The Card of the Day: The Five of Pentacles

"Banishing Poverty Conciousness." 

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The Five of Pentacles represents poverty and neediness. Poverty is not just a financial condition one suffers; it is a pervasive state of mind. "How am I going to pay for this?" "If I don't give him more money for the hundredth time it will be my fault if something bad happens?" "I wish I could just get lucky and win the lottery." "I'm just not good with money." "When can I get out of this debt?" "Why am I so worthless?" "Why don't they appreciate me?"

These are all examples of poverty consciousness. Even rich people can get stuck in poverty consciousness. This is because poverty is not actually about money. It's really about self-esteem.

Do you ever feel that success is granted to everybody else but continues to elude you? Are you adequately compensated for the work you do? Do you feel confident enough to put up boundaries with others? Do you value yourself and the services you provide? Do you need to get a new job?

The people depicted on the Five of Pentacles have fallen on hard times. They are sick and injured. Behind them is a cathedral, emitting warmth and glowing with light. The poor folks on the card don’t even think to enter. They are rejected “untouchables.” The feel they are on the outside. They truly don’t consider themselves as worthy of a place inside. They have allowed poverty consciousness to enter their hearts. Once this belief is let in, it’s challenging to cast it out.

In ancient Greece the Goddess of Poverty was named Penia. This Goddess would wander from house to house, much like the vagabonds on the card. Penia would bang on the doors of everyone until someone without boundaries let her in. Once Penia was in the house, it was so difficult to get her to leave. She would constantly make the occupants feel obligated, worthless and guilty. Penia stayed indefinitely until the individual took back their home by casting her out. In this case, the home is a symbol for one’s heart.

Giving to others and being of service must be done with boundaries. The old saying: "Give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him a lifetime," encapsulates this truth.

There is one force on the planet that can eradicate poverty consciousness: Self-Esteem. When you feel smart, capable, competent, and confident you know your self-worth. If an individual feels worthy, poverty consciousness cannot gain a foothold. Unscrupulous individuals can't "use" people who are strong in their sense of self-worth. Users and manipulators are like predators. They go for the weakest one when hunting for a sucker. The Five of Pentacles alerts you to any person or situation that seeks to make you feel less than. It’s time to create strong boundaries.

Know your worth and value. Stop giving yourself away if you are running on empty. Put up boundaries with needy individuals. Speak up for yourself! Help others only if they are helping themselves. Go for your best opportunities.

*Five of Pentacles in a Love Reading

New Relationship

The Five of Pentacles warns of one partner not being completely self-sufficient, financially, or emotionally. This can manifest into a needy relationship dynamic where one partner uses guilt or head games to secure their emotional needs. This card will also warn you not to approach a new relationship like a starving dog, needy for affection. Maintain your dignity and know your worth! 

Long Term Partnership

The Five of Pentacles can indicate a relationship subsisting on starvation rations. It’s time for both partners to recommit equal love and effort if the union is to survive. This card can also highlight a major financial problem which is negatively impacting the health of the relationship. Identify what the “energy wasters” are in your partnership and eliminate them. 

Seeking Romance

If you are single, the Five of Pentacles advises you to raise your standards and keep them high. Don’t listen to people that tell you that you are being too picky. Wasting your time with someone who is not meeting your standards is just that: a waste of time. Second best will never be enough. Raise the bar.

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*This excerpt is a sneak peek at my book “Tarot in Love: Consulting the Cards in Matters of the Heart” from Llewellyn Books and available now!

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