Three of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
Skill. Cooperation. Planning. Professional growth. Material gain.  Proving yourself. A competent strategy. Being aware of your potential. Getting together with others. Team spirit. Recognition of skill. Being obsessed with detail. Too dependent on others' opinions. A job well done. Beneficial use of talents. Early stages of accomplishment. First rewards. Employment. Work involving status. Superior ability. Professional growth. Competence. Craftsmanship. High standards. Expertise. Doing a job the right way. Success through skill. Diligence. Attention to detail. Progress. New learning. Working with others. Creative skills and abilities. Practicality. Teamwork. Building. Renovation. Making a presentation. Evaluation and criticism.

Summary:
On the surface, this card seems to signify great success that comes with planning and teamwork. What would we do without the confidence of others? How could we create a masterpiece if it weren't for careful planning and competent colleagues or friends for support? The positive side of this particular 'coin' - or pentacle - is that if you combine your efforts with others, success will be assured. Good organization and following the instructions to the letter will prove to be the best way forward. It is your skill, competence, and professional growth that is in focus.

However, this card can also indicate that it is up to you to be engaged in a project or process that you are totally passionate about, where there is no ambiguity or ambivalence, and where you can do your own thing without becoming a mere spoke in the wheel. The latter won't be enough to satisfy you.

As a journeyman or master builder, you've reached the end of your educational or developmental phase. You've passed the necessary tests and have earned your degree, license, or title. While the Eight of Pentacles typifies the apprentice, the three symbolizes someone who is a virtuoso in his or her field. Your expertise in the area for which you are qualified garners monetary rewards and public recognition.

You're entering into new realms of experience in your chosen career. This is a step up, not a change of course. It's what you have been working toward. When you're called upon to present evidence of your craftsmanship, skill, and knowledge, you respond brilliantly and are recognized publicly. You use your skills and abilities to create something beautiful and enduring.

The Three of Pentacles is a card of development occurring on the physical plane. The situation could involve your money, job, education, physical health, a house, or a project that will produce tangible results. You will be rewarded for doing a competent job and making use of your skills, knowledge, and talents. You are off to a good start and could become recognized as an expert in your field. You desire status, recognition, or approval from others, and you feel a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Strive to work with grace and creativity, and with a sense that everything you do is important.

We are the Esperides, the Greek nymphs of the sunset. Our enchanted abode is the garden of the goddesses that we cultivate and protect as if it were our child.

A meeting of minds, an entwining of hearts, well-matched skills. Three elements. When they come together, a special magic occurs and great things result.

Questions:
How do you work with others? What are you working on? What is your goal? What skills are you using? Are you willing to persevere? How are you taking or expressing criticism of the work being done?

Nine of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
Accomplishment. Refinement. Independence. Self-reliance. Being resourceful. Knowing you are in control of the situation. Material security. Enjoying the finer pleasures of life. An inner sense of security. Acting on your own. Self-discipline.Prudence. Richness. Material connections between people. Being self-sufficient. Self-mastery. Attainment. Gain. Money. Success. Leisure time. Fruitfulness. Self-worth. Well-being. Prosperity as a result of past efforts. Solitary affluence. Well-deserved success. Inheritance. Possession. Mastery of one's resources. Taking good care of yourself. The capacity to be alone. Love of nature. Enjoyment of solitary leisure. Harvest. Good results from efforts. Luxuries. Pleasures. Physical well-being.

Summary:
The Nine of Pentacles signifies that a mission has been accomplished. You are ready to enjoy yourself, indulge in your success and know that your way is the right way. As a result of your recent efforts, you have a greater sense of self-reliance and independence. This graceful Pentacles lady feels secure in herself. This card also indicates that your most important duty is to yourself.

You achieve material comfort, financial security, and a sense of inner peace. You enjoy relationships, but when they're done, you're not lonely. You relish the personal environment you've created: your home, your garden, your pets, and your comfortable lifestyle. You don't depend on constant companionship to make you feel complete. Self-reliance is the key to your prosperity; you follow your own star.

The woman in this card is reaping the benefit of the wise use of her talents and resources. She is alone and at peace with herself and her surroundings. She is in control of her thinking and of her destiny. She has a sense of self-worth and is able to manage her own affairs, but at the same time she may be experiencing a feeling of incompleteness.

The Nine of Pentacles depicts an affluent woman who has earned the fruits of her labor and is now free to enjoy the finer things in life. Thus this card may indicate rewards, abundance, accomplishment, satisfaction, and fulfillment. The implication is that this compensation is the result of hard work, discipline, prudence, self-reliance, and self-control, who are characteristics recommended by this card. Additionally, the attitude and attire of the woman in this card implies the consequent refinement, culture, self-esteem and self-confidence that come with such achievements. Consider your accomplishments and note how you achieved them in order to learn from your past successes.

What an awesome feeling to be on top of the world, mistress of your own destiny. Good job!  You've done very well. The big question now is: what next?

You sowed well and harvested many fruits without too much effort. Ration them wisely and share them with those you love. I am Rosmerta, Celtic goddess of abundance.

Questions:
How free are you? Do you welcome independence? Have you acknowledged your accomplishment? Do you fear being self-reliant or believe you have nothing to show for your efforts? Am I still seeking a purpose in life? What do I value? What are you earning by your endeavors - material wealth, security, status? How are you enjoying what you've earned? How are you spending your leisure time? How do you give thanks for all you've gained?

Queen of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
Dependable. Nurturing. Warmhearted. Sensuous. Generous. Earth-mother. Taking a realistic view of life. Matter-of-fact attitude. Reliable and loyal. Feeling secure and home-loving. Genuine desire to help other people. Creative and resourceful. Opulence. Magnificence. Aesthetic spirit. Practical manager. A sensible approach. Organization. Prosperity. Love of nature. Shrewdness. Abundance. Good business sense. Common sense. Emotional maturity. Solid learning. Firm foundations. A green thumb. Channels sensory information and practical knowledge. Able to preserve and conserve. Has respect for body, food, land. Has a love of the world, earth, life.

Summary:
The Queen of Pentacles takes us further into the realm of our sense of security and connectedness to the world. She is there for everyone, always available, reliable, home-loving, willing to do anything for her family and all without any fuss. Think about what this archetypal earth-mother makes you feel. Do you identify with her at all? Do you admire her, envy her, or are you totally immune to feeling anything? Whatever your reaction, remember that the Queen of Pentacles represents a part of you. She points a finger at you and says, "look within, find your nurturing side".

She is the Empress in her guise as Mother Earth. She showers her creations with lots of TLC and it doesn't matter whether they are actual children or projects and activities. You're seeking practical, tangible solutions. You use your wealth and abilities to empower yourself and others.

Gaiety, without pretext or hidden ends, is painted on the face of this young girl. She seeks company and human contact, and is willing to give the same in exchange. She is ready to give and also ready to assert herself.

In the suit of Pentacles, the Queen is a little rebellious. Her ability to disregard things is not in harmony with the rest of the suit, but it is precisely for this reason that she manages to communicate and deal with others well. Her roots are strong like the earth, but her look and thoughts are light, never tired from troubles.

She is nurturing, practical, and responsible, and she is devoted to caring for those around her, such as her family or community. Due to her resourcefulness, she typically has attained material security, which enables her to be giving and to help others, for she knows that generosity does not deplete her. Rather, it makes way for the endless abundance of Mother Nature to flow through her. In addition, the Queen of Pentacles is sensual and sensuous. She is in touch with her physicality and with the material world, and she is at one with nature.

I am the Lady of fertility and conception. I am the generous and prodigal ancient Roman goddess. My name is Juno, ruler of time, patron of births.

Understanding our difficulties is often the first step towards overcoming them.

Appreciation of creation and the ability to create are qualities tied to the earth, the moon, the sun, and the heavens. Who says physical things are mundane?

Questions:
Am I able to nurture myself? What are my attitudes towards pleasure and sensuality?  How are you channeling your physical resources? Who inspires your need for practical skills and nurtures your desire for knowledge? Who is reliable and trustworthy? How are you grounded in Mother Earth?

Page of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
Practical approach. Realistic aims. Concentrated efforts. Focus. Progress. New projects. Setting the wheels in motion. Looking for a window of opportunity. Know your limitations. Wanting to be prosperous. Financial messenger. Diligent worker. Application. Study. Knowledge. Inquiring spirit. Education. A written message. Willingness to learn. Slow and steady progress. Patience. Persistence. Realism. Kindness. Determination. Respect for material things. Love of nature. Educational opportunities. Eagerness for learning. The beginnings of a solid foundation. Open-mindedness. Seeking knowledge, experience, and new skills. Vision quest. Seeks guidance from the earth.

Summary:
The Page of Pentacles signifies that it is time to get practical or to progress with realistic aims and get involved in a new project. It is not so much simply looking at what you've achieved so far, but looking at the future to see what more you can accomplish. There is a window of opportunity out there, but you have got to look for it. Whether it is literally a new career or enterprise, or a chance for greater clarity within a relationship, this card has a "let's go on with the job" feel about it.

The Page can also represent someone you know: a reliable worker, an organized friend, someone who knows how to turn vision into reality. This person may have something useful to tell you, or they may simply symbolize a part of yourself that you haven't yet expressed or acknowledged. Ask yourself if you know your limitations; can you go further; how practical are you when it comes to working to have an effect on someone or something? Can you identify with planning and progress, focus and results?

The Page is the student/apprentice of the tarot. He signifies the type of enthusiasm and wonder that young children bring to new projects. Totally fascinated with his studies, he makes little distinction between work and play. Think of him as the equivalent of the computer nerd who is completely immersed in his virtual world. Like the Fool, the page of pentacles is a perpetual beginner. Life is seen as a continual rite of initiation.

Practical idealism, finances, and education are primary in your life right now. Your enthusiasm infects others and carries you in to a state of mind where work and play become interchangeable.

This card indicates exploration of spaces and places, rather than introspection or soul-searching. Restlessness is a characteristic of youth and also of the suit of Pentacles, and is transmitted by this errant motion and in this continual quest for answers about one thing or another.

Your thoroughness, practicality, and hard work will pay off. From small beginnings, progress will be slow but sure. You may receive a letter or a note that will affect the course of events. Pentacles indicate a need to care for physical and material needs.

The moment you realize that you can create something or make something happen is magical and empowering. Suddenly a whole new world full of possibilities opens up.

At times we must trust our instincts when they lead us to believe in those closest to us.

Prudence and wisdom, attention and conscientiousness guard with me the precious treasure of Frigg, my queen. My name is Fulla and I am a Scandinavian goddess.

Questions:
What are my instincts trying to tell me? What new information am I gathering? What new possibilities do you contain within yourself? Are you listening to the earth?

Two of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
Adaptability. Mobility. Expanding your horizons. Change. Travel. Play. Recreation. Steering through rough waters. Entanglement. Commerce. Fancy juggling. Quick footwork. Keeping two or more things happening at once. Balancing. Dexterity. Flexibility. Ability in dealing with material things. Adapting to relationship needs. Doing many things simultaneously. Dealing with several problems at once. Juggling with the options. Understanding change. The ups and downs of fortune. The need for flexibility. Balancing multiple obligations. Walking a tightrope. Pulled in many directions. Coping with the variations of daily life. A balancing act. Resources spread thin. Juggling many projects at once. Multiple responsibilities. Need to make a decision. Go with the flow. Coping with demands. Making sure all areas are covered. Embracing the challenge.

Summary:
The easygoing juggler in the image reminds us of the infinite possibilities there are in life - choices, options, new developments, changing scenarios - and how important it is to stay flexible and open to change. This card also signifies that, to overcome any hurdles or problems, be ready to juggle with all of the options. Have fun and smile at life a little, and look for new ways to handle old situations. In adapting to the world around you, you will also create an effective way to achieve your current aims.

Think balance, adaptability, and equilibrium. You juggle and number of different projects and sources of income. This may entail working two jobs or handling full-time employment as you attend school. However, you don't feel overburdened because pleasure is inherent to your pursuits. You strike a balance, but you do it with the cheer and enthusiasm of a juggler in a vaudeville act. There's a hidden magic in the way you maintain your equilibrium. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. If necessary, narrow your choices to maintain a balanced disposition. Your versatility is your greatest strength.

The Two of Pentacles is an atypical card in its air of fun and whimsy. It advises us to be flexible and adaptive so that we can keep things in balance, but it also seems to say, "Have some fun while you're at it". This card indicates juggling various projects or tasks, perhaps saying that we have a lot going on but we will be able to handle it all if we maintain our balance. Balance your needs against those of other people.

You are trying to juggle several tasks at the same time. You need to schedule your time wisely. You need to make a decision that will ease the tension in your life. Now is a time to be adaptable and "go with the flow". Your skill at handling multiple obligations will lead to success.

Questions:
What two or more situations are you handling with ease? What are you adapting to? What are you juggling in order to keep stable? In what ways do you play and use your excess energies? What calls for diplomacy? How do you adapt to change? Am I balancing work and play?

Eight of Pentacles

Keywords & Phrases:
The work card. Apprenticeship. Talent. Education. Craftsmanship. Job training. Study. Self-improvement. Schooling. Learning. Acquiring skills. Enthusiasm about work. Working hard to perfect a skill. Work-study program. Absorption and pleasure in work. A new job. Good use of talents. Applied effort. A fulfilling hobby or avocation. Working on a project. Preparation for the future. Prudence. Diligence. Dedication. Perseverance. If you're going to do a job, do it right. Skill. Hard work. Productivity. Meticulousness. Care over details. Management of assets. Creating something that is meant to last. Self-discipline. Preparation. Quality control. Persistence. Step-by-step development. Knowledge. Patient production. Perseverance paying off. Training for a new skill. Widening your knowledge.

Summary:
The Eight of Pentacles suggests that your work will be fulfilling and enjoyable. You will use your skills wisely. If you are starting a new job, you will settle in easily and find the work absorbing. Your heart is in your work, and you may be up for a promotion. You have the opportunity to enter a phase of apprenticeship to develop your talents. Your time and effort will pay off.

You can turn a talent, hobby, or interest into a new career. You're an apprentice now and you're loving every minute of it. You tackle a long-term task with excellent future prospects. Hard work and practical ideas have gotten you this far; good luck carries you the rest of the way. You take pride in everything you do, and it shows.

To labor with humility, never thinking we have achieved our goal, is the best way to obtain great results.

The creation of things is no small matter. By application, something that did not exist before, takes shape. It could be a work of art, but also any other form of creation. The link between the material and the possibility to shape it is a very important type of intuition. Only via this perception can a creator actually generate something that is the fruit of his labors.

We work, we get down to the nitty-gritty, we pay attention to detail. Then sometimes we don't. When this card appears in a spread, it signifies that now is the time to get on with it. Concentrate all your energy on getting the job done, whatever it is. Attend to your relationship, check the facts, read between the lines and give all of your time to the task at hand. This card implies that you must persevere at all costs and the more you give out, the more you put into your work, belief, relationship or problem, the more successful the outcome will be.

The Eight of Pentacles suggests that repetition and daily routines need to change so that you can shift into another gear. Time to add variety to your life in some way so you don't get bogged down in the same old thing. Take up a new skill, learn new techniques, make an effort to improve your knowledge.

This card often implies a time of great diligence and focus. Just buckle down and get to work. Fortunately, this kind of work is invigorating and leads to superb results. The labor of the Eight of Pentacles is deeply satisfying and productive. The card can also symbolize the impulse to learn - to broaden horizons. Sometimes we need to develop new skills. We seek external knowledge - the how and why of the material world. Now is not the time to be slipshod or casual. Look for errors, and tie up loose ends. The key to success is an extraordinary effort.

The most ordinary of clay, shaped by expert hands, can be transformed into life. I am Nu Gua, goddess of ancient China, creator of humanity.

Questions:
What are you working on? What skill or craft are you learning? What details do you need to examine and take care of? How can you create a regular time and place to work? What preparations do you need to make? What do I need to do to feel more satisfied with my life and work?