Eight of Pentacles as a Person (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Eight of Pentacles is the card of commitment, hard work, high standards, dedication, and accomplishment. This card shows a man who is hard at work. He is working diligently on one of his pentacles. Above him hang many finished pentacles in a line. He is working on them one by one, and he will not stop until they are all done. 

The Eight of Pentacles reminds us that putting in consistent and diligent effort is just as important to the success of a relationship as having passionate feelings. Though putting in the work may not feel as sexy or as exciting, it’s part of the glue that holds a relationship together in the day-to-day. The Eight of Pentacles is a reminder to show our love through consistent actions over time. 

Upright Eight of Pentacles as a Person

If the Eight of Pentacles appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is someone who is willing to put in the work. Not only are they hard-working in a professional sense, they’re willing to work on their relationships, spirituality, and self-improvement. They’re not quitters. It is astrologically associated with the Sun in Virgo. Because the Sun is a masculine planet, while Virgo is a feminine sign, this card carries both an active, assertive as well as a passive, receptive energy. We all have a little bit of both energies expressed in a balanced way, regardless of which gender we identify as.

For physical characteristics, the Eight of Pentacles as a person represents someone who works on themselves. They make an effort with their looks, and they work out. Eight of Pentacles people are also very career oriented and may be workaholics. Their workaholism may negatively impact their health. And their business or career ambitions usually motivate them to always appear presentable — just in case they run into anybody important. Astrologically associated with the Sun in Virgo, they enjoy high-quality craftsmanship. They’re also meticulous with their diet and health routines. 

For emotional characteristics, the Eight of Pentacles as a person represents someone who works on their emotions and thoughts systematically. This person may enjoy journaling or chronicling their experiences. They’ve learned how to process their feelings in a constructive way. Eight of Pentacles people understand that anything worthwhile takes work and time to build up, whether it’s a relationship or a business. If you’re romantically involved with this person, they’re the type who will happily go to couples therapy to work on your relationship issues. They believe in fixing what they already have rather than giving up.

For careers, the Eight of Pentacles can represent someone who is not afraid of hard work. With their astrological association with the Sun in Virgo, their work life makes up a large portion of their identity. They take a lot of pride in the amount of work they put into their achievements. This card usually represents an employee or a freelancer. If they are a business owner or an employer, they are usually a very hands-on type of boss who works as hard as they work their employees. Even when drawn upright, this person can be prone to workaholism. 

The Eight of Pentacles as a person represents someone who makes you feel like you’re with somebody who makes an effort. Whether you’re linked to this person romantically, platonically, or professionally, there’s a sense that they give as much into the relationship as you do. They don’t make you do all the work. This person is also persistent in everything they do. Always working on their self-improvement, they also have the humility to learn something new at every stage of life. They’re one of the most sincere and earnest people you will ever meet. 

Reversed Eight of Pentacles as a Person

If the Eight of Pentacles reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a person, that means that this person is a hard worker, but they direct their hard work into more negative pursuits. They may constantly work to manipulate others. Because this is a Minor Arcana card, some of these traits will not be inherent aspects of their identity. If they are behaving unfavorably, they might just be going through a temporary phase. It may be a behavioral pattern that they can still unlearn, if they choose to. Good or bad, nobody is perfect, and people can use their free will to change for the better.

For physical characteristics, the Eight of Pentacles reversed as a person represents someone who either pushes themselves too hard or doesn’t work on themselves at all. Because this card is astrologically associated with the Sun in Virgo, they may be prone to being critical of themselves or others. If they are overly critical of others, they will usually lack self-awareness. They make no effort to dress appropriately for the workplace. They also make little effort to stay healthy. Sometimes this card may represent someone who lives an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle.

For emotional characteristics, the Eight of Pentacles reversed as a person represents someone who is emotionally lazy. They don’t stop to feel or process their emotions. This person may be prone to outbursts since they don’t know how to manage intense emotions. They also carry an energy similar to The Magician in reverse: they can be manipulative and scheming. However, unlike the Mercury-ruled Magician who manipulates with words, an Eight of Pentacles person sabotages through quiet maneuvers behind the scenes. For example, if they’re your employer, they may assign you to a department where they know you wouldn’t flourish. 

For careers, the Eight of Pentacles reversed can represent someone who is lazy and entitled. If they “work hard”, it’s usually working hard at sucking up to higher-ups, running smear campaigns against colleagues, or trying to sabotage another person’s promotions. They’re rarely actually working on what’s listed on their job description. Since this card is astrologically associated with the Sun in Virgo, they have a tendency to take credit for othersʼ work. This person may also believe they’re above doing certain types of work. Additionally, details may not be their strong suit. 

The Eight of Pentacles reversed as a person represents someone who makes you feel like you’re being “worked on.” They always seem to be hustling, but they misdirect their hustle to less constructive endeavors. They waste their time by obsessing over those they envy and trying to sabotage them. Alternatively, this may indicate someone who has mentally checked out. They are pessimistic and see no future in the relationship, so they stop working on it. Drawing this card in a reading about any relationship advises us to move on. 

Conclusion

For love readings, the Eight of Pentacles represents hard work and commitment. It is a reminder that the best relationships are the ones that we invest in. When we put in consistent and diligent effort into a relationship, it will thrive and grow. Never underestimate the power of putting in the work.

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.