Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed & Love

A man sits rigidly on a stone bench, one pentacle balanced on his head, one clutched to his chest, and two more pinned beneath his feet. Behind him, a city thrives — but he has turned his back on it. The Four of Pentacles captures the tension between security and stagnation, between holding on and holding too tight.

Quick Reference

Upright Meaning

The Four of Pentacles upright speaks to a deep need for control and security. You have worked hard for what you have, and the thought of losing it fills you with anxiety. So you grip tighter. You save obsessively, avoid risks, and resist any change that might threaten your current stability. On the surface, this looks like financial prudence — but underneath, it is driven by fear.

There is nothing wrong with wanting security. Building savings, protecting your assets, and being cautious with money are all wise strategies. But the Four of Pentacles warns that when caution becomes rigidity, it stops serving you. The man in the card is so focused on protecting his coins that he cannot move, cannot grow, and cannot enjoy what he has already built.

This card asks you to examine what you are clinging to and why. Is it money? A job that no longer fulfills you? A relationship you are afraid to leave? A belief about yourself that keeps you small? The Four of Pentacles says: your grip is the problem.

Reversed Meaning

The Four of Pentacles reversed can go one of two ways. In its more positive expression, it signals that you are finally loosening your grip. You are learning to be generous, to share your wealth, to take calculated risks, and to release the need to control every outcome. Money begins to flow more freely — both in and out — and you feel lighter for it.

In its more cautionary expression, the reversal can indicate reckless spending or financial instability caused by letting go of too much too fast. You may have swung from extreme hoarding to extreme carelessness. The goal is balance: hold enough to feel secure, release enough to feel alive.

In Love & Relationships

If you are single: The Four of Pentacles suggests that fear is keeping you from opening up to love. You may be so focused on protecting yourself — emotionally or financially — that you have built walls no one can penetrate. Vulnerability is not weakness. Let someone in before loneliness becomes your only companion.

If you are in a relationship: Possessiveness or control may be an issue. One partner might be overly protective of finances, time, or personal space. Alternatively, emotional walls are preventing deeper intimacy. A relationship requires both partners to share openly — money, feelings, fears, and dreams. Loosen the grip before it suffocates what you are trying to protect.

In Career & Finances

In career readings, the Four of Pentacles often represents staying in a safe, stable job that no longer excites you — purely because you are afraid of the financial risk of leaving. You may turn down opportunities, side projects, or career pivots because the uncertainty feels unbearable. Ask yourself: is this security or a prison?

Financially, this card is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you are likely in a stable position — bills are paid, savings exist, debts are managed. On the other hand, you may be so focused on accumulation that you never enjoy your wealth. You skip vacations, deny yourself small pleasures, and measure your worth by your account balance. Money is a tool, not a trophy. Learn to spend on experiences and people that matter.

As Advice

Hold what matters. Release what does not. The Four of Pentacles asks you to distinguish between healthy boundaries and fear-based walls. Save wisely, but spend joyfully. Protect what is valuable, but do not cling to what has outgrown its usefulness. True security comes not from how much you hold, but from knowing you can rebuild if you ever need to.

Card Combinations

• Four of Pentacles + The Tower: A forced release. Something you have been clinging to will be stripped away — painfully but necessarily. Trust that what remains is what truly matters.
• Four of Pentacles + Six of Pentacles: The tension between hoarding and generosity. You are being asked to share your resources. The more you give, the more returns to you.
• Four of Pentacles + Ace of Pentacles: A new opportunity is available, but fear of losing what you already have is preventing you from seizing it. Take the leap.

Explore more tarot card meanings in our Complete Tarot Card Meanings Guide, or if you are just starting out, check out our Tarot for Beginners Guide.