Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning
The Four of Pentacles shows a figure clutching coins on their head, hands and feet. They fear losing what they’ve worked for, yet their grip keeps them static. The card warns against hoarding resources or playing too safe. Reversed, it urges you to loosen your hold and let energy flow.
Four of Pentacles Imagery and Symbolism
In the Rider-Waite-Smith Four of Pentacles, a figure sits firmly on a throne, clutching a coin to their chest while two others rest under their feet and one upon their head. The city behind suggests prosperity, yet their body language shows fear of loss and a refusal to move.
Pamela Colman Smith’s illustration uses rigid posture and solid colours to show how clinging to wealth can create stagnation. The coins seem heavy rather than liberating. Her careful composition suggests that security can become a prison if you refuse to release or circulate resources, whether material or emotional.
From my perspective, the Four of Pentacles invites you to examine where you’re holding on too tight. Are you gripping money, status or old beliefs? The card encourages a shift from fear to trust. When you allow energy to move, you make room for growth, generosity and freedom.
Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning Upright
Security
Security in the Four of Pentacles speaks to the desire for safety and stability. You may have worked hard to build your resources. This keyword reminds you that true security comes from flexibility and trust, not rigid hoarding. Share what you have and invest in personal growth.
Stability
Stability refers to the solid foundation you’ve created. In the Four of Pentacles, it’s about maintaining a steady base while allowing movement. This keyword encourages you to build sustainable practices, manage finances wisely and take calculated risks. Without flexibility, stability can become stagnation.
Control
Control reflects your urge to manage outcomes and protect resources. The Four of Pentacles cautions that overcontrol can stifle growth and relationships. This keyword invites you to loosen your grip, trust the process and recognise that letting go at times can bring greater abundance and ease.
Four of Pentacles Upright in Love and Relationships Readings
In love, the Four of Pentacles speaks of stability and loyalty but also warns against possessiveness. You or your partner may be clinging too tightly or fearing loss. True security comes from trust and openness, not control. Share resources and emotions rather than locking them away.
Four of Pentacles Upright in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
For self-care, the Four of Pentacles invites you to examine your relationship with security. Are you holding onto routines or beliefs that no longer serve you? Balance caution with generosity. Invest in yourself—emotional support, therapy, hobbies—so your inner world can flourish without fear of loss.
Four of Pentacles Upright in Career and Creativity Readings
In career, the Four of Pentacles urges caution with resources while reminding you not to stagnate. You might have built savings or a steady job, but clinging to security could inhibit growth. Invest in learning, take calculated risks and trust that letting resources flow invites prosperity.
Four of Pentacles Upright in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
In times of change, the Four of Pentacles asks you to find balance between safety and growth. Holding on too tightly to the known may limit your potential. Trust that calculated risks will lead to stability in the long term. Loosen your grip and let new opportunities in.
Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning Reversed
Rigidity
Rigidity speaks to inflexibility and fear of change. In the reversed Four of Pentacles, this keyword warns that clinging to the familiar can block growth. It asks you to examine where you’re stuck and to practise flexibility. Opening your grip invites new energy and opportunity.
Hoarding
Hoarding refers to holding onto money, possessions or emotions out of fear. In the reversed Four of Pentacles, this behaviour becomes counterproductive. This keyword encourages you to share, invest and express. Letting resources flow creates abundance and builds trust both within yourself and with others.
Fear of Loss
Fear of loss in the reversed Four of Pentacles highlights anxiety that makes you hold on too tight. This keyword asks you to confront scarcity thinking. Trust that releasing control and investing in growth will not deplete you but rather open doors to new opportunities and emotional security.
Four of Pentacles Reversed in Love and Relationships Readings
Reversed, the Four of Pentacles indicates scarcity thinking that undermines love. You might be acting out of fear, withholding affection or using resources to control. This card encourages you to release tight grips and to cultivate generosity. Vulnerability, not hoarding, is what deepens intimacy.
Four of Pentacles Reversed in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
When reversed, the Four of Pentacles suggests that self-care might be hindered by scarcity thinking. You may feel undeserving of rest or pleasure. Challenge this by loosening control, spending on experiences that nourish you and trusting that generosity towards yourself doesn’t deplete but replenishes.
Four of Pentacles Reversed in Career and Creativity Readings
Reversed, the Four of Pentacles warns against fear-driven hoarding at work. Maybe you’re undervaluing yourself or refusing to invest in necessary resources. This card calls for loosening your grip, reallocating budget to growth, and embracing innovation. Playing it safe could actually cost you more in the long run.
Four of Pentacles Reversed in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
Reversed, the Four of Pentacles warns that fear of scarcity may paralyse you during transitions. Hoarding resources or refusing to invest in change can lead to stagnation or waste. Release limiting beliefs, share what you have and believe that letting go creates space for abundance.
Four of Pentacles: Stability and Foundation
Fours in tarot signify stability, structure, and a solid foundation. They represent the establishment of security and the need to build a firm base for future endeavours. Fours encourage you to focus on creating stability in your life, whether it’s through emotional security (Cups), material wealth (Pentacles), mental clarity (Swords), or creative grounding (Wands).
Four of Pentacles: Material Success and Practicality
Pentacles focus on the tangible aspects of life, like work, finances, and material stability. This suit is about earning, spending, and investing, emphasising strategic planning and financial prudence. Pentacles guide you towards a secure and stable future, highlighting the importance of practicality and resourcefulness.
Four of Pentacles in the Minor Arcana
The Minor Arcana encompasses the everyday moments, emotions, and actions that shape our lives. This 56-card section is divided into four suits: Pentacles, Cups, Wands, and Swords. Each represents a different energy or aspect of life. Unlike the Major Arcana, which focuses on grand spiritual journeys, the Minor Arcana offers a more grounded perspective, dealing with the practicalities of daily existence.
Through these suits, you explore personal growth, relationships, and material success. The Minor Arcana provides a framework for navigating life’s complexities, offering insights into the ups and downs we all face. As you journey through this section, remember to connect with the themes in a way that resonates with your unique path.
Four of Pentacles and the Element of Earth
Four of Pentacles resonates with the element of Earth, embodying stability, practicality, and the physical realm. Earth calls for groundedness, representing the strength found in patience, dedication, and growth over time. This element reminds us of our roots, our foundations, and the value of nurturing what we wish to cultivate. Earth invites a connection to nature, security, and the tangible aspects of life, encouraging resilience and an appreciation for the present.
Four of Pentacles Journalling Prompts
What beliefs or possessions am I holding onto, and how are they impacting my life?
Where could I benefit from releasing control?
How can I create a stable foundation while remaining open to growth?
Frequently Asked Questions about Four of Pentacles
What does Four of Pentacles mean in a tarot reading?
The Four of Pentacles represents holding on tightly to resources, whether money, time or emotions. It can indicate stability and saving, but also warns of rigidity and fear. In a reading, it asks you to examine your relationship with security and to consider where loosening your grip might bring growth.
How can Four of Pentacles guide me in managing resources?
Four of Pentacles encourages mindful management: save and invest wisely, but don’t become so cautious that you block opportunities. It reminds you that money and energy need to circulate to grow. By balancing prudence with generosity and calculated risk, you create a healthier, more abundant relationship with resources.
Is Four of Pentacles a yes or no card?
The Four of Pentacles generally leans toward no when you’re asking whether to take a risk or make a big change. It signals caution and holding back. If you’re asking about saving or staying put, it’s yes. Ultimately, the card asks you to evaluate whether fear is driving your decision.
What is the role of the Four of Pentacles in the tarot deck?
The Four of Pentacles introduces the theme of material stability and control in the suit of Pentacles. It shows the benefits and drawbacks of holding on. Its role is to prompt reflection on security, scarcity and generosity, asking whether your grip on resources supports or limits you.
What does the Four of Pentacles symbolise?
The Four of Pentacles symbolises stability, control and the fear of loss. The imagery of a person tightly holding coins shows how clinging can protect and restrict simultaneously. It invites you to consider whether your boundaries serve growth or simply keep you stuck in a state of lack and caution.
What does Four of Pentacles suggest about navigating life’s challenges?
It suggests adopting a balanced approach to change: hold onto what truly matters while letting go of what stifles you. The Four of Pentacles teaches that resilience comes from flexibility. To navigate challenges, release scarcity thinking and trust that generosity invites support and fresh opportunities.
Is Four of Pentacles a positive or negative card?
It’s neutral, highlighting both stability and limitation. The Four of Pentacles applauds careful stewardship and saving, but warns against fear-based rigidity. Whether it’s positive or negative depends on whether your security is a springboard for growth or a wall preventing change and generosity.
How does Four of Pentacles align with themes of career?
In career readings, the Four of Pentacles warns against clinging to the familiar at the expense of progress. It encourages prudent management of finances and responsibilities but cautions against resisting change. Embrace continuous learning and reinvest resources wisely to avoid stagnation and achieve sustainable success.
What are some other names for Four of Pentacles?
In different decks, the Four of Pentacles may be called the Four of Coins or Four of Disks, emphasising material matters. The Thoth deck names it The Lord of Power. Regardless of title, it conveys the themes of possession, security and the tension between stability and stagnation.
What other tarot cards often appear with Four of Pentacles?
Four of Pentacles often appears with cards like The Fool, urging you to take leaps; The Tower, signalling needed upheaval; Death, heralding transformation; and Six of Pentacles, teaching balance between giving and saving. These combinations highlight where you may need to release control to grow.
