Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning

If you have ever heard the story of King Midas, then you know the dangers of allowing one’s desire for the material world to take over. The Four of Pentacles brings a similar message, one that highlights the dark issues we as humans have with materialism and control.

The Four of Pentacles in the Tarot deck signifies a drive for control and an overemphasis on material possessions. While hinting at the need for financial security, it warns against obsessive materialism, greedy tendencies, and resistance to change.

Although sometimes, this card can signify the need for financial security, it often accompanies a sense of ungratefulness and a need to possess much more than what is needed.

FOUR OF PENTACLES KEY WORDS

Before we dive deeper into the upright- and reversed Four of Pentacles card meaning, its connection to love, work, and life, and most card combinations, below is a quick overview of the words that are represented by this Pentacles card.

Upright	A need for control, greed, materialism, blocking change
Reversed	Release of the past, giving up control, generosity, acceptance
Yes or No	Yes
Numerology	4
Element	Earth
Planet	Saturn
Astrological Sign	Capricorn

MONEY ISN’T EVERYTHING: THE FOUR OF PENTACLES TAROT CARD

To fully understand the Four of Pentacles tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, its colors, and symbolism.

If the Four of Pentacles had a theme song it would definitely be For the Love of Money by the O’ Jays. If you are not familiar with this 1970s soul classic, the lyrics below sum it up:

Money money money money, money

Some people got to have it Some people really need it

It is easy to see that the man depicted in the Four of Pentacles is definitely one of those people. As he sits on a chair that oozes royalty..or does he? Some people believe that the man is not a king at all.

Others think that his lack of a throne and real crown symbolizes all he has given up for his pursuit of money. Either way, it is easy to see that materialism abounds.

In the Four of Pentacles, the wealthy man balances a golden coin on top of his crown, preventing his connection with the divine.

His two arms hold money just like the gentleman depicted in the Two of Pentacles. However, the coin he clings to is not in his palm. Symbolizing his fear to lose control, his arms are wrapped tightly around his financial nest.

Nevertheless, the man’s obsession with his money does not end there as both feet are firmly planted on flattened coins.

Sitting high above a vast city and not able to go anywhere, this man of immense power seems isolated and alone, focused only on the financial aspects of life. Perhaps he has lost it all because of his quest.

The black shawl that envelops him like a cloud represents the control that money has over his existence. Even so, the smug look on his face seems to be one of pride and satisfaction.

The man gracing the Four of Pentacles appears happy with his finance-focused existence, even though he has sacrificed so much.

THE MEANING BEHIND FOUR OF PENTACLES

As with all tarot cards, the meaning of the Four of Pentacles is not set in stone. The power of the tarot lies in being able to deliver a universal message to your personal situation.

This is especially true with the four pentacles, as some view the upright position as a warning to save while others see it as a chastisement against greed.

Open your mind and heart as you read the interpretations below and you will intuitively know which is the case for you.

Money and Career Meaning

The number four symbolizes security and the need for stability. Financial security is something that the majority of people seek, but with anything, there is a way to take it too far.

In a financial tarot spread, the Four of Pentacles suggests material success but cautions against being too materialistic.

If your quest for success has caused you to isolate yourself from family and friends, do the means really justify the ends?

You can have security without having to be finance-focused all of the time. Consider working toward a balanced life where one aspect isn’t more important than another.

Love and Relationships Meaning

The way our wealthy friend keeps his body connected to his money also signifies something else: a need for control. When it comes to love tarot reading the Four of Pentacles represents one party (possibly you or your partner) who is plagued by feelings of jealousy or insecurity.

It is important to remember that holding on to something too tightly doesn’t keep it with you, it suffocates it. If you are holding on to a toxic relationship of any kind, an unrequited love, past hurt, or negative emotions, the Four of Pentacles urges you to let go.

If your partner or family member is the one doing the controlling, you should take a real look at your situation. Tough choices need to be made.

However, by accepting things as they are, you will receive real power and strength that could never come from a negative space.

Health and Spirituality Meaning

If you are physically sick or suffering emotionally, the Four of Pentacles in a health context represents the real need for the breaking of physical and mental chains in a health tarot spread.

If you are holding on to any worries, fears, or negative emotions, your body is keeping the score.

Talking to a friend, counselor, or even energy healing can serve as a solution if you feel that you are struggling in these areas.

FOUR OF PENTACLES REVERSED

In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Four of Pentacles tarot card in the reversed position.

What goes up, must come down. This is a universal law. The Four of Pentacles reversed represents what can happen if you choose to let it all go.

Being flipped upside down signals that unlike those with the upright version of this card, you are ready for total acceptance of your reality. Now is the time to embrace it.

Release toxic people, and old resentments, and prepare to start fresh. If you want your finances, career, relationship, or physical/spiritual health to progress, move forward on a new path. Clinging on to what was will only bring misery and isolation.

Instead, think about what is important for you, specifically when it comes to money and wealth. The Four of Pentacles reversed is ushering in change. Will you fight the current or move with it?

Lastly, the Four of Pentacles reversed can signify financial insecurity and instability. Have you lost something valuable or did you perhaps suffer financial losses through risky investments?

If so, this card tells you that you need to start getting a proper hold of your actual financial resources.

However, the reversed Four of Pentacles can also represent not holding onto the money because of good intentions.

Maybe you’re just being generous, sharing your wealth with others because you came to the realization that wealth won’t make you happy – only love.

FOUR OF PENTACLES: YES OR NO

The Four of Pentacles in a Yes or No reading indicates a Yes, but only if you move forward with caution. Security and stability are predicted by this card, but frugality is important too.

Before you jump into a business or investment, look at all of the details. Avoid excess and be resourceful if you want to move forward.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND ASTROLOGY

The Four of Pentacles is associated with stability and financial security, connecting him to the sign Capricorn.

Capricorn is like the traditional business- person of the Zodiac. Practical, earthy, and enduring, this sign is ruled by Saturn and associated with institutions, religion, government, frameworks, and the past.

VITAL COMBINATIONS WITH THE FOUR OF PENTACLES

Rapid changes, control issues, blockages, and arguments about money. Combined with other cards, the Four of Pentacles is also about a need for control, blocking change, and security. Below you can find the most important card combinations of the Four of Pentacles.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND THE FOOL

Although taking risks often leads to reward, the Fool and the Four of Pentacles together encourage you to scale back a bit. Avoid being foolish with money or too spontaneous.

Making impulse buys at this time will lead to deep feelings of regret. So put off any big purchases until a later date.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

An earthquake is happening! Well, maybe not a physical one, but a metaphoric one for sure. This card combo with the Wheel of Fortune tarot card comes with rapid change and lots of movement.

So, don’t be alarmed if lots of things begin to happen at once. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND THE CHARIOT, EMPEROR, OR THE HANGED MAN

If this number four is paired with either the Emperor, the Chariot, or the Hanged Man, you have some real control issues going on in your life. The first two suggest that you are craving control, structure, and order.

Although these things are needed in some cases, trying to maintain power over everything can cause the exact opposite of what we want: chaos.

The Hanged Man suggests letting go. Although doing so isn’t always easy, it will lead to peace of mind.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND THE TOWER

Get ready for a fight. The Four of Pentacles and the Tower predict a showdown over money. Maybe this battle will be with your spouse.

Perhaps it will be with your family members concerning Great Uncle Ed’s will. Regardless, you’ll need to stand firm and hold your composure.

FOUR OF PENTACLES AND TWO OF SWORDS

If you feel like things are at a stalemate, you are right. When paired, the Four of Pentacles and the Two of Swords represent a blockage of some kind.

This might be a breakdown of communication, a plan, that has gone awry at work, or even a chakra issue that needs to be fixed. Look for the source of the problem, and then you’ll be able to formulate a plan better.

FOUR OF PENTACLES IN OTHER TAROT DECKS

All my tarot card descriptions are based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, but this doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many lovely decks out there! Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Four of Pentacles cards.

FOUR OF PENTACLES IN A READING

That’s all for the Four of Pentacles’ meaning. If this card turned up in your reading, it may symbolize your need for security and stability. Or maybe it tells you that it’s time to set some money aside.

Either way, I’m really curious if the meaning resonated with you and would love to hear from you! So please take a minute to leave a comment below.