Challenging the 5 of Pentacles: Lost or Nearly Found?

Preface: This article is one of several in our “Challenging” series. The purpose of these articles is to flip the script on cards that we usually view as difficult, providing a fresh and more positive perspective. If this type of exploration is of interest to you, then feel free to check out the other cards we’ve tackled: The Hierophant, The Devil, Judgement, 4 of Cups, 8 of Swords

I don’t know anyone who goes into a tarot reading hoping to turn over the 5 of Pentacles. It’s one of the most miserable cards in tarot and rarely does it find itself a good spin. Of course, readers will often point out the light emanating from the window as a source of hope or something of a safe haven. But, when you’re confronted with the prospect of whatever’s happening in the 5, this barely lifts the tone.

So then, what else might we be able to glean from this sorry (on the surface) scene? We’ll get to that, but first, let’s get clear on everything that’s terrible about this card.

• It’s winter, it’s snowing and it’s cold - and these two are out there being battered by the elements. The darker months bring up feelings of isolation, a slowed pace and even seasonal depression. The black background, despite the one speck of light, certainly reinforces those sentiments.

• The keywords associated with the 5 of Pentacles are as uplifting as the card looks: loss, poverty, alienation, hardship, suffering etc.

• The travelers don’t look like they’re doing well (an understatement). There are many cards in tarot that speak to journeys, but in none of them do the people look so worn down by it all. Note the tattered clothing, bandages, crutches and posture.

• The number 5 in itself is a challenging energy. It often speaks to change, flux and turmoil. As the middle point between 1-9, 5 is where things get recalibrated and that can be messy and difficult.

So, with all that looks to be going wrong in this image, what can we say about what’s potentially going “right”? Let's face it, no one wants to identify with the beaten down travelers in the 5 of Pentacles. Audible groans when this card is pulled. On the surface, the situation is dire - they're broken, broke and lifeless.

It might help to better understand what’s happening in the 5 by comparing it with others in the deck. For example, what if the alternative to the 5 of Pentacles was The Devil? Ok, now it makes a bit more sense why one might opt to “sell their soul at the crossroads”. If it was one or the other, you’d have a hard day choosing, be honest. Let’s compare some more.

In both scenes, we see black backgrounds. We also see Pentacles or Pentagrams - even in a similar placement if you note the one on the devil’s head in comparison to the one on top in the window in the 5. Both cards, for those reasons and more, speak to material matters. In The Devil though, the two figures get to indulge in those pleasures (the grapes, the fire) whereas in the 5, they are completely shut out!

But, what do we miss from the journey when we do all the things to avoid finding ourselves in the position of the 5? How do we remain free, when fear of discomfort and the unknown keeps us trapped? (bear in mind, The Devil would call this keeping us "safe"). We know The Devil is a trickster and the 15th key is filled with illusion.

Perhaps then what we see in the 5 of Pentacles is something of an illusion too. It would be easy to look at this landscape and think "OH NO, something has gone terribly awry! This can't be right!" But, what if that is the trick?

Might the 5 of Pentacles actually be a symbol for wild, misadventure on the spiritual path? You know, the kind of situation one might find themselves in after a hard night of partying? The worst hangover you've ever had after throwing all sorts of caution in all manner of direction? ("Did I ask for this??? I thought we were having fun...")

Or, another way to look at it is one of those "how it started vs. how it's going" memes.

Either way, we all come into this stuff bright eyed and bushy tailed, but what if you knew it would beat the shit out of you? Take everything you thought you needed? Transform your whole life, but not before turning it upside down and inside out? 

Let’s do another comparison to learn more. The cards that precede and also proceed the 5 of Pentacles can tell us a lot.

If you look at this as a connected landscape, you see an interesting story unfold. In the 4 of Pentacles, we have something of a miser - a seated fellow clinging to their stuff for dear life! We know this isn’t a sustainable or joyful space to occupy, so maybe, part of releasing that tendency can be found in the 5. Whereas the 4 had all the coins, the two individuals in the 5 have none. When you consider again the number 5 represents flux and reconfiguration, it could be that the individuals are simply renegotiating their relationship with material wealth. And, perhaps, part of that is facing the fear of lack.

Of course, on the other side of this narrative is the 6 of Pentacles. Those two “beggars” bare a striking resemblance to the 2 figures from the 5. It may be then that the situation is not intended to endure, that help is right around the corner and if we play our cards right, we may even be the one in the position to give (after we’ve gotten on better footing)!

The moral of the story here is we can't judge this predicament from the outside. We have no idea where they're going or where they've been. In other words, the lesson is not to judge other's journey nor our own. We don’t do that because, like an actual optical trick, sometimes we simply can’t know what we’re looking at. Let’s take one final comparison as an example. The 5 of Pentacles and The Hermit.

Curious that snow happens so rarely in tarot, but here we see it in two vastly different scenes. I also think just looking at these two cards, positioned in this way, can tell a lot about what could be happening in the 5. Note - the walking sticks, the similar garb and the source of light containing stars. Do I have to spell it out? When we look at the 5, it’s easy to be overcome with pity - for ourselves or those we perceive to be in such a spot. But, what if instead of nearing their demise, those two lost souls were actually closing in on their salvation? What kind of path did The Hermit have to walk in order to reach the peak of the summit? I’m going to go out on a limb and guess it wasn’t all 10 of Cups out there.

So, before you look at these “dejected wanderers” and feel sorry for their circumstance, plead for their wellbeing and also pray you never have to be in their shoes (what shoes?), remember...gems can be found in the most unlikely places. Perhaps these two are truly spiritual daredevils in disguise, willing to risk everything for the greatest reward of all.

Verse 20 from the Tao Te Ching