Eight of Pentacles

Eight of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A craftsperson diligently works on carving pentacles.

General Themes: Skill-building, dedication, apprenticeship, focus.

Eight of Pentacles Upright

This is one of those cards that reminds us that our daily work is sacred. The magic is in the repetition of our skills. So often we want loud, splashy, and big. But much goodness is conjured when we show up every day to do what we need to do. It’s not glamorous or flashy, but it makes for the longest-lasting change.

Appreciate all you’ve mastered and don’t take your experience and wisdom for granted. Remember when you wished to be in this place? You’ve come a long way. But there is always more to learn. Isn’t that wonderful?

This card is an invitation to keep learning, keep growing, keep refining your craft. Then enjoy the magic you make from your devotion.

Eight of Pentacles Reversed

Like the Four of Swords (both upright and reversed), this reversal gives you permission to rest. In fact, rest is the most productive thing you can do right now. We need to appreciate our fallow periods just as much as our high-producing ones. I think of this in terms of my garden: sure, I love the growing season and enjoying all the fruits of my labors. But that abundance can only come after a season of rest. The soil needs to rebuild itself, and seeds need stratification. Even in spring, we seldom see all the growth that goes into new life until those seeds break the surface. So rest. It’s an integral part of growth and development.

When you are ready for more extroverted productivity, work smarter, not harder. Think about the big picture and where you can best apply your energy to produce results. Sometimes this card appears when we’re getting down on ourselves. Either impostor syndrome flares up or we’re dissatisfied with how something turned out. Just take a step back to get some perspective and remember, perfection is overrated.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Seven of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A figure pauses to assess growing pentacles on a vine.

General Themes: Patience, evaluation, long-term investment.

Seven of Pentacles Upright

In this card, a figure pauses in their labor to take stock of the pentacles, or coins, they have amassed. Notice how the coins seem to grow from vines, as if they were fruit. That’s how abundance works. We tend things, nourish them, and watch them grow. When the Seven of Pentacles appears, it’s an invitation to pause and take stock of your wealth in all aspects of your life. Get a big-picture perspective of your life and the growth you’ve manifested. Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come when we’re working hard.

And speaking of working hard…this card invites you to work smarter, not harder. Labor is only as useful as the results it brings, so don’t waste time toiling away on things that won’t bear fruit. This is an important skill to learn on the road to an abundant life. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind or take on too much. Here, however, wealth comes from carefully tending what is yours to tend—no more, no less.

Invest only in what will pay off in the long run. Now is the time to be strategic.

Seven of Pentacles Reversed

Reversed, the Seven of Pentacles is pointing to some sort of leak—energetically or monetarily. Take careful stock of where you are investing your time, energy, and money. Where are you losing valuable resources? Where is your investment paying off? You have to stop the leak if you want to rebuild your proverbial pile of coins.

Stop investing in dead-end situations, relationships, or ventures. You can’t cultivate an abundance mindset if you’re leaking energy—including engaging in low-vibe behavior like negative thinking. That makes it impossible to ever advance in your profession or other parts of your life. Remember, money, at the end of the day, is about energy. So if you’re losing it somewhere, you have to find the cause of the energy drain.

Invest instead in what provides concrete, stable returns. This isn’t about fast-acting results or too-good-to-be-true get-rich-quick plans. It’s about giving your time and energy to things that will eventually bloom and grow as you tend them.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Six of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A wealthy figure gives coins to others while holding scales.

General Themes: Generosity, reciprocity, fairness, material balance.

Six of Pentacles Upright

This is an interesting card, metaphysically, although I suppose I could say that about all the cards. The Six of Pentacles is about a generosity of spirit. What you give out comes back to you in one way or another. While the Two of Pentacles cautions against miserliness, this card celebrates that giving spirit.

That said, as someone who has perpetually given out too much because of that generosity of spirit, I want to offer this card with a caution. This isn’t about giving freely at the expense of your own well-being. In fact, that’s not healthy for you or the people you’re giving to (or worse, you’re letting energy vampires feed off you—bad stuff!). Rather, this card is about enjoying a healthy flow of energy and knowing that a healthy sense of generosity to yourself and others is magnetic.

Perhaps more significantly, this card is about tending the impoverished parts of yourself. Where have you been stingy with yourself? Where have you cut off the flow of joy? What parts of you have gone dormant? Send energy their way. Relax into those spaces. Turn your attention toward nourishing them. You are allowed to be a whole person.

Six of Pentacles Reversed

Again, the reversal of this card begs you to be generous with yourself. You don’t always have to be giving and giving until your inner well runs dry. Be as generous with yourself as you are to others. Indulge. Relax. Feed the parts of yourself that are starved for nourishment.

While the upright form of this card speaks to an abundant spirit both with yourself and others, its reversal explicitly invites self-care and self-love. Be kind to yourself. If you are used to being the caretaker, it can be hard to let go and apply that energy to yourself. Give yourself permission to fill your inner well without apology.

Imagine what your life would look like if you fed the impoverished parts of yourself. See how you will flourish!

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Five of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: Two figures struggle through snow beneath a stained-glass window.

General Themes: Remembering support exists; you are not alone.

Five of Pentacles Upright

The Five of Pentacles is a card of despair and isolation. Typically, you pull it when you are feeling left out in the cold, like the figures in the card. This could be because you are feeling disconnected from loved ones or because you are disconnected from your true self.

Like all Fives, this card flips the script on how we read upright cards. It comes to shake us up after the security of the Fours. Suddenly, you feel less secure and might struggle to make your way in the world. Remember, tarot is all about energy, so this could be literal (you got fired from your job or you’ve been iced out of your social circle), but more often than not, it’s about an energetic freeze.

As with all things, a return to your soul center is required. Let go of outer scarcity and turn to your inner light. See the stained-glass window in the image that shines a light on the figures trudging through snow? That’s the card’s promise that warmth and connection are within reach, if only we look up.

Five of Pentacles Reversed

This card is like a deep exhale after holding your breath for a bit, waiting to see how things will pan out. You survived. The sad energy of the upright form is banished in this card’s reversal.

You’ve come back to yourself after an ordeal. Heal. Decompress. And appreciate being on the other side of things. Remember this too: you are never truly alone. That stained-glass window above the figures always promises light and belonging if we’re willing to reach for it.

In fact, the Five of Pentacles in reverse is a somber reminder that abundance and connection come first and foremost from being true to self. Return to your inner light and everything else will follow.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Four of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A figure clutches coins to their chest, head, and feet, guarding material resources.

General Themes: Security, conservation, control of resources, scarcity mindset.

Four of Pentacles Upright

This card appears when a scarcity mindset creeps in. You don’t need to hold on so tightly to your resources. In fact, the more you try to hold onto your wealth—both literal and metaphorical—the more it leaks out of you. It seems counterintuitive, but if you loosen up, you don’t lose that hard-earned wealth; you’ll add to it.

The Four of Pentacles invites us to cultivate an abundance mindset. It’s a reminder that you are a capable, empowered being who has the ability to nurture and maintain wealth in all things. So loosen up!

This card can also signal that you are being stingy with yourself energetically, not just monetarily. When it appears, ask yourself where you feel restricted in your life. Often, we tighten our energy when we want to feel safe or in control. Examine the situation and allow yourself to breathe into the discomfort. Notice how flowing allows for more abundance and insight than restriction.

Four of Pentacles Reversed

Reversed, the message is much the same: cultivate an abundance spirit. There is a greater sense of safety in this card’s reversal, however, as if the figure no longer needs to hold on so tightly to their resources.

Release your need for control and security. Again, it seems counterintuitive, but the harder you hold on to your assets, the more you restrict growth—if you let go, the more abundance you create naturally through the return of flow. In other words, prosperity comes from living in harmony with your true nature and nurturing energies that feed your interests.

This card in reverse can also appear when you’ve successfully outgrown your scarcity mentality. Keep staying open, keep flowing, keep nourishing that which feeds your soul.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Three of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: Three figures work together within a sacred architectural space.

General Themes: Skill, collaboration, building something meaningful with others.

Three of Pentacles Upright

This card emphasizes meaningful collaboration and hard work. It’s not about hard work for the sake of hard work, but productive labor. There’s a magic to applying yourself to your craft, day in, day out. The Three of Pentacles is an invitation to bring your dream to life. You have the vision and the ability; now you just need to apply yourself. This isn’t a time for shortcuts, vision without action, or self-doubt. Apply yourself, and the seeds you plant will sprout.

It might not feel like you are making progress in the moment. The key is to embrace the process. Think of it as a form of conjuring. The time, energy, and effort you put into your task will ultimately pay off.

Three of Pentacles Reversed

The reversal of this card asks you to slow down. Take your time with new projects. Things might feel stagnant, so it is important that you examine where the energetic blockage is and move from there.

In its upright form, this card encourages collaborative work. Here, the card gives you permission to work solo, if you need to, or at least on a smaller scale, both socially and in terms of the scope of your project.

Return to the basics. Find your inspiration in the daily practice of showing up, even if you don’t have all the answers yet. Let new inspiration come from your devotion to your craft and from practicing the fundamental skills that got you where you are. They will come when the universe knows you’re willing to do the work.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Two of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A figure goggles coins bound by an infinity symbol. In the background are ships on turbulent seas.

General themes: Balance, adaptability, managing material demands.

Two of Pentacles Upright

Two of Pentacles Upright is the proverbial juggler of the tarot. It celebrates flexibility and balance, especially when you are juggling a lot—there’s that word again—or grappling with several pressing issues. Of course, when we are overwhelmed, it is easy to get stressed and uptight. This card tells us to loosen up! The best approach here is to stay flexible and fluid. In fact, letting go a little bit will help you see things in a different light—and find more long-lasting solutions.

Life is always changing, so it's best to move with it! Even better, cultivate more work-life balance and resist the urge to overwork. Sometimes we take on more than we should out of nervous energy or because we’ve conditioned ourselves to always be doing something. Instead, do less but better and welcome in a more fluid way of being. Be like a tree: bending and swaying in the wind, rather than breaking. 

Two of Pentacles Reversed

When this card appears reversed, it wants you to focus on your priorities. There will always be one more thing to do and one more promise to make. Before you do, pause and ask yourself if it’s a worthwhile commitment. Chances are, people-pleasing is behind the temptation to take on more than you can handle.

Let go of distractions. They only weigh you down. Part of maintaining balance is being honest about what you can realistically juggle day in, day out. Often, we think doing more makes us more productive or successful. In reality, success comes from balance and alignment. 

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Ace of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles Upright

Element: Earth

Imagery: A floating hand holds a golden coin over a garden path and archway.

General themes: Manifestation, embodiment, practical beginnings.

Ace of Pentacles Upright

The Ace of Pentacles is an invitation to begin again. The clouds have parted, the sun—here, a golden pentacle—is shining, and a whole new world beckons to you just beyond the verdant archway. Opportunities abound!

Pentacles often represent financial situations and worldly concerns, so this card is always a good omen when it comes to career opportunities or anything else that nourishes an abundant life. 

The potential for abundance is there, but, as with all Ace cards, you need to act on that energy, or it will dissipate. Aces invite you to strike while inspiration is there, and you will succeed. Trust this influx of creative energy and invest in your vision. It will bear fruit.

Ace of Pentacles Reversed

When this card is reversed, it cautions against impulsive financial investments or risky career moves. Even if something seems like a sound idea, the chances are that it is too good to be true. Ask yourself: Do you have all the facts? What are the drawbacks to this venture? What’s the fine print here? Take a step back and examine the situation from all perspectives, including the vibes. If a picture-perfect scenario is giving you the creeps, listen to that feeling. 

Similarly, this is a call to get organized and serious about the work you want to do. Are you putting in the work to make this successful? Have you planned and prepared sufficiently? What do you need to do to make this work? Slow down and examine the viability of your vision. You might need to focus your ideas or redirect your energy entirely. 

This card can also signal setbacks. If you keep hitting roadblocks, pause to listen to what the setbacks are telling you. You might be on the wrong road entirely.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!