TAROTKing of Pentacles
Upright
Mastery in a domain leading to material success and total control of your life.
Being in a position of wealth and success that allows you to rule your own destiny.
Disciplined and fair leadership leading to financial success.
An entrepreneur, business orientated person, manager or a rich associate or relative.
Intuition
The King of Pentacles in this deck is the God Hades.
We may consider ourselves rich in this world, but our time here is fleeting, and the eternity that follows is spent under the rule of this king, making him the wealthiest king of all.
Reversed
Greed, mismanagement, unreliability or financial losses.
Severe lack of financial control, leading to lack of control and stability in your life.
Lack of proper finances or loss of wealth.
A focus on material goals, greed or status.
A lack of character when it comes to honesty with money.
Astrologia
A rare mix of passion and ambition and strong communication, coupled with a practical nature. Very good financial stability; a wealthy leader. Can have difficulty expressing emotion, appearing cold.
King of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles represents inner expertise in material wealth and how to use it. The King possesses outer expertise: all the wealth in the world belongs to him.
The King of Pentacles is the King of the element of Earth. All sustenance is rooted in the ground. The sun may shed life giving light upon us but without the soil, we grow nothing.
All gold, silver, and jewels come from his kingdom. Our homes sit upon it, built from stone and wood extracted from the same place. The King of Pentacles is vital to our existence in ways we forget: he governs more than the money in our pockets and the rings on our fingers.
But there is a far deeper truth about the King of Pentacles as seen in this deck that makes him the richest king of all
We spend our time above the earth and may serve various royalty and governments we consider rich, but our time above the earth is brief when considered against the eternity that we serve in the underworld under our final King. It is this fact that makes him the wealthiest king of all.
Hades
Hades is both a place and a god. The ancient Greeks knew him as Aïdes ('the unseen one'). Like death itself, Hades was a pitiless rule-follower, unmoved by prayer or earthly justice. He was also known as Plouton ('wealth-giver'), or in Latin, Pluto ('the rich one').
Although we know his as Hades (Háidēs), that name was not used often for fear that uttering his name might make him appear (much like the Christian devil). Ancient art rarely depicts him, as he was so feared: painting him drew his gaze toward you.
His wealth stems from an absolute fact: everything starts from the ground, and everything ends in it.
Outside the abduction of his Queen, Persephone, myth depicts Hades as fair, cold, and without favor. Death saw no favorites, applying the same laws to everyone. Prince or pauper, all are equal once in the earth.
The only action known to anger him was a mortal attempting to escape his kingdom. In such matters, only his wife, the Queen of Pentacles, could be reasoned with. If you wanted to return someone to the land of the living, you had to convince Persephone.
The archaeological origin of the god Hades is lost to antiquity, although evidence suggests Dionysus and Hades share the same ancient historical root.
Description and Symbology
We see the king of Pentacles, the God of the underworld and deep earth. He sits on a throne surrounded by the fruits of the earth: fruits that grow near the surface and gold and other precious items that are found in the ground. The two main animals associated with Hades are shown on his throne; carvings of black rams and a screech owl (or barn owl in the UK).
Behind his throne we see Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guarded the gates of the kingdom of Hades. A castle built from the King's immense wealth dominates the background: a place of security and absolute protection. Few attempt to break into the land of the dead, for there is no way back out.
The king
The King of Pentacles is dressed in fine but dark clothes, and his throne is deep underground. We see one leg of the king is armored, suggesting that despite his clothes, he is not just a man of fashion and finery. There is a fighting man underneath who is a disciplined, courageous and committed person. He has won many battles in reaching his position.
The helmet
Hades means the unseen one, and this often alludes to death itself as being unseen. In mythology, Hades actually was unseen. He owns a helmet that renders the wearer invisible. This was prized in Greek mythology and was borrowed to other Gods as a major weapon. The helmet a soldier would wear in ancient times was a major status symbol, and the King of Pentacles had the best one by a long way.
The castle
Behind the king, we see the battlements of a castle. The king has used his wealth to build a place of security and protection. Few would go against the King of Pentacles, as he is able to defend himself more than any of the other kings. He is both invisible and well protected. Trying to defeat death itself is always a fool’s errand!
The animals
We see black rams carved into the king’s throne, and a screech owl sitting on it. Horned animals are often symbolic of the earth, and the screech owl was thought to be a summoning call for someone to join the dead (and this belief was widespread, as it exists in many ancient cultures – not surprising as the call is very frightening in the dead of night!).
Cerberus
Cerberus guards the gates of Hades, preventing escape back into the land of the living. We see him behind the King’s throne. Cerberus represents the vigilance, loyalty, and strength the King has at his disposal (and when Hades is angered, the ferocity!).
The riches of the earth
The wealth of the King of Pentacles is strewn around the throne; fertile greenery and the fruits of the earth (both edible fruits and precious metals/jewels). Not only does the king of Pentacles have more resources than any other King, he can also deny the resources of his enemies because he owns the earth. Again, not a king to go against!
Tips for Readings
The following table shows the upright and reverse meanings for general questions. The last row ('Yes/No') is useful when you are picking a single card to decide a yes or no decision.
Upright
Reversed
A time of stability and growth will result in deep love and meeting joint goals.
Initial attraction comes through physical desire and initial compatibility, but deep love comes through being on the same path and working together for a fulfilling life. This card suggests the work has been done and there will be a period of fulfillment.
For new relationships, the card suggests commitment. The relationship will grow and deepen so long as both of you maintain this commitment and work towards joint goals.
The reverse card suggests money over love, a failure to maintain financial security (resulting in family insecurity or a weakening of the relationship).
There may also be a sense of stubbornness, inertia and playing safe. This will cause a lack of growth within the relationship.
Finally, there may be greed or a failure to value each other over career, wealth, status, or the trappings of success.
This card warns that true wealth is understanding the value of things, especially the ones that are really important, such as each other – and doing it before you lose them.
Professional stability is on the cards, enriching the rest of your life through enabling you to achieve personal goals.
There may be a move to a senior role or an appreciation of your skills as meeting a high level of competence.
Whatever career move you make, choose wisely. An option to further yourself significantly will be available, and you are advised not to be reticent in taking it, because success is on your side!
Starting a new business now also has a positive aspect.
Poor planning, not meeting goals and losing income may be likely unless you can change your path.
There may be dissatisfaction or being looked over when it comes to promotion.
Now is not the time to make big decisions or make major changes. Far better to recognize your failings of how your current situation is constraining you, and make a solid plan for change before making your move, as acting rashly (or taking the easy option) may have been one of your failings that brought you here.
A material stability in your life at the moment should also translate to physical health, so long as you are not falling to the diseases associated with wealth and a sedentary lifestyle.
Make sure you are exercising your body and not creating your current material stability through overwork or excessive hours – you already have the success needed to take the foot off the accelerator and enjoy the scenery on your journey!
A lack of security in your life, or overworking for little gain, may be a problem.
The issue may also be caused by complacency or over-indulgence in luxury or immediate pleasures.
Whatever the root problem, you are creating health problems for the future. You may think this is caused by a lack of time or resources, but remember that good health is rarely expensive and bad health is caused by bad decisions.
You are experiencing a time of elevated success in the material world, and this will convert to a move forward in your spiritual journey so long as you are able to differentiate between wealth and value.
This is an important consideration that this card brings to our attention. The earth is there for growth; planting seeds and watching them grow, then consuming the resulting fruits in a way that causes us to also grow.
Without this distinction, we become stunted by materialism and the cult of comparing ourselves to others rather than comparing ourselves against our own goals and comparing our growth against our previous selves.
A lack of practical success is leaving you dissatisfied in life.
It is time to consider why this failure is happening.
It may be a lack of progression in career, a lack of patience to create the resources you need, or simply that your dreams are larger than your current horizons.
The card suggests the things you want will come only through a sensible and practical plan and the hard work.
Decisions related to finances and wealth generation will be positive, so now is a good time to concentrate on them.
Anything that may mean a positive change of income (a career move, investments, buying and selling) should be considered now as it will have a high chance of a successful outcome.
Now is also a good time to make financial plans. Fight complacency and fear when it comes to investing your time and money as there is a good chance of success if you put in the time, practical planning and take calculated risks.
Finally, remember that wealth is not the end goal – you need to consume your money wisely and towards your benefit and growth to become truly wealthy!
Financial losses or not enough resources to make your plans a reality are holding you back.
These may be caused by poor planning, gambling rather than investing, or squandering the chances you have been given through complacency and accepting your current position rather striving for more. It could be a lack of entrepreneurship, or simply a disdain for any material gains as excess.
It is time to correct past mistakes by realizing there are no get rich quick plans that last. Hard work, slow and steady gains through investment, recognizing scams for what they are by controlling your emotions and FOMO (fear of missing out) and a good practical plan with sensible goals are the only things that work.
Yes, through mastery in wealth generation and creating a stable and happy future through ample resources.
No, through mismanagement and poor planning or a reluctance to put in the work or retain the required skills.
Reading the Card
Like all court cards, the King of Pentacles can represent people or things other than yourself:
- A time of exceptional prosperity that puts you firmly in control of your life.
- Generosity or promoting higher aims and causes through a position that allows you to promote both. This comes from knowing true wealth is not a number in a bank account but the ability to convert money into valuable aid for those close to you
- A person who is ambitious or a phase of your life where you feel the same ambitions.
- A person or organization that is both confident and authoritative in their domain. Whatever this entity is, they will have built up wealth through their persona or skills. This may be an entrepreneur, business idea, or investment.
- A person who is wealthy, successful, and reliable. They often dress smartly. They have a strong sense of responsibility towards their goals or people under their care. They are fair and practical in their dealings, and follow the rules rather than get emotionally involved. If the person is older than you, they may be a role model for achievement and finding success in life.
- A wealthy relative who is older than you and has a successful life path that you would wish to emulate.
- Upper management, C-level, or a company owner are typically represented by the King of Pentacles in business or career questions.
- When reversed, the card can point to a micromanager, or someone who values wealth for its own sake. This person can appear materialistic and greedy or cold. The reversed card can also point to financial losses. It can point to mistaking wealth for value. Consuming wealth to create value for yourself and those things you care about is true wealth.
When reading the ‘upright card’ and ‘reversal’ sections below, note that although the text refers to you it could actually be any of the above. The question being asked (or your first thoughts when you see the card) will suggest who or what the card refers to.
The Upright Card
The upright King of Pentacles represents mastery in wealth and resources. You will see a period where you have control of your destiny because of your wealth, or your ability to aid the things you hold in high value.
Bear in mind that this card does not immediately make you rich, but rich in the sense that you have what you need to become secure and happy on your own terms.
For example, a seeker wanting the best for their young family will not suddenly become a millionaire, but they will secure the resources to maintain that family in comfort.
The King of Pentacles suggests that continued success will come from taking a practical route, along with a solid belief in your cause.
Finally (and perhaps most importantly) the card also suggests an appreciation of true value rather than wealth. We often believe we are poor until the day something is taken away from us, and only then do we realize what really made us rich:
- The older, wiser you looks back at the poorer version of yourself who had no money, but possessed the confidence of youth and boundless time. In hindsight, we are richest when we are young and carefree, despite believing we have nothing.
- The person who looks at their photo album and remembers the people no longer there. The past may have been poorer, but why does it often seem to contain far more friends, family, and good company than today?
- The parents who remember their young family getting by in earlier times. The family may have thrived and grown older and richer, moving away to new lives, but when were the times the parents remember as the best?
Hades was often called the wealth giver, because although everything has to return to him eventually, he did not take the things we hold dearest, at least not so soon such that we never realize their true value.
Sometimes wealth is knowing what you already have is priceless. True wealth is quality relationships, purpose, and health.
True wealth is quality relationships, purpose, and health.
The Reversal
The Reversed King of Pentacles points to failures associated with a lack or loss of wealth, a failure to appreciate true value, or a vulgar relationship with wealth.
The reversed card can point to financial problems such as a loss of job or lack of income, a financial scam, or a poor purchasing decision.
It can also suggest a lifestyle that does not lead to wealth being used to create stability and personal growth. This includes:
- Wanting wealth and success as a means to fame or recognition, rather than as a means of caring for people and causes we hold dear. Beauty is only skin deep, unless it starts from the bone. Be a better person on the inside and it will show through to the outside.
- Taking out expensive loans to pay for things that will not appreciate in value nor usefulness. We’ve all done this at least once and know it is wrong.
- Purchases that do nothing other than reflect a status we do not have. Buying beyond your means is a common issue in the world of image and social media. It inflates our ego at the expense of deflating our future.
Beauty is only skin deep, unless it starts from the bone.
The reversed card can point to a lack of drive or a lack of character. Both result in stagnation:
- Playing far too safe at work or in investments because you underplay your own worth. Investment is about minimizing risk, but doing that by taking no risks at all so you keep your wealth, but it does nothing for you is not investment; it is stagnating.
- Being dishonest or taking what is not yours as a way to gain wealth.
- Micromanaging a business, where the creation of wealth leads to strife rather than happiness. People will leave your company, and you will eventually realize your behavior was an attempt to control the facets of yourself that you hate. A micromanager constantly makes mistakes, and therefore trusts no one.
Finally, the card points to a paralyzing fear of losing your wealth or position. Failing to enrich your own life and the lives of those you love creates nothing but a rich, unhappy corpse. The only one who will love you is Hades, as he welcomes another rich fool to add to his coffers.
Card Design Process
The King of Pentacles became an easy card to design once it was established that the Queen was Persephone, the High Priestess was Hecate, and the Empress was Demeter. The King as Hades fell into place because the mythology fits the card perfectly.
Once we view Hades as the King of Pentacles, a profound new meaning of wealth springs to the forefront. You can never take it with you, and it all goes to Hades in the end. Use your wealth to make this world better, ensuring your time on earth remains memorable for you and yours.
Final Words
The King of Pentacles represents complete mastery in your life stemming from a strong grasp of finances and wealth. You are able to follow your dreams and make provisions for the things you care deeply about because you have the resources to do so.
Reversed, it represents a failure to do the above, and may also point to a failure to grasp the difference between wealth and true value.
