Tarot Arcana Four of Pentacles: A Strong Grip

Description: A man sits on a ledge, he is dressed in a blue robe, a red dress. His head is crowned with a crown, and even higher above the crown is one of the four pentacles. The man jealously holds the second pentacle in his hands. The other two rest under his feet. Behind this man is a large, rich city.

The main meanings of the card in the upright position:

1. «Greedy» in terms of displaying emotions;
2. Refusal of a loan or credit;
3. Concern about material success;
4. Turning your back to those who have helped;
5. Focus, determination, prudence in business contracts;
6. Excessive concern for the future;
7. Greed, stinginess;
8. Fear of any changes;
9. One step away from stagnation or collapse;
10. Overly conservative attitude to life;
11. Closing your eyes to new opportunities;
12. Rooted prejudice;
13. Fear of open relationships;
14. Fear of being abandoned, forsaken;
15. Enrichment, wise money management;
16. A solid financial foundation;
17. Conservative investments, buying a house;
18. Successful completion of affairs;
19. A gift, inheritance;
20. Excessive caution;
21. A good «nose» for business.

The main meanings of the card in the inverted position:

1. The meanings of the card in the upright position (p. 1 and 2), only worse;
2. A major loss or serious obstacle;
3. Unreasonable spending, easy attitude to money;
4. Greed, fear of losing property;
5. Problems with the budget;
6. An unsuccessful attempt to shift part of the responsibility to others;
7. Meager rewards;
8. Timidity;
9. Suspicion;
10. Selfishness;
11. Obstacles, failure;
12. Self-interest;
13. Quarrels over property/inheritance.

A rich man sits on a stool; a city is visible behind him. The man holds one denarius in his hands, another decorates his hat, and two others lie under his feet.

This card could be called «The Greedy Man» — however, rather in a moral sense than in a material one. He is afraid or ashamed to show his feelings, and each time he thinks for a long time: is it possible, is it necessary to show a loved one that he loves him? Is it possible to be guided by the movement of the soul, or isn't cold calculation better?

But if you don't spend your strength, it runs out: if you economize on feelings, they «sour» and can eventually turn into their opposite. The man remains alone. Don't be shy about feelings, this card says; not everything in the world can be tested by cold calculation.

In the «Aquarius Tarot» it shows a man who has already overcome his «greed». In fortune telling practice, it can also have a direct meaning — for example, you will be denied a loan or credit. In the upright position, the situation can still be fixed: you can convince the person to share their feelings with others or apply for money elsewhere.

In the inverted position, the situation is almost hopeless: you will not convince the person, and they will not give you a loan anywhere.

(E. Kolesov «Tarot ABC»)

DESCRIPTION: A crowned figure sits on a small bench, clutching a pentacle to his chest. This figure obviously came from a city that is visible in the distance, and it seems that this person is doing everything possible to preserve his property. He looks so cautious and suspicious, as if jealously guarding the fruits of his labor. Element: Earth.

EXPLANATION: Drawing this card shows that you are overly concerned with material success and physical possessions. In addition, you may have turned your back on the society that provided you with opportunities to accumulate your wealth. Holding on to what you have accumulated gives you a sense of peace, but at the same time there is a risk of becoming an unhappy, stingy person. However, you are focused, determined, and also prudent in your business dealings, with clear goals.

REVERSED MEANING: You have faced a major loss or serious obstacles. Another meaning of the reversed card: you are too free with your money, you need to stop unjustified spending.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT LESSON: Pulling this card may mean that you have turned your back on your friends and colleagues and closed yourself off to new ideas and creative thoughts. You need to open your heart and mind and listen to the advice of those who can help you.

(N. Drewry «Tarot. Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»)

The Four of Pentacles signifies excessive concern for the future, manifested in greed, stinginess, and a deep-seated fear of any change. Such an “attitude” is inherently hostile to life, because any attempts to “stop the moment,” to keep everything as it is, are not only futile, but also contradict the natural course of things. Thus, this card usually indicates that we are one step away from stagnation (stagnation), and is often a harbinger of the Tower (16), which means a break in the hardened crust. If the Four of Pentacles finds itself in a position that requires such behavior from us, then this means that at this moment we need to concentrate, limit ourselves in something, retreat — or, having taken up the matter, not let it out of our hands.

WORK: Here this card shows that we cling to our position or, at least, expect it to guarantee us a stable income and well-being. It is an expression of an overly conservative attitude to life, which blocks our path to new, more favorable situations. Sometimes it means that we are simply accustomed to thinking and acting in a certain way, unwilling to reconsider our positions or learn something new. We are desperately trying to squeeze at least something more out of an exhausted field, while new paths and opportunities have long been waiting for us; or we simply do not want to notice them, because we do not believe in their reliability, preferring to hold on to our miserable but familiar chair.

CONSCIOUSNESS: On the level of consciousness, the Four of Pentacles means a certain idée fixe or ingrained prejudice that prevents us from perceiving new opportunities and views. Here it plays the role of a warning: we are close to falling victim to our own stubbornness or our own limitations. This card should be perceived as advice to abandon our previous ideas as soon as possible, to learn to perceive new views and ways of acting, because otherwise we will face a crisis that will ultimately force us to do so.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: A sad state. A person is afraid of open, natural relationships, trying to replace them with rituals and once and for all set patterns of behavior. A person “clings” to a partner, which speaks of his subconscious fear of being abandoned, abandoned. And, although these attempts are humanly understandable, they are also stupid: where trust is replaced by constant concern (“what will happen tomorrow?”), and natural human relationships are replaced by ritual, “contractual”, all love dies. Therefore, the Four of Pentacles here also serves as a warning: even if such concern is the result of the best intentions, it will still lead to a break.

Fours in Tarot

The number «four» is associated with the Emperor card, the planet Saturn and the astrological sign of Aquarius. Saturn is the planet of order, work, strength, control, discipline, organization, structure, crystallization, firmness, foundation, practicality, patience, mathematical precision, economy, property, real estate, endurance, eternal values. Negative traits of Saturn and Aquarius are dogmatism, inflexibility, stubbornness, depression, melancholy, excessive seriousness. Aquarians are progressive, have a humanitarian mindset, are independent, bohemian, unusual and somewhat eccentric.

The presence of fours in the layout indicates the right time to lay the foundation for future success. Now is the beginning of a period of hard work, organizing new things and structuring your life. Sometimes Saturn can make you feel like you are being restricted in some way or that you have taken on an unbearable burden. Perhaps right now you need to make an important decision, but you should do it very carefully. During this period of time you may be ill, or you may simply need to rest and recuperate. The influence of Aquarius attracts unusual or eccentric people into your life.

In astrology, Saturn is associated with karma. If you have a lot of 4s in your spread, then you may be paying off your karmic debts. It will be good if you pay attention to details, self-discipline, tidying up, organizing, and structuring your life. All important decisions and major changes should be made only after careful consideration.

Four of Pentacles Upright

Key words and phrases: Getting rich. Possession. Hard work paid for. Smart money management. Financial security. A solid financial foundation. A balanced budget. Ownership. Receiving money. Material acquisitions and the ability to make them. Sound business judgment. Holding on to property with all one's might. Asking for guarantees. Buying a house. Conservative investments. Thorough study. Deep-seated beliefs. Passing an exam. Being overly cautious. A gift. An inheritance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You can't be too careful. Remember this.

Situation and Advice:The Four of Pentacles signifies financial security. You may have a chance to get rich or increase your wealth. Sometimes this card indicates that you are too conservative or stingy because you are afraid to take risks. Perhaps you cling too much to your deep-rooted beliefs, trying your best to stick to the «status quo»? It seems that you are simply afraid of losing everything that you have earned with your own labor. You must learn to delegate some of the work to others, instead of trying to do everything yourself. Usually, the Four of Pentacles indicates a so-called good «smell» in business and a desire to work hard for material acquisitions. If your question concerned the financial area, then the Four of Pentacles says that your financial affairs will be in perfect order and some material acquisitions are possible in the near future. If the essence of the question was an interest in a relationship with a certain person, the Four of Pentacles warns that in this relationship material interests prevail over emotional ones.

People:Bankers. Financial workers. Wealthy people. Conservatives.

Four of Pentacles Reversed

Keywords and phrases: Greed. Uncontrollable fear of losing property. Budget problems. Insecurity. Carelessness. Extravagance. Poor financial management. Losing money. Inability to get rid of problems. Unsuccessful attempt to shift some responsibility to others. Inadequate payment for services rendered. Meager rewards. Delays in action. Obstacles. Envy. Fear of failure. Timidity. Suspicion. Justifying oneself. Selfishness. Resistance. Lack of initiative. Unnecessary spending. Money problems. Unbalanced budget. Extravagance. Failure to complete. Failure on exam. Cannot obtain satisfaction. Owner's Instinct.

Situation and Advice:You may be having trouble spending money wisely, saving, or balancing your budget. Your thoughts are preoccupied with security, finances, or some other area. You are holding on to something with all your might instead of letting it go. The problem is that you are too timid or constantly making excuses, and this prevents you from achieving success. Delays in business are possible.

People:Misers. Greedy people. Spenders. People who do not know how to manage money. Powerless people. Evil and envious people. Miserly people. Ultra-conservatives. Those who care too much about money.

The meaning and inner meaning of the Four of Pentacles Arcana

The meaning of the Four of Pentacles in the upright position:

• Gift, Gift, Generosity, Beneficence, Generosity, New Year's gifts, Mercy, Sacrifice, Gift, Reward, Service, White color, Lunar medicine.

Other meanings of the Four of Pentacles tarot in the upright position:

• reliability, contentment
• confidence born of wealth, greed, gift, inheritance

The correct Four of Pentacles tarot card predicts a period of financial and material security based on a substantial gift or inheritance, as well as on the successful commercial activity of the Client. His hard work and business acumen have led to an increase in status, power and material reward. All the material and emotional needs of the Client are satisfied.

The Tarot card Four of Pentacles means property, talent, gift. Preservation of what belongs to you. Inheritance. Satisfaction with personal status. In addition, an established situation in business or personal life; absence of worries. Good premonitions about the future.

Interpretation in the inverted position:

• Fence, Circle, Circulation around a common center, Limitation of outlines, Circle, Rotation (circulation).
• Intersection, Obstruction, Clogging, Accumulation, Monastery, Abode.
• Sentence, Appointed, Determined, Final, Edge, Outskirts, Borders, Limits, Terms, End, Outpost, Partition, Wall, Fence, Enclosure.
• Obstacles, Barriers, Barrier, Difficulty, Delay, Slowdown, Resistance.

Other meanings of the inverted Four of Pentacles Tarot:

• opposition, distance from the goal, inability to control the situation
• stinginess, fear of loss, indecision, obstacle
• loss of control, loss of financial stability, impotence

In the wrong orientation, the Four of Pentacles Tarot points to problems of excessive commitment to material wealth and property: greed, self-interest and stinginess. Fear of losing power or wealth is the main concern of the Client's life, which prevents them from making urgently needed changes (the surrounding cards will show in which areas of life).

The inverted Tarot card Four of Pentacles means opposition, uncertainty, delays, obstacles. Possible loss. Possible quarrels, especially with people close to the Questioner (for example, quarrels over property or inheritance).

Inner meaning

The Four of Pentacles Tarot card is a card of owning and preserving what is yours. Your property is rightfully earned or inherited. (Note that «inherited» property includes skill and talent.)

The Four of Pentacles also suggests that the Questioner feels the need to defend or protect their property. Other cards in the layout will indicate whether this feeling is justified or not. This card also warns that resting on your laurels may be pleasant, but it prevents you from moving forward and preparing yourself for the future.

Sources:

1. N. Drewry«Tarot. A Step-by-Step Guide to Studying»
2. E. Kolesov«The ABCs of Tarot»
3. Unknown author«Basic Information for Reading Tarot Cards»
4. H. Banzhaf«A Self-Study Guide to Tarot»
5. Anthony Lewis«Tarot Made Simple and Clear»

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