Four of Pentacles – Love and Relationship Outcome
The Four of Pentacles in a Tarot reading is about clinging on to what you have when the relationship maybe turning sour and you are wondering in a material sense what the future holds. There are also secrets and things happening that you are not aware of, the situation may work for you but it will be at some emotional cost.
Reversed
In the reversed position you can expect to have the added issues of obstruction and delay.
Four of Pentacles – As a Person, Outcome and Feelings
Desire, longing, etc., which will be probably satisfied in the future, delay, retreat, retirement, secret possession, legacy, inheritance, loan, mortgage, gift, the former not without some drawback, sadness or loss. Debt, probably going to be paid. Condition of being limited, enclosed, hampered or delayed. Some good which is not within the reach of the querent. A. E. Thierens, [1930]
Four of Pentacles
Pictorial Key to the Tarot By A.E. Waite (1911), tarot card illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith (1911)
Description
A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two pentacles are under his feet. He holds to that which he has.
Meanings Four of Pentacles in a Reading
The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has, gift, legacy, inheritance.
Four of Pentacles – Reversed
Suspense, delay, opposition.
Additional Divinatory Meanings
For a bachelor, pleasant news from a lady.
Additional Meanings – Reversed
Observation, hindrances.
The Tarot
By S. L. MacGregor Mathers, c 1888
Four of Pentacles
Divinatory Meanings
Four of Pentacles – Pleasure, Gaiety, Enjoyment, Satisfaction.
Divinatory Meanings – Reversed
Obstacles, Hindrances.
General Book of the Tarot
By A. E. Thierens, [1930]
Four of Pentacles
Tradition
A present, gratification, gift, inheritance, legacy; liberality, generosity, offerings, etc. “The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has.” (Waite) Reversed it is said to represent: A circle, circuit, and in general that which limits, encircles, holds, walls, encloses.. So it may be a convent, monastery. Further obstacles, delay, suspense.
Theory
The Fire of the heart on the house of Scorpio, the Eighth, which is the house of secrets, of the money and possessions of other people, of death and sex, of inheritance and debt, loans and delay in all material matters, psychic activity, but much hampering in all physical activities–all this makes clear much of what tradition has handed down. Everything falling in this house is connected with some secret, which cannot be divulged to the outer world, and consequently in relation to this world these things cannot appear in their full light or significance, are more or less handicapped, meet with obstacles and are wrongly judged. It is related to monastic life indeed. On the other hand it is the psychic and sexual expression of the love born in the heart, and it means, on this account, certainly “cleaving to that which one has” in a very personal way. It is the card of desire, attachment, secret longing for possession, which, when not being satisfied, may lead to retreat and retirement. The fire of the heart is here suffering from dissatisfaction or impossibility of realisation. It is probably the least favourable card of the pentacles suit, at least in a material sense. It may hold much good for the future, however. Material benefit in this case will never go without some loss or sadness at the same time, as in the case of inheritance.
The Oracle of the Tarot – Exoteric Tarot
By Paul Foster Case (1933)
Four of Pentacles
On the cube is the symbol of Jupiter, for among the Divine Numbers 4 represents the Sphere of Jupiter.
Time period
Third decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Mercury, from January 11th to 19th.
Well-dignified
Opportunities for public service; an acute, sharp, penetrating, tactful temperament; economy in the arrangement of material affairs; activity in money-matters.
Ill-dignified
Dangers to reputation; troubles through changes not carefully considered; desire for money, but unwisdom in its management; the Querant will meet with sharp criticism.
Keyword
Management.
Further reading
More information on the Four of Pentacles Tarot card.
