Six of Pentacles
Affirmation
Knowing I will receive more, I share my resources freely.
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:
- Arcana:Minor Arcana
- Suit:Pentacles
- Archetype:
- Numerology:6 (The Adjustment: cooperation, collaboration, interaction)
- Hebrew Alphabet:
Keywords
Description
A person in the guise of a merchant weighs money in a pair of scales and distributes it to the needy and distressed. It is a testimony to his own success in life, as well as to his goodness of heart.
Light Meaning
- Giving time, money, or effort to a charity
- Taking part in a group effort
- Lending your resources to others without expecting anything in return
- Making sure everyone is treated equally
- Working together toward a common goal
- Redistributing wealth, time, or attention
- Tithing
- Sharing credit for your success
Shadow Meaning
- Making a loan as a means of gaining control over someone
- Using charitable acts to draw attention to yourself
- Dividing work or resources unfairly
- Failing to do your part in a group effort
- Ignoring obligations and commitments
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •How do I feel about charity? About giving it? About receiving it?
- •How can I know if I'm treating others fairly?
- •What could I give that no one else can?
Personal Meaning
Re-evaluate where you stand on the issues around having or not having. Take stock, and you might realize that you have more going for you than you think. Remember, also, that appearances can be deceiving. Do not compare your situation to that of others, for you do not know the full story in anyone else's life.This card can also suggest that you will be experiencing a time of need, or a time when you can help someone else in need. A possible exchange or barter of goods or services.
Re-evaluating where you stand on the issues around having or not having. A time of need, or a time when you can help someone else in need. A possible exchange or barter of goods or services.
Re-evaluate where you stand on the issues around having or not having. Take stock, and you might realize that you have more going for you than you think. Remember, also, that appearances can be deceiving. Do not compare your situation to that of others, for you do not know the full story in anyone else's life.This card can also suggest that you are experiencing a time of need, or a time when you can help someone else in need. A possible exchange or barter of goods or services.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Opportunities to obtain what you want and need will abound; you must consider what you might be willing to give up in return. Don't wait for the object of your desire to fall from heaven. Get proactive.
Opportunities to obtain what you want and need abounded, but you may not have been open to giving something in return.
You lack because you are not open to giving. Opportunities to obtain what you want and need abound; you must consider what you might be willing to give up in return. Don't wait for the object of your desire to fall from heaven. It's time to get proactive.
Fortune Telling
- •When you need help, ask for it
- •Remember, though: what you receive may be limited by what you've given to others in the past
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.