentacles: Modern RWS Tarot Card Meanings
The 14 Suit of Pentacles cards in the Rider Waite Smith tarot (1909).
RWS Suit of Pentacles Meaning
The Suit of Pentacles is the domain of the material world, representing finances, work, physical health, and our connection to the earth. It governs the tangible results of our efforts and the foundations we build in our lives.
Keywords
Upright: Wealth, Manifestation, Security, Career, Health, Prosperity
Reversed: Financial Loss, Greed, Scarcity, Instability
Lots of Pentacles Cards In A RWS Tarot Reading
If you get lots of Pentacles cards in a reading, the situation is grounded in practical, real-world matters. The core issues are likely related to finances, career, home, or physical well-being. This indicates a time that requires patience, diligent work, and a long-term perspective. Success is not about quick wins but about building something stable and lasting. However, an overemphasis on Pentacles can also warn of materialism, stubbornness, or a resistance to change. The path forward requires a sensible, grounded approach that honors both material security and spiritual values.
Pentacles And The Earth Element
The RWS Pentacles correspond to the occult element of Earth. Earth represents stability, security, the physical body, and the material world. It is a grounded, patient, and fertile energy. It is also a receptive, feminine element which provides physical form for the effects of the other elements to manifest.
RWS Pentacles Cards In Life Areas
Pentacles in Love & Relationships
In a love reading, Pentacles speak to the stability, commitment, and practical reality of a relationship. These cards can signify a long-term, stable partnership built on shared values and mutual support (Ten of Pentacles). They can also point to the hard work and dedication required to build a life together (Three of Pentacles). When reversed, they can warn of financial disagreements, instability, or a relationship that is based more on material security than genuine love.
Pentacles in A Money and Career Context
This is the natural home of the Suit of Pentacles. These cards represent career, business, wealth, and the fruits of one's labour. They speak to everything from a new job offer (Ace of Pentacles) and mastering a skill (Eight of Pentacles) to building a lasting financial legacy (Ten of Pentacles). They encourage a diligent, patient, and high-quality approach to work, reminding us that true, sustainable success is built slowly over time.
Pentacles in a Spiritual Context
Spiritually, the Suit of Pentacles represents the path of finding the sacred in the mundane. It is about connecting with the divine through nature, the body, and meaningful work. This suit teaches that our spiritual life is not separate from our material reality. It governs the lessons we learn through our physical experiences and the challenge of creating a life that is both materially secure and spiritually fulfilling.
Personal Perspective on the RWS Suit of Pentacles
“In my opinion, the Pentacles are not merely about money; they are the manifestation of your karma in the material world. They teach that true wealth is not the accumulation of money and comforts (beyond necessities), but the living of a well-grounded, generous, and purposeful life.”
Pentacles Suit: Modern RWS Meanings
Click on a card to explore its modern RWS meanings in depth.
Additional Notes on the RWS Pentacles Suit
The Spiritual Journey of the Pentacles
The Suit of Pentacles tells a story of material and practical mastery. It begins with the Ace, a seed of real-world opportunity. It moves through the Two, the need for balance and adaptability, and the Three, the initial success that comes from collaboration and skilled work. It faces tests of possessiveness in the Four and hardship in the Five, but learns the lessons of generosity in the Six. The journey requires patience in the Seven and dedication to one's craft in the Eight, leading to the independent luxury of the Nine and the ultimate generational wealth and stability of the Ten.
Continue Learning: Read The Full RWS Cards In Context Series
This article is one part of a comprehensive series on all 78 cards in the RWS tarot system. You can explore the full series by clicking the button below.
