 | Upright: Generosity, sharing, balance, aid, abundance Reversed: Imbalance, selfishness, dependency, unfairness, scarcity |
The Six of Pentacles captures the delicate dance of giving and receiving—one hand offers help, another takes with grace. It paints a world where abundance flows through sharing, yet underscores the need for fairness and equilibrium. This card whispers how generosity enriches both spirit and substance.
Numerological Value
The Six of Pentacles carries 6, a number of harmony, balance, and mutual support. In tarot, six reflects fair exchange in bonds and resources.
Element
Linked to Earth, this card roots in the tangible—wealth, security, and reality. Earth gives the Six of Pentacles a grounded, practical generosity.
Astrological Value
Tied to Taurus and shaped by the Moon, the Six of Pentacles blends Taurus’ stability with the Moon’s emotional depth, amplifying its themes of sharing and plenty.
General Meaning of the Card
| Upright Meaning | Reversed Meaning |
|---|---|
| Generosity and kindness | Selfishness or stinginess |
| Balance in giving and taking | Uneven or unjust sharing |
| Material or emotional abundance | Lack or scarcity of resources |
| Offering or receiving support | Dependency or exploitation |
| Justice and mutual gain | Power abuse or inequity |
| Card’s Message: | Card’s Message: |
| – Share and thrive! | – Seek balance, be fair! |
| – Help given, help gained! | – Drop greed, live justly! |
| – Plenty’s enough for all! | – Break free of need, stand tall! |
“Share to grow, be fair to last!”
Love and Relationship Readings
Upright Meaning
In love, the Six of Pentacles brings generosity and mutual care. You and your partner share love, time, or comfort—balance bonds you. If single, someone might offer emotional warmth.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, love tips uneven. You give too much and get little, or selfishness creeps in. If single, you fear dependency or unfairness in romance.
Career and Work Readings
Upright Meaning
At work, the Six of Pentacles signals aid and teamwork. A mentor guides you, or you lift a peer—abundance and fairness reign.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, work’s unjust. Your efforts go unpaid, or someone exploits you—resources skew.
Finances and Money
Upright Meaning
Financially, the Six of Pentacles offers balance and sharing. You get or give help—cash flows fairly, easing stress.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, money’s off-kilter. You’re stingy or used—debts or want weigh heavy.
Personality and Archetypes
Upright Meaning
Upright, it’s a giving, balanced soul. The “Benefactor” archetype shares and fosters plenty.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, it’s a selfish or needy spirit. The “Miser” or “Beggar” archetype hoards or takes.
Health
Upright Meaning
In health, the Six of Pentacles brings care and recovery. You get or give support—body and soul align.
Reversed Meaning
Reversed, health’s uneven. You neglect yourself or overgive—burnout looms.
Yes/No
Upright Meaning
Yes—If seeking sharing and balance, yes.
Reversed Meaning
No—If chasing fairness or growth, no.
Symbolism of the Card
The Six of Pentacles’ imagery lays bare its give-and-take heart. A merchant, scales in hand, drops coins to two poor souls—fairness and generosity in action. The scales weigh equity; pentacles signal worldly wealth. His rich robes flaunt power and willingness to share. The beggars’ bent forms show need and gratitude. The backdrop’s simple, steady—Earth’s stability shines. Together, these symbols declare: abundance gains meaning when shared, but only if the scales hold true.
General Description of the Card
The Six of Pentacles is life’s moment of hands meeting—one offers, one takes, a quiet trade of bread or thanks. In myth, it’s Midas reversed—wealth shines when passed on. It echoes the “Generous King” of tales—his coffers open, scales level. Psychologically, it taps Jung’s “interdependence”—giving and receiving steady the soul, but tilt the flow, and peace slips. Freud might see it as power play—kindness masking control or craving love.
Grounded in Earth, this card grips the real—money, time, care, all touchable. You’re in a garden, basket of fruit in hand—some for you, some for a neighbor; skew the split, and it withers. The Six of Pentacles asks, “How much do you give, how much do you take?” It’s gift and gauntlet—generosity lifts, but selfishness or need sinks you. Balance is its cry; share without draining, take without leaching. This card calls you to weigh that scale and live abundance fairly—true riches bloom not alone, but together.
Upright Meaning Explanation
When the Six of Pentacles stands upright, it’s like holding a sack of gold and sprinkling it around—one hand aids, another thanks, life hums with give-and-take. Picture your partner’s rough day—you listen, hug; next day, they brew your coffee—a sweet equilibrium. Or at work, you help a struggling teammate; later, the boss nods your way. This card sketches generosity and sharing; plenty circles, and you’re in its flow. Life hands you a scale—one side your gifts, the other your gains; both match, both brim.
But there’s a catch: keep it even. Say you lend cash to a pal, they gift you back—exchange warms you, scales steady. The Six of Pentacles says, “Live this”—sharing grows you and yours, heartens the spirit. Then adds: “Stay just, or peace wobbles.” Those coins are yours, sure, but deal them fairly—neither hoard nor squander. This card casts you as that kind merchant, scales in grip—don’t drop them; abundance turns treasure when shared and balanced.
Reversed Meaning Explanation
Reversed, the Six of Pentacles tips the scales—either you clutch your stash, or hands grab too much; rhythm’s off, unfairness creeps in. Imagine your partner always leans on you, blind to your fatigue; or you withhold love, guarding it tight. At work, you aid all, but no one returns it—or you shirk the team. This card tells of imbalance, greed, or need; coins linger, but pile up wrong or slip away. Life says “Fix it,” yet you freeze giving or can’t take—abundance fades, scarcity stings.
It’s a wake-up bell; that generous garden dries—sharing’s lopsided. Maybe you fund a friend endlessly, but they just expect now, no thanks; or you clutch savings, “Mine alone.” Reversed, the Six of Pentacles says, “Find the middle”—this skew drains or isolates you. It’s not over; just reset the scales—don’t exploit, don’t be used. The card murmurs, “Be fair”—coins remain, but free them right or keep what’s yours. The Six of Pentacles reversed begs you shed this tilt and reclaim balance—true plenty hides not in greed or need, but between.
