The Five of Pentacles shows hard times: two people struggling through the snow. But it also shows the help that's closer than they think.
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What's on the Five of Pentacles card
Two people trudge through deep snow past a lit stained-glass church window. One walks on crutches with a bandaged head, the other is barefoot and wrapped in a thin shawl. Five pentacles shine in the window above them.
- The snow: hard times and cold circumstances
- The two figures: hardship shared
- The lit window: help and warmth that is close by
- The crutches: illness or injury
Five of Pentacles upright meaning
Upright, the Five of Pentacles points to hardship: money trouble, job loss, illness or feeling left out in the cold. It's a hard card, but it's honest.
Notice the lit window. Help is near. Reach out to friends, community or services. You don't have to go through this alone.
Five of Pentacles reversed meaning
Reversed, things begin to improve. Help arrives, money recovers or you find the support you needed.
Accept the help offered. Recovery comes one step at a time.
Not every reader uses reversals. If you don't, read the upright meaning and let the cards around it show whether the energy is flowing or blocked.
Five of Pentacles in love
Upright: Feeling neglected, or a couple going through hard times together.
Reversed: Reconnecting, or getting through a hard time and growing closer.
Five of Pentacles in career and money
Upright: Job loss, money worries or a setback.
Reversed: Financial recovery, new work or help arriving.
Five of Pentacles as feelings
As feelings, the Five of Pentacles shows someone who feels insecure, left out or worried. Reversed, they're feeling hopeful again.
Is Five of Pentacles a yes or no card?
No. The Five of Pentacles is a no for now. Reversed, things are getting better.
Five of Pentacles correspondences
Use these when you work with the card in spells, on your altar or in meditation. The element and zodiac sign follow the classic attributions used by most tarot readers; the crystals, herbs and colors are common modern pairings. Tap any of them to read more in The Witch's Cabinet.
| Element | Earth |
|---|---|
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Crystals | Citrine Green Aventurine |
| Herbs and incense | Cinnamon Basil |
| Candle colors | Green Candle White Candle |
A Five of Pentacles Light-in-the-Window Spell
For hard times. Spells work best alongside practical help, so reach out too.
You will need:
- A white candle in a window (never left unattended)
- A citrine
- A cinnamon stick
- A coin
Steps:
- Place the candle in a safe spot near a window and light it.
- Put the coin and cinnamon stick beside it, with the citrine on top of the coin.
- Say: Light in the window, help on the way. I find warmth and support today.
- Write down three people or places you can ask for help.
- Contact one of them today.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep flames away from curtains, dried herbs and pets.
Five of Pentacles FAQs
What does the Five of Pentacles mean?
The Five of Pentacles means hardship, money loss or feeling left out.
Is the Five of Pentacles a yes or no?
It is a no for now. Reversed, things improve.
What does the Five of Pentacles mean in love?
In love, it can mean feeling neglected or facing hard times together.
What zodiac sign is the Five of Pentacles?
In the Golden Dawn system, the Five of Pentacles is Mercury in Taurus.
Keep learning the tarot
See every card on our tarot card meanings page, or read all 22 trumps side by side in the Major Arcana explained. New to reading? Start with our guide to cleansing a tarot deck and divination for beginners. When you're ready to read with confidence, our Tarot course teaches every card, spread and reading technique step by step.
Cards that pair well with Five of Pentacles: Six of Pentacles, Five of Cups, The Tower.