Eight of Pentacles -

Tarot Card Meaning

Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.

Written by Made Musings

EIGHT OF PENTACLES

At a glance:

The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes a period of intense focus, dedication, and mastering a craft or skill.

Upright Keywords:
Honing skills, patience, dedication

Reversed Keywords:
laziness, perfectionism

Numerology:
8 - abundance, success, and progress

Eight of Pentacles: Upright Meaning

The Eight of Pentacles depicts a young man meticulously etching a pentacle onto a coin, representing the eighth one he’s crafted. Isolated from the distant town in the background, he dedicates himself fully to his task. This card symbolizes a period of intense focus and dedication, emphasizing the importance of mastering a craft or skill. It speaks to the power of hard work, practice, and the pursuit of excellence.

Numerology and Suit Meaning:

  • In numerology, the number 8 is associated with abundance, success, perseverance and progress. It signifies achievement and the realization of goals, often linked to financial prosperity and business acumen.

  • The suit of Pentacles governs the material and physical world. It has dealings with wealth, career, business, and health. This can also lead to emotional impacts on self-esteem and status.

  • Elementally, pentacles correspond with Earth. It is the physical foundation that we stand on. Much like how we till the land to grow crops and flowers, our hard work leads to material gain. At the same time, we must care for and protect our garden like how we do the same for our bodies.

Love/Relationships

The Eight of Pentacles love meaning suggests that a significant amount of work is necessary to build a strong, lasting connection. Just as the young man dedicates himself to his craft, you must invest in your relationship, continually working to understand and support your partner. Communicate openly about your priorities and expectations, yet be willing to work together to overcome challenges. 

The Eight of Pentacles in a reading can indicate that it's time to prioritize your personal development versus putting energy into a relationship right now. This card suggests that either you or your partner may need to concentrate on self-improvement before taking the relationship to the next level. It's important to recognize that investing in yourself can lead to a stronger, more balanced partnership in the future. When there is still work to be done, it is unwise to continue to the next level of a relationship. Use this time to address your personal fears, pursue your passions, and work on any areas that need growth. This self-focused effort will ultimately benefit your relationships in the long run.

Money/Career

You may find yourself improving at your job with each passing day, as your dedication and hard work begin to pay off.  The Eight of Pentacles encourages you to continue honing your skills, as your efforts will lead to greater success and recognition in your field. Take advantage of opportunities for further training or education. Seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors to refine your skills. 

Even though this card signifies that you have not yet reached your goals, it is important to stay committed to your professional development. Trust that your persistence and focus will lead to the career advancement you’ve been working so hard for.

Spiritual/Self

The Eight of Pentacles encourages you to immerse yourself in your passions, as continuous effort will lead to expertise and enlightenment. This may also reflect how you wish to focus on personal goals, like improving your diet or mastering negative emotions. This card emphasizes the importance of continuous learning in reaching these goals, suggesting that true growth does not happen overnight. The path to mastery requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from your experiences.

“True growth does not happen overnight. The path to mastery requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from your experiences. ”

Astrology

The suit of Pentacles in tarot is deeply connected to the element of Earth, representing the physical realm and material aspects of life. This association aligns with the zodiac earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, reflecting their grounded nature and practical approach to life. These earth signs embody stability, sensuality, practicality, and attention to detail. Their characteristics also mirror the Pentacles' emphasis on hard work, responsibility, and achieving goals. Together, these earth signs and the Pentacles suit remind us of the importance of grounding ourselves in reality, nurturing our physical well-being, and building a solid foundation for success and prosperity.

Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.

Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the Eight of Pentacles suggests that you may not be putting enough effort into the task at hand, or conversely, that you are too consumed by a project, neglecting other important aspects of your life. This card warns against half-hearted efforts or over exertion. Ask yourself, how can you shift your focus and energy on what truly matters? Reevaluate your priorities and ensure that you are dedicating sufficient time and effort to your important tasks. If you are overcommitted to a project, take a step back and make time for other areas of your life, such as relationships and self-care.

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CARD SUMMARY

The Eight of Pentacles speaks to the power of hard work, practice, and the pursuit of excellence.

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