As Signs governed by the element of earth, TAURUS, VIRGO and CAPRICORN are also associated with the Tarot Deck's Suit of Pentacles which belongs to the Minor Aracana. This Suit is sometimes referred to as Discs, Coins, Gold or Diamonds and its elemental ruler is earth. The season linked to the Suit of Pentacles is Winter and its direction is North. This Suit is grounded in the material and physical world, symbolic of accomplishment and manifestation. Issues associated with the Suit of Pentacles tend to be practical and somewhat mundane in nature with a distinct preference for the stability and security offered by earth. The Ace of Pentacles is the Root of Earth, representative of a new start toward financial success...the unique opportunity to begin living life to the fullest. However, the success of this potential will depend upon the perception of and the ability to integrate both the inner spiritual worlds with the outer physical world. In short, it suggests that there must be balance and harmony with neither overshadowing the other. This is primitive earth...both as a whirling planet and as a substance. However, on a more spiritual level, this card relates to the earth in terms of appreciation of nature. The Ace of Pentacles is a remarkably optimistic card which usually heralds an exciting period of progress. Pentacles are primarily concerned with money, physical life and materiality, but they also emcompass the cycles of life, of the planet and the human race, as well as home environment and families. The Ace of Pentacles is particularly associated with inner truths. The Aces of the Tarot represent new beginnings, strength, speed and energy. In short, the life force in its true essence. They are the beginning of the growth process, whether that growth be physical, mental or spiritual. Aces also symbolize the growth of an idea, concept or belief, in addition to being indicative of new careers, new relationships and changes of residence. Each Ace represents the beginning of some type of journey.
The symbol of the gold disk depicted on this card represents financial success, while the seven-pointed star and pentacle indicate integration and completion. The wheel and wings are indicative of movement and activity. The green hue associated with the Ace of Pentacles denotes growth and creativity while the peacock feathers are an indication of beauty.
In a Tarot reading, this card indicates the beginning of prosperity or a business venture. It may also suggest an inheritance and could foreshadow happiness and pleasure for the good things in life. Reversed, it indicates caution...the love of wealth may turn to greed or a tendency to be miserly. It is a suggestion that great plans may come to naught and comfortable material conditions may not prove to be advantageous.
"I am in harmony with the pulse of the planet."
Within the Suit of Pentacles, the card associated with TAURUS is the King (sometimes also referred to as the Prince of the Chariot of Earth). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Builder. It is the airy quality of earth, symbolic of the fruits and seeds of earth and the bringing forth from the earth the vegetation which is the substance of the spirit itself. It is a fertile and abundant cared, signifying the planting of seed which will grow into mighty trees...but trees would not exist without the seed which was planted in the first place. The King of Pentacles indicates a character which is rooted in the physical world, one who is a master of design and architecture. Inherent in this personality is the ability to focus all energy on material and practical matters. It is indicative of an unshakable, stubborn and bull-headed individual, but one who is also enduring, a good manager and a responsible worker. The King of Pentacles is also indicative of competence, trustworthiness and caution. However, there is also curiosity associated with this card...a seeker of new uses for old things. This card represents the typical plodder...trustworthy and good, but almost entirely lacking in emotion. This is a character with unfailing determination to reach set goals, achieve ambitions and create a world which is comfortable to live in. There is an inborn trait to take every task one stage at a time, while constantly keeping the end aim in sight. This will be a diligent individual who is slow to anger but unappeasable when the explosion does occur. The King of Pentacles will stop at nothing to build a fortune. Everything and everyone is considered to be something which can be used for personal gain. The determination of this card is unmatched. The Kings of the Tarot (sometimes also referred to as Princes) are symbolic of passion, intensity and focus of concentration. Kings are essentially single-minded in purpose. The purpose of such focus will be related to the element which rules the specific Suit. Each of the Kings is shown in a chariot and bears a tool representative of his Suit.
The chariot depicted on this card symbolizes forward movement and direction. The bull is representative of determination, power and ambition...qualities mirrored by the figure's helmet. The boulders indicate obstacles to be defeated on the way to success while the earth globe upon which the hand rests represents worldly success. The illustrated fruits are literally "fruits of labor," while the figure's nudity symbolizes openness, trust and honesty. There are several symbols of sexuality found on this card...the bull, the sexual symbols on the tapestry and the nakedness of the figure itself.
In a Tarot reading, this card indicates increased income and good health. It may also suggest the correct timing for action. Reversed, it is an indication that financial conditions may be at a standstill or even a loss of funds. It suggests the need for personal withdrawal in order to regain self-esteem and security. In classical mythology and lore, the King of Pentacles is associated with Midas, the fabled King of Phrygia who was given the ability by the God Dionysus to turn everything he touched into gold.
"I now locate my goals and work toward them with great energy."
Within the Suit of Pentacles, the card associated with VIRGO is the Queen (sometimes also referred to as the Queen of the Throne of Earth). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarot and is known to be The Succeeder. It is the watery quality of earth, symbolic of the element's fertility and warmth...the card most connected to the home environment, families, materiality and fecundity. The Queen of Pentacles contains the seeds of an inner knowing that there is more than just the physical world. This card suggests that although success has been achieved (sometimes at great personal cost), there still remains an inner emptiness. The Queen of Pentacles is a self-sufficient and stable card, representing an individual who has attained success and feels that all dues have been paid in the process. Pride is taken in all that has been accomplished, but roots remain in the material yearning for wealth and health. Despite all past successes, this card is indicative of an individual who continues to search for something...probably without fully knowing exactly what is being sought or where it might be found. The Queen of Pentacles has mastered the material side of life and stands ready to find the spiritual path. The Queens of the Tarot represent not only women but anyone...male or female...who has reached a level of growth and maturity on both the spiritual and material paths. Queens are representative of power, authority, fulfillment and competency. They are the highest of the Court Cards having attained the loftiest of qualities symbolized within the Major Aracana. Each Queen is depicted seated upon a throne which bears the emblem of her respective Suit.
The throne depicted on this card symbolizes the rewards of achievement. The globe held within the crook of the arm indicates authority and control, while the gold coins represent financial success. The snake gown denotes a concern for health and the goat is symbolic of focus, independence, tenacity and courage. The desert indicates the dues that have been paid for achievement while the green oasis is representative of the reward of present comforts. The horns symolize the need to know the true meaning of life while the staff indicates a rooting in the physical world. The colors of the card are indicative of money, health and attainment. The fact that the figure is looking backward represents the knowledge that there must surely be more than what has already been achieved.
In a Tarot reading, this card indicates security and competence within a job or career. It also suggests the possession of a skill which can be used at any time in order to earn money. Reversed, it indicates changeability and a narrow outlook...one who is suspicious of what is not understood. It may also represent a spendthrift or an individual lacking good judgment in business matters. In classical mythology and lore, the Queen of Pentacles is associated with Omphale, legendary Queen of Lydia under whom the Greek Hero Heracles served as a slave in penance for the murder of Iphitus. During this time, Heracles wore women's clothing while Omphale sported the hero's lion skin and carried his club.
"My heart's haven surrounds me always."
Within the Suit of Pentacles, the card associated with CAPRICORN is the Knight (sometimes also referred to as the Lord of the Wide and Fertile Land and/or King of the Spirit of Earth). This card belongs to the Court Cards of the Tarrot and is known to be The Healer. It is the fiery quality of earth, symbolic of its generative property, associated with medicine, finances, hard work and the rewards of such labors. This card is indicative of excellent diagnostic abilities which can be applied to both the body and to finances. At its deepest level, it signifies material and physical resources, endowed with good management and attention to detail. The Knight of Pentacles lives a plodding life with a preoccupation for material things. This card indicates a relatively patient individual, but one who is not at all intellectual. Any success achieved will be due to instinct and hard work for there is a distinct lack of imagination. Responsibility and committment are the keywords for the Knight of Pentacles. Although there may be a desire to reach beyond the physical plane, it is doubtful that such will be realized. Any attempt to seek beyond the physical world would probably be deemed an escapist maneuver from material responsibilities. This is not to say that there is no desire for freedom associated with the Knight of Pentacles, only the belief that it cannot be attained in the physical world. This card is indicative of hard work, stability and trustworthiness. The Knight of Pentacles may never become fabulously rich, but he will never want for much in the way of material possession. The Knights of the Tarot represent some type of release from the past. This release may be from a relationship, employment or residence, for example. Thus, Knights are symbolic of "clean breaks." Each one appears upon a steed and bears a symbol of the Suit he represents. The Knight is a defender of his Queen.
The wheat depicted on this card symbolizes material wealth and abundance. It is also symbolic of successful work since the stalks appear strong and healthy. The Sun represents power...especially that of the materialistic variety. The shield is indicative of protection from the diseases of the world (including emotional stability) while the antlers are yet another health symbol, one which is often associated with the Shaman or Medicine Men. The armor represents the restriction felt in the world and the apparent near-exhaustion of both human figure and steed is indicative of fatigue of the world.
In a Tarot reading, this card is a good indicator for finances and overall prosperity. It also suggests opportunities and promotions. Reversed, it indicates dullness and overwhelming materialism. It may also represent a shaken base of security or lack of peace and harmony. There is also a suggestion of possible money loss and poor investments. In classical mythology and lore, the Knight of Pentacles is associated with Aristaeus, an ancient Greek pastoral deity made immortal by Gaia. Aristaeus was Patron of the Hunt, Agriculture, Cattle and Bee-Culture. He is said to have taught mankind how to cultivate Olives and credited with being indirectly responsible for the death of Eurydices (the nymph-wife of Orpheus).
"Effort brings reward."
Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is givenAll featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris
