Four of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles
The Four of Pentacles shows a man sitting on stool apart from a town which we assume is his own. He is crouched tightly and holds his pentacles or coins in a very defensive posture as though he were hoarding them for fear of loss. His eyes appear darkened from hard work but his mouth betrays the hint of a smile which comes from the self-satisfaction of his accomplishments.
The desire for control is the hallmark of the Four of Pentacles. Some control is valuable. In chaotic situations, a firm hand is needed to provide structure and organisation. Too often, however, the urge to control gets out of hand, stifling creativity and individual expression. In readings, this card asks you to weigh carefully the level of control in your situation. The Four of Pentacles can stand for issues of ownership. You may be involved in getting and keeping money or some other commodity. You may be having problems with possessiveness or jealousy. Use the energy of this card to preserve and defend, but not to lay claim. They need to be free to determine their own lives.The Four of Pentacles also implies blocked change. It's as if the stubborn little man on the card is thwarting your every move. Opposition may come from those who want to maintain the status quo. It may also come from within yourself. Are you resisting change that is truly needed? We often cling to the familiar even when we know it's not for the best. The lesson of the Four of Pentacles is that control is impossible. We stand in the world as in a great ocean. Who could manage or possess such power? The only way to keep from drowning is to ride the currents. The ocean will support us as long as we swim with the flow.
The four of pentacles represents a person that will not share anything in his life with other people. When assistance is needed, he will turn his back on the situation.
The Four of Pentacles indicates one of the dangers of prosperity: the temptation to value money far above its real worth. If wealth and financial success lead to a miserly or ungenerous attitude, then our psychological energy is in a closed or "contracted" state wherein nothing is perceived to have value other than money. This attitude is of course an expression of extreme attachment to the things of this world and is unhealthy in the long run simply because it is such an extreme point of view.
The Four of Pentacles indicates a person who is financially stable and secure with solid investments. This person is very conservative about money and is not inclined to gamble in financial matters. He is very protective of what he has and slowly and steadily increases his net worth through saving money and safe investments. He is self-sufficient both financially and emotionally, for he often equates money with emotional security.
Although this card shows a practical and financially stable person, it often shows possessiveness and an overly cautious approach to life. The client may be afraid to take risks, both financially and emotionally. He may be trying to be a rock and an island unto himself in exchange for security. The odds are that the client is vaguely unhappy and unfulfilled. Deep down he knows he has sold out for too safe an approach to life.
The Four is the card of the miser. His material possessions are on his head, representing that his thoughts are all about his "stuff". They are in his arms, indicating that they are not free to do anything else with his life. He can't go anywhere because his feet are busy holding the coins down. In other words, this man is so tied up with his possessions, that he can't do anything else. His possessions ARE his life. This is sad. Depending on where this card falls in a spread, it could be telling you to let go a little bit, and enjoy the other side of life (this is the card of the workaholic), or it could be telling you to tighten up a bit and not throw your money away. It could indicate a need to tighten your belt a little bit. Look at where it falls and the cards that surround it to get the true meaning here.
Awareness of personal value and worth. Stability, comfort and practical security. Possessiveness. Set and know limits. Could get good news from a woman, or "feminine" source. Possessions. Material stability. Financial problems will be overcome.. Money in bank. ownership. Structure, either through material things, or by turning emotional and mental energy inwards. Selfishness (which might be precisely what is needed). Dependence on material comforts and security. Need for personal security. Blockage.
Possessiveness. You need to hold on to what you have. Manage and guard it carefully. Things must be put in order and in proper perspective. Reflect on your self-worth and what is valuable to you. It is time to think like an executive.
Here, the conservatism of the four of pentacles has turned to greed and stinginess. The client is haunted by a fear of poverty which impels him to be grasping and materialistic. He is extremely defensive and self-protective materially and emotionally, fearful of opening up and trusting other people. This card relates to poverty conscientiousness, no matter how much money that person has.