Archetype
The Six of Pentacles represents a proud person who reserves the right to decide whom to gift and whom to leave penniless. This can refer not only to material matters. The person decides whom to pay attention to, whom to befriend, whom to love, and with whom to share knowledge.
Still, this card's main message is actually positive. It's all about the give and take of life. This card means financial prosperity, lucky breaks, and money flowing your way—definitely a good sign in any reading.
Symbolism of the Card
The image on the Six of Pentacles in the Waite deck accurately conveys the meaning of the card: wealth, charity, helping those in need, generosity. In the picture, we see a person with scales (a symbol of fair distribution), giving coins to a woman kneeling in prayer for help. But he doesn't necessarily give exactly what the scales indicate—this card suggests everyone gets what they've earned.- The Rich Man. Unlike the guy on the Four of Pentacles, you can't call this man greedy. He freely shares his wealth with those less fortunate. He's not wearing a crown, but his headpiece gives him more genuine power than that self-appointed king on the Four of Pentacles.
- Blessing Gesture. The hand with which the rich man gives coins is in a gesture of blessing. This shows how much his generosity means to the supplicants. It refers to Christ's teachings: "Sell all your possessions and give to the poor."
- The Supplicants. We've all been in both positions—the giver and the one asking for help. We've all been helped by someone's kindness. Whether we're currently the one asking for help or not, this card reminds us to appreciate the kindness of others.
Key Meaning
The Six of Pentacles is all about material stability and financial well-being. It represents practical skills, hard work, and smart money management.The Six of Pentacles is associated with the following keywords:
- finances, material well-being,
- confidence in the future,
- practical skills realization,
- stability,
- investments,
- hard work,
- reliability,
- pragmatism,
- responsibility.
This card points to generous help—you might be giving it or getting it. You might get a lucky break through someone's help or support, or you could be that blessing for someone else.
General Meaning of the Card in the Upright Position
The Six of Pentacles upright almost always carries positive meaning. However, the interpretation nuances depend on whether you're the "giver" or "receiver" in your specific situation.This card represents success and prosperity paired with generosity and charity. You'll receive a reward that brings professional satisfaction and stability.
The Six of Pentacles suggests it's time for good deeds: fulfilling others' hopes, showing kindness and tolerance, and helping those in need.
Event-wise, the Six of Pentacles signals a reward, success, promising project, or prosperity period following a successfully passed test.
For career questions, this card indicates you need to show generosity and compassion toward others.
You can use your skills and resources to help others and receive gratitude and recognition in return. The card may also suggest mentoring and sharing knowledge to help others succeed in their careers or business.
General Meaning of the Card in Reversed Position
The reversed Six of Pentacles represents generosity's dark side – wastefulness. This card's appearance in a spread suggests high likelihood of financial losses due to your carelessness or negligence.Generosity's positive aspects transform into financial recklessness and wasted resources. You may lose not only materially but emotionally too, possibly due to jealousy or others' schemes and manipulation.
The reversed Six of Pentacles can mean abusing material advantage, excessive self-admiration, illegal earnings, financial pyramids, or other risky get-rich-quick schemes, greed, bad investments, and unstable finances.
Moreover, in this position, the card warns that careless money handling could make you a target for thieves, fraudsters, or simply envious people. Even if the reversed Six of Pentacles predicts profit, it's very questionable money – like a bribe or expensive gift with strings attached.
The Meaning of the Card in Love in the Upright Position
In matters of love, the Six of Pentacles suggests that your current relationship can bring great benefits. Harmony and trust prevail, partners support each other, accept each other as they are, and are ready to listen and respect each other's opinions, loving selflessly. One partner may financially support the other, but this is done out of love, not for show.
If you are looking for love, the card suggests good prospects. It's the perfect time to put yourself out there. Focus on giving rather than receiving, and you will meet people with similar mindsets and goals.
The Meaning of the Card in Love When Reversed
When the Six of Pentacles appears reversed in a love reading, it can indicate the following:- Relationship instability as partners struggle financially, creating distrust and tension between you.
- Money troubles, unequal sharing of resources, and reluctance to talk about finances.
- Lack of mutual support, especially in financial matters.
- Imbalanced give-and-take dynamics. One partner constantly gives everything – emotionally and financially – while the other just takes without reciprocating.
Six of Pentacles as the Card of the Day
When the Six of Pentacles shows up as your "Card of the Day," here's what it means:- Upright position. Smart money management, profits, and positive news. It's an excellent day for handling finances and budget planning. Expect mutual support or partnerships that boost your financial health.
- Reversed position. Potential money troubles, uncertainty, or disappointing news. Watch for surprise expenses or budget planning challenges. Conflicts could trigger financial issues, so keep a closer eye on your finances and steer clear of risky investments.
What the Six of Pentacles Warns About
The main warning from the Six of Pentacles is: what you give to the world will return to you threefold. Share your blessings and treat people kindly, and the world will return the favor. But choose to spread negativity, and watch out.
Zoomboola
