Two Cards

Have a question? Shuffle now for your reading.

8 pentacles
Five of Swords Tarot Card

Card reading

The Eight of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles gives you a taste of success but reminds you that you can’t have what you want overnight.

There is a goal in sight for you right now and you are on the right path – learning new tricks, creating healthy environments around you, and otherwise doing what you can to succeed. The Eight of Pentacles is a reminder not to give up and to continue on the path that you are on now.

When this card comes up in a reading it usually will accompany a daunting time in one’s life where life seems mechanical or monotonous. Consider daily tasks in which you are bored from doing the same repetitive motions. You may feel like you are caught in a rat race or that you are trying with your all but you are not getting anywhere. Often before we can advance onto higher lessons in life we have to continue taking baby steps. You may feel that you are ready for more or that you should be doing more in your life… however if you feel this way then you are probably discounting the actions you take and their importance. Right now is an important time in your life and you are on the cusp of something greater. It is important to not quit just yet and allow your actions to complete their cycle.

The man on the Eight of Pentacles card is working diligently at creating new coins out of wood and then placing them onto a tree. The background sky is white and is indicative of purity and spirituality. Often it is assumed that he is an apprentice of some sort of trade and that the coins and the wood are symbolisms of his future prosperity. Like the apprentice, you are learning skills for your life so that you can ultimately get what you want. You need to learn to take pride in your small accomplishments. Avoid downplaying your own efforts.

The card can also be a sign that you need to lighten up on someone around you. Rather than focusing on you as the apprentice, the Eight of Pentacles be showing you as the master in a relationship in your life, where you have the skills to succeed but someone around you is not quite up to par with you. In work and love both this card can indicate problems that can be easily resolved with patience and communication. The overall message of the Eight of Pentacles is that hard work and determination will allow you to succeed. Whatever your role is regarding this card, communication, building a foundation, and consistency is key to the questions that you have of life right now.

The Eight of Pentacles in Love

When dealing with other people in relationships petty arguments and bickering is bound to happen. The Eight of Pentacles comes up when there are small complaints in the relationship or insecurities about a partner. If either of these situations are you then the Eight of Pentacles is reminding you that we are not all perfect. We must all start somewhere in order to grow on your path and it is likely that you are with your partner at this time for a reason. You more than likely have some information or experiences that will prove beneficial to your partner.

Right now is a good time to think of ways in which you can offer yourself as an example, rather than a standard. Think of the ways in which you express to your partner and how the two of you work together. You may find that you are being looked to for guidance and that you are being too harsh in your own judgments. When looking for love, the Eight of Pentacles has a different meaning entirely. In this case traditionally the card turns around and places you back as the apprentice and advises to take small steps forward right now. Focus first on ways that you are ready for love and cultivate those. Be aware that you likely still have old emotions or hang ups from a previous relationship that need to be resolved so that you do not repeat past mistakes.

The Eight of Pentacles in Health

The Eight of Pentacles is a card that represents a work in progress. The card can be somewhat concerning in health because it usually will symbolize that you have been working hard for your health goal and yet you are not seeing the desired responses. Whatever your health concern is, right now you need to take a step back and look at the process you are taking. Consider what ways you are doing counter-productive actions and which efforts are simply not enough. Do not allow yourself to become overwhelmed with the larger picture at hand. Take one step at a time and do not lose sight of your goal.

It can be a good time to ask someone else for assistance that has dealt with similar health issues before or seek the motivation of others. Because of the earthy energy of the card and the suit of pentacles in general, you may find that you are getting overwhelmed from your efforts. Try not to beat yourself up. Realizing that you are doing what you can and that questioning the reasons of your actions or making excuses are not going to get you anywhere.

The Eight of Pentacles in Work and Wealth

The Eight of Pentacles usually indicates a beginning in one way or another regarding both work and finance. Even if you are the boss of a company and know your industry like the back of your hand, there are still things that you need to learn. Allow yourself the opportunity to increase your knowledge base at this time and work on exercises that are going to grow you expertise. Now is not a good time to be making HUGE changes in your life of finance or career, rather you want to focus on the smaller changes that you can make as well as to jump on opportunities to network, learn, and grow.

The Eight of Pentacles is also a thinking card. Your focus is important right now. You may notice that you have bitten off more than you can chew in a work project or are feeling discouraged about a lack of progress in finances. Remember that even mistakes are opportunities to grow. Take what you can out of even the worst of situations and apply it to future opportunities. The loss will work out in the end and may even prove to be for the best. 

In work the eight of Pentacles implies that you are working but are not paid what you should be. Reversed this card indicates that the work is efficient. As he has already completed five of the pentacles which are above him it can indicate that work is not finished. Like the seven of pentacles which is all about patience, the eight can suggest that on the 8th pentacle you can publicly show your strength. This card can indicate you are producing some results but it will take time. Additionally, that you are completely dedicated and also learning at the same time. In some tarot books, this card is seen in work as being responsible but above all, it implies that you can accomplish things well but you need to understand that things are needed in detail. If you are looking for work, been to a job interview then this is a positive card, it can imply that you are committed to new tasks and generally you have so much on your plate. The key is to focus on yourself right now. In business, the eight of Pentacles implies that there is mastery but it will take work to become the master. This card also indicates cash and career developments. The 8 is a great card for business and it shows that you will a “master” and you will make enough money in life. 

8 of Pentacles Tarot Card Reversed

Reversed Eight of Pentacles in a reading

The Eight of Pentacles reversed shows a lack of motivation, determination, and vision. It can be a detrimental card in a reading because when you are not focused on the task at hand then careless mistakes can be made. Make sure you are doing all you can to make informed decisions and to not jump to conclusions. When reversed the Eight of Pentacles tells you to stop, look, and listen before making another leap physically or spiritually.

Upright Eight of Pentacles Meanings in Keywords

  • Working hard in life
  • Producing good results
  • Extra careful at work
  • Working diligently
  • Appreciation
  • Development
  • Employment
  • Appreciation
  • Development
  • Employment
  • Authority
  • Patience
  • Bad results
  • Small success

Reversed Eight of Pentacles Meanings in Keywords

  • Late success
  • Acknowledgment
  • Breakthrough
  • Recovery
  • Material stability
  • Resignation
  • Organization
  • New beginning

The Five of Swords

 
 
 

The Five of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

If you have received the Five of Swords in your reading, then you are experiencing evidence at this time that you are having a hard time communicating your ideas to others.

This is the card that is known for ‘writing stories’ in your head that don’t really exist in real life. Really what is happening is you are feeling self-conscious, and you have come up with reasons in your mind to believe that others are out to get you. This is also the card of a pointless battle, one that could have easily been sorted out by communication and understanding, as well as listening to the actual words of those around you instead of guessing or thinking that you know what they are trying to say. Right now, it is becoming difficult to make decisions because you have yourself so tangled in what someone ‘might’ think, when in reality, what they ‘might’ think is none of your business. Anything that is not vocally communicated is painstaking and speculative and is an unhealthy waste of your time.

The image of the 5 of Swords in the deck is depicted with a person who has captured the swords of his adversaries who are leaving, rejected and lost. There are storm clouds in the background. This card shows that you might be the conqueror or the conquered. But neither position has actually won. This battle was pointless, it was unfair and it was full of cowardliness. Basically, this is not one of the higher points of your life. Your inner feelings of inadequacy are weighing down on you heavily and whether you succeeded or lost, you have an unshakable sense of humiliation. Now you must rely even more heavily than normal on your inner voice because others are definitely going to have something negative to say about you. Consider how your thoughts are influencing your daily life. As spiritual creatures, we know that what we think is what we create, so if you are spending most of your time focusing on what someone is thinking or saying about you then how much of this is being created by your own internal machinations?

What you must do at this time is attempt to trust and that you have the wisdom to move passed this unsavory time of your life. Push through the fears that you have created in your mind and fill it up instead with the successes that you wish to accomplish as well as the joys that surround you on a daily level. You must allow yourself to see all of the possibilities all around you instead of coming up with reasons why nothing is going to help you. Cut out all forms of negative thinking and affirm the visualizations that bring you happiness. Trying to make others believe that you are right is not going to help you or change anyone’s mind. You are missing the point, that to have happiness, you must remove all possibilities that exist in your mind that believes that anyone else can make your life right or wrong for you. You are the only person in this equation who actually matters. Ask for spiritual strength to bring you guidance. Your most painstaking dilemma at this time is discovering how to keep the order and discipline in your life as your foundation while also making changes to better your circumstances. Meditate on this and know that your stability is inside of you, you cannot find it anywhere else.

The Five of Swords in Love

When the Five of Swords becomes present in a reading about love or relationships, you are stuck in a cycle of fighting needlessly to get your point across. This is symbolic for those in relationships who spend more time fighting then loving, and in a single person’s life this is representative of unwillingness to learn from past mistakes. You spend so much time worrying about what others think or feel about you that you never get anything done. You must push past this phase for it is a phase that keeps you uninvolved as well as unhappy. The point in love is for you and someone else to be able to express themselves ultimately as equals in the relationship. If you are focusing more on their faults, or they are focusing more on what your faults then neither of you is being productive. You must consider now whether it is worth it to keep fighting in this manner. Right now no one is winning.

The Five of Swords in Health

In Health, the Five of Swords is telling you that you are worrying way too much about the potential of health hazards and diseases. This level of over-worrying is making it impossible for you to experience all that life has to offer. Perhaps you are afraid of letting this go, because you might hurt or injure yourself. But remember: Life is for living, not for staying indoors preoccupying yourself with what MIGHT happen should you go outside. You need to get outside, strengthen your muscles both physically and mentally. Doing so will create a sense of health and wellness that you have only dreamed of.

The Five of Swords in Work and Wealth

The Five of Swords in your Work life is representative of interoffice drama. Currently you are stuck in the little tiny world of your coworkers and there is a negative energy around you that is feeding on itself by promoting gossip and lack of productivity. There is a whole world outside of this small microcosm. Now is the time to break out of this unhealthy routine and push for new experiences that are enlivened with the breath of non-dramatic fun.

The Five Of Swords Reversed

Reversed Meaning - Five Of Swords

When you have received the Five of Swords in the reversed position you are experiencing despair and defeat. Do you see how your mind perpetuates pessimism and doubt? You are stuck in a cycle of believing that nothing good is ever going to happen for you. Therefore you are fighting yourself constantly and losing. The change necessary here does not happen overnight, but it is time for you to let go of what is inhibiting you. Your attachment to ego is overdeveloped and you are becoming passive aggressive due to current situations emulating old ones. You are recreating a history now in which you may be hurt again, specifically because you never let the old go to begin with. You must confront the fear of the old, learn from it and heal or you will continue to perpetuate the same issues over and over again in a never ending cycle of misery.

Upright Five of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Selfishness
  • Feeling trapped in hostility
  • Looking after yourself
  • Gloating
  • Going for the win
  • Rejecting advice
  • Self-centred

Reversed Five of Swords Meanings in Keywords

  • Lack of order
  • Lack of commitment
  • Toxic relationships
  • Choosing a side
  • Conflicts and fights
  • Acting immoral
  • Misguidance