Seven of Pentacles
Affirmation
To stay on target, I measure my progress.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Pentacles
- Archetype:
- Numerology:7 (The Motive: imagination, inner work, psychology)
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
A young man, leaning on his staff, looks intently at seven pentacles attached to a clump of greenery on his right; one would say that these were his treasures and that his heart was there.
Light Meaning
- Measuring progress toward your goal
- Looking at results with an eye toward improving performance
- Asking, How happy am I?
- Coming up with ideas for improving your health or prosperity
- Deciding it's time for a change
- Expressing an honest opinion
Shadow Meaning
- Becoming distracted by melancholy thoughts
- Longing for the good old days
- Beating yourself up over lost opportunities
- Judging your own work harshly
- Holding others to inappropriate standards
- Refusing to take part in a project, then whining about the quality of the outcome
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •To what extent have I fulfilled my own expectations?
- •What are the terms of success?
- •How can I be happier with the progress I've made?
Personal Meaning
Pause and enjoy what your hard work has yielded. Re-evaluate your plans and identify areas that might need a different approach.
A time when assessment of your work thus far was necessary. Adjustments might have been made to your course of action.
Pause and enjoy what your hard work has yielded. Re-evaluate your plans and identify areas that might need a different approach.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Don't stop working until you're done. Don't second guess yourself. You're on the right path.
Not a good time to stop working, or to second guess yourself. You pushed for the finish line before you looked back.
This is not a good time to stop working, or to second guess yourself. The end is in sight; push for the finish line before you look back.
Fortune Telling
- •Things won't work out as expected
- •Pick up the pieces and prepare to move on
How to Interpret This Card in a Reading
A guide to deepening your understanding of Tarot symbolism.
Context is Key
No Tarot card exists in a vacuum. While the meanings above provide a foundation, the true significance of this card depends on where it lands in your spread. Is it in the past position, indicating a phase you are moving away from? Or is it in the outcome position, suggesting a potential future? Always consider the neighboring cards — they often tell a story that modifies or amplifies the message.
Trust Your Intuition
Traditional meanings are the starting point, but your intuition is the compass. When you look at the card imagery, what draws your eye first? A specific color, a symbol, or a facial expression might trigger a personal memory or feeling. That immediate reaction is often the most relevant message for your current situation, even if it differs from the standard definition.
Understanding Reversals
If this card appears reversed (upside down), don't fear it. Reversals often suggest an internalizing of the card's energy, a delay, or a need to revisit the lesson before moving forward. It can also indicate that the "shadow" aspects described above are currently more active, inviting you to bring them into the light for healing.
Connecting with the Element
Remember the suit this card belongs to. Wands speak to passion and action (Fire). Cups dive into emotions and relationships (Water). Swords navigate the mind and conflicts (Air). Pentacles ground us in the material world and resources (Earth). The Major Arcana represents larger life themes and soul lessons. Filtering the card's meaning through its elemental lens will give you a grounded, practical way to apply its wisdom to your life.