Four of Pentacles
Holding tight to what you have keeps it safe, but it also keeps you still.
- Card
- Minor Arcana · Pentacles (Earth)
- Upright keywords
- Possession, Stability, Security, Holding on
- Reversed keywords
- Stinginess, Miserliness, Possessiveness, Loss
- Yes or no
- Depends on conditions
Traditional correspondences Golden Dawn: Lord of Earthly Power / Thoth: Power / 3rd decan of Capricorn · the Sun / Sephirah: Chesed (Mercy)
Upright meaning
Security and holding on. Just don’t hold too tight.
A man sits clutching a pentacle to his chest, one on his crown and two under his feet, a city behind him. The Four of Pentacles is security and control: saving, protecting, holding on. Upright, it can be wise caution, but beware of fear that blocks generosity and growth.
Reversed meaning
Stinginess or fear of loss. Loosen your grip.
Reversed, the grip becomes greed, or you lose what you held. Let go a little and let things flow.
For ways of reading reversed cards, see how to read reversals.
Love
Possessiveness or fear of losing someone.
Learning to trust and let go.
Work
Holding on to your position.
Fear of change at work.
Money
Saving and protecting your assets.
Stinginess, or losses.
Relationships
Guarded with others.
Being too controlling.
Health
Stable health.
Tension from holding things in.
Tarot does not diagnose physical conditions. If you have symptoms that worry you, please see a doctor.
Mind and spirit
Security in yourself.
Attachment to material things.
As a person
A careful, security-minded person.
Someone tight-fisted or possessive.
Timing
Things stay stable for a while. In the calendar, mid January is also a guide (roughly January 10–19).
Advice
Protect what matters, but stay open.
Loosen your grip.
Questions to ask yourself
- What am I holding on to?
- What am I afraid to lose?
- Where can I be more generous?
A common misreading
The Four of Pentacles isn’t only greed. It can be healthy saving and stability.
The story of this card
Four brings stability to earth, but stability can harden into holding on.
The Waite deck’s picture and symbols
In the Waite deck a crowned man sits holding a pentacle tightly, with one on his head and two under his feet. A town stands behind him.
History and differences between traditions
The Golden Dawn named it Lord of Earthly Power.
Words for today
I feel secure enough to share.
I let things flow.