Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning

If you have ever heard the story of King Midas, then you know the dangers of allowing one’s desire for the material world to take over. The Four of Pentacles brings a similar message, one that highlights the dark issues we as humans have with materialism and control.

Although sometimes, this card can signify the need for financial security, it often accompanies a sense of ungratefulness and a need to possess much more than what is needed.

Four of Pentacles Key Words#

Before we dive deeper into the upright- and reversed Four of Pentacles card meaning, its connection to love, work and life, and the most card combinations, below a quick overview of the words that are represented by this pentacles card.

Upright	A need for control, greed, materialism, blocking change
Reversed	Release of the past, giving up control, generosity, acceptance
Yes or No	Yes
Numerology	4
Element	Earth
Planet	Saturn
Astrological Sign	Capricorn

Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Description#

To fully understand the Four of Pentacles tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, its colors, and symbolism.

Four of Pentacles tarot card, Spark Bloom Edition — Four of Pentacles tarot card, upright

Four of Pentacles tarot card, Rider–Waite–Smith deck — Four of Pentacles tarot card, upright

If the Four of Pentacles had a theme song it would definitely be For the Love of Money by the O' Jays. If you are not familiar with this 1970s soul classic, the lyrics below sum it up:

Money money money money, money

Some people got to have it
Some people really need it

It is easy to see that the man depicted on the Four of Pentacles is definitely one of those people. As he sits on a chair that oozes royalty..or does he? Some people believe the man is not a king at all.

Others think that his lack of a throne and real crown symbolize all he has given up for his pursuit of money. Either way, it is easy to see that materialism abounds.

On the Four of Pentacles, the wealthy man balances a golden coin on top of his crown, preventing his connection with the divine.

His two arms hold money just like the gentleman depicted in the Two of Pentacles. However, the coin he clings to is not in his palm. Symbolizing his fear to lose control, his arms are wrapped tightly around his financial nest.

Nevertheless, the man’s obsession with his money does not end there as both feet are firmly panted on flattened coins.

Sitting high above a vast city and not able to go anywhere, this man of immense power seems isolated and alone, focused only on the financial aspects of life. Perhaps he has lost it all because of his quest.

The black shawl that envelops him like a cloud represents the control that the money has on his existence. Even so, the smug look on his face seems to be one of pride and satisfaction.

The man gracing the Four of Pentacles appears happy with his finance-focused existence, even though he has sacrificed so much.

Four of Pentacles Meaning#

As with all tarot cards, the meaning of the Four of Pentacles is not set in stone. The power of the tarot lies in being able to deliver a universal message to your personal situation.

This is especially true with the four of pentacles, as some view the upright position as a warning to save while others see it as a chastisement against greed.

Open your mind and heart as you read the interpretations below and you will intuitively know which is the case for you.

Money and Career Meaning#

The number four symbolizes security and the need for stability. Financial security is something that the majority of people seek, but with anything, there is a way to take it too far.

In a money and career reading, the Four of Pentacles can symbolize material security but cautions against being too materialistic.

If your quest for success has caused you to isolate yourself from family and friends, do the means really justify the ends?

You can have security without having to be finance-focused all of the time. Consider working toward a balanced life where one aspect isn’t more important than another.

Love and Relationships Meaning#

The way our wealthy friend keeps his body connected to his money also signifies something else: a need for control. When it comes to love and relationships the Four of Pentacles can symbolize a dynamic of possessiveness, jealousy, or insecurity; it is not proof of either person’s feelings.

It is important to remember that holding on to something too tightly doesn’t keep it with you, it suffocates it. If a relationship or past hurt feels difficult to release, the Four of Pentacles can prompt reflection on attachment and boundaries. Assess the relationship through behavior and circumstances rather than labeling it from the card.

If you are concerned about controlling behavior, examine concrete examples and seek appropriate support. The card cannot establish who is controlling or dictate a decision.

Acceptance may help clarify what you can and cannot change, but it does not guarantee power or strength.

Health and Spirituality Meaning#

If you are physically sick or suffering emotionally, the Four of Pentacles in a health context can symbolize feeling constrained, but it cannot diagnose the cause of physical or emotional distress.

If you are holding on to any worries, fears, or negative emotions, those feelings may affect your well-being, but they should not be assumed to explain physical symptoms.

Talking to a friend, counselor, or even a qualified clinician can help assess appropriate care if you feel that you are struggling in these areas.

Four of Pentacles Reversed#

In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Four of Pentacles tarot card in the reversed position.

Four of Pentacles tarot card, Spark Bloom Edition, reversed — Four of Pentacles tarot card, reversed

Four of Pentacles tarot card, Rider–Waite–Smith deck, reversed — Four of Pentacles tarot card, reversed

What goes up, must come down. This is a universal law. The Four of Pentacles reversed represents what can happen if you choose to let it all go.

Reversed, the card can symbolize release or a wish for acceptance; it does not establish your readiness or require a particular response.

The reversal can prompt reflection on restrictive patterns, resentment, or relationships that do not respect your boundaries. Choose financial, career, relationship, and health changes from evidence and appropriate support rather than assuming that one new path guarantees progress.

Instead, think about what is important for you, specifically when it comes to money and wealth. The Four of Pentacles reversed is ushering in change. Will you fight the current or move with it?

Lastly, the Four of Pentacles reversed can signify financial insecurity and instability. Have you lost something valuable or did you perhaps suffer financial losses through risky investments?

If so, this card tells you that you need to start getting a proper hold of your actual financial resources.

However, the reversed Four of Pentacles can also represent not holding onto the money because of good intentions.

Maybe you’re just being generous, sharing your wealth with others because you came to the realization that wealth won’t make you happy: only love.

Four of Pentacles: Yes or No#

The Four of Pentacles in a Yes or No reading traditionally leans toward yes while emphasizing caution. Security and stability are themes of the card, not predictions, but frugality is important too.

Before you jump into a business or investment, look at all of the details. Avoid excess and be resourceful if you want to move forward.

Four of Pentacles and Astrology#

The Four of Pentacles is associated with stability and financial security, connecting him to the sign Capricorn.

Capricorn is like the traditional business- person of the Zodiac. Practical, earthy, and enduring, this sign is ruled by Saturn and associated with institutions, religion, government, frameworks, and the past.

Important Card Combinations#

Rapid changes, control issues, blockages, and arguments about money. Combined with other cards, the Four of Pentacles is also about a need for control, blocking change, and security. Below you can find the most important card combinations of the Four of Pentacles.

Four of Pentacles and the Fool#

Although taking risks often leads to reward, the Fool and the Four of Pentacles together encourage you to scale back a bit. Avoid being foolish with money or too spontaneous.

Impulse buying can create regret, but use your budget and current evidence (not the cards) to decide whether to delay a purchase.

Four of Pentacles and the Wheel of Fortune#

This card combo with the Wheel of Fortune tarot card can symbolize tension between security and change. It does not establish that rapid change is occurring.

So, don’t be alarmed if lots of things begin to happen at once. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

Four of Pentacles and the Chariot, Emperor, or the Hanged Man#

If this number four is paired with either the Emperor, the Chariot, or the Hanged Man, the pairing can raise themes of control, structure, or resistance to change. The first two suggest that you are craving control, structure, and order.

Although these things are needed in some cases, trying to maintain power over everything can cause the exact opposite of what we want: chaos.

The Hanged Man suggests letting go. Letting go may create room for relief, but it does not guarantee peace of mind.

Four of Pentacles and the Tower#

The Four of Pentacles and the Tower can symbolize tension around money. Do not treat the pair as proof that a fight will occur or assume who will be involved.

Family or inheritance tensions are possible themes, not a prediction about who will be involved. Regardless, you’ll need to stand firm and hold your composure.

Four of Pentacles and the Two of Swords#

If you feel like things are at a stalemate, you are right. When paired, the Four of Pentacles and the Two of Swords represent a blockage of some kind.

This might be a breakdown of communication, a plan, that has gone awry at work, or a so-called chakra issue that needs to be fixed, which is a subjective spiritual framing. Look for the source of the problem, and then you’ll be able to formulate a plan better.

Four of Pentacles in other Tarot Decks#

All my tarot card descriptions are based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, but this doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many lovely decks out there! Below you can find a small selection of beautiful Four of Pentacles cards.

four of pentacles modern way tarot deck — Image credit: The Modern Way Tarot

Four of Pentacles in a Reading#

That’s all for the Four of Pentacles meaning. If this card turned up in your reading, it may symbolize your need for security and stability. Or maybe it tells you that it’s time to set some money aside.

Either way, I’m really curious if the meaning resonated with you and would love to hear from you! So please take a minute to leave a comment below.

Frequently asked questions about Four of Pentacles

What Does Four of Pentacles Mean as Feelings?

As feelings, the Four of Pentacles can describe guardedness, a wish for control or reluctance to reveal what feels vulnerable. Treat this as a possible relational pattern to verify through communication, not proof of what another person feels.

What Is the Advantage of Four of Pentacles?

At its most constructive, the Four of Pentacles can represent prudent limits, a reserve for what matters and awareness of what you can afford to give. Its shadow is control becoming rigidity, so the useful question is whether the boundary protects something necessary or merely prevents movement.

What Is Four of Pentacles as an Action?

As an action, the Four of Pentacles suggests reviewing what you are protecting and why. In a financial question, use real figures and qualified advice where appropriate; the card itself cannot tell you whether to save, sell, hold an asset or avoid a particular expense.