Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into Tarot lately, and the Five of Pentacles has been a recurring card for me. It’s kind of a bummer card, visually, right? Those two figures huddled outside a church, looking all cold and miserable. I wanted to really understand what it means, beyond just “hard times.” So, here’s what I did and what I learned.
First, I pulled out my trusty Rider-Waite deck. I spent some time just looking at the card. Really observing. I noticed the stained-glass window – five pentacles shining bright, while these two people are literally left out in the cold. One’s on crutches, the other’s bundled up in a thin shawl. It’s a stark contrast, isn’t it? The abundance is right there, but they’re not experiencing it.
Then, I grabbed my favorite Tarot journal and started jotting down my initial impressions. Things like:
- Feeling isolated
- Financial hardship
- Illness or injury
- Missing opportunities
- Being excluded/rejected.
Next, I wanted some different perspectives. I looked up some interpretations online. It was interesting because some focused on the material lack – the poverty aspect. Others talked more about the spiritual side – feeling disconnected from support or community. A lot of them mentioned the idea of “self-imposed” hardship, like maybe these figures are choosing to stay outside, even though help might be available.
I did a few simple spreads focusing on the Five of Pentacles. I did a one-card draw just asking, “What is this card trying to tell me today?” I also did a three-card spread: past, present, future, using the Five of Pentacles as the “present” card to see what led to it and where it might be going. That was really revealing! It made me think about some situations in my own life where I might be feeling a bit…well, left out in the cold.
I did a specific spread, pulling it as my daily card.
I then wrote down the results of that spread, after, I pulled another two cards to clarify the initial meaning.
Finally, I did some final notes.
It’s a complex card. It’s not just about being broke. It’s about feeling like you’re on the outside looking in, whether it’s financially, emotionally, or spiritually. And sometimes, the biggest takeaway is recognizing that the “church” – that source of warmth and support – might be closer than you think. You just have to be willing to look for it and ask for help.
