Five of Pentacles as a Man (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Pentacles is the card of hardship, loss, isolation, abandonment, struggle, and alienation. The card shows two people walking through icy wind and snow. Both of them are dressed in rags, and they are clearly struggling. Behind them is a church where they can seek shelter, if only they would go inside. 

The Five of Pentacles reminds us that struggle and loss is part of the process. It is part of life, and often, it’s part of our romantic relationships as well. From our struggles, we learn how to become better partners and how to choose better partners for ourselves. This is a reminder that even when things look negative, we can still take away with us the positive: the lessons we’ve learned.   

Upright Five of Pentacles as a Man

If the Five of Pentacles appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is facing financial or emotional hardship and possibly seeking external support. The man symbolized by this card is likely grappling with tough circumstances, such as job loss, financial troubles, or emotional emptiness. This is a period of struggle for him, and he may be more open to seeking help from external sources, whether that’s financial aid or emotional support.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Pentacles as a man represents someone who is slightly disheveled, with a worn voice that betrays strain, a touch of urgency, and an aroma of neglect. His clothes may be out of date or slightly worn, showing visible signs of his hardship. His voice could be raspy or shaky, hinting at emotional or physical exhaustion. His touch, often clammy and hurried, reveals his inner tension, and he may carry the stale scent of old clothes or a living space that hasn’t been tended to in a while.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Pentacles as a man represents someone who is feeling isolated and stressed, with a focus on what has been lost or is lacking. There is a sense of despondency about him, perhaps due to financial ruin or emotional setbacks. He often concentrates on his losses and difficulties, which can lead to a sense of isolation, as he may feel that no one can understand or alleviate his troubles.

Astrologically, the Five of Pentacles as a man represents someone who is likely to have challenging Saturn aspects, emphasizing lessons through struggle and deprivation. Saturn, the taskmaster of the zodiac, in a difficult aspect could manifest as persistent obstacles in his life, especially concerning material or emotional well-being. This planetary influence suggests that he is in a phase where life lessons come through challenges, often making him feel as if he’s carrying a heavy burden.

For careers, the Five of Pentacles can represent a man who works as an underpaid laborer, a struggling artist, or someone between jobs. His work situation is unstable, and he often feels undervalued or overlooked in his professional life. Whether he’s a laborer who’s not being paid his worth or an artist whose work is not yet recognized, his career doesn’t offer him the stability or satisfaction he desires.

The Five of Pentacles as a man represents someone who makes you feel empathetic but cautious, as their problems might become your own. While you might feel a strong urge to help him, you’re also aware that his issues could weigh you down as well. Interactions often come with a hint of emotional or financial risk, leaving you feeling both compassionate and wary.

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Reversed Five of Pentacles as a Man

If the Five of Pentacles reversed appears in a Tarot spread as a man, that means that this person is finding ways out of hardship but may still be overlooking some available resources. The individual symbolized by this card is emerging from a period of difficulty and is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, he may not yet be fully aware of all the options or support systems available to him to expedite his recovery.

For physical characteristics, the Five of Pentacles reversed as a man represents someone who is beginning to improve in appearance, with a voice tinged with hope, and a less stressful scent surrounding him. His clothes are starting to look more put together, perhaps signaling that he’s finding better opportunities or improving his situation. His voice, once weighed down by stress, now has a lighter, more hopeful undertone. The scent around him has also shifted, moving away from the musty aroma of stress to a cleaner, fresher smell, mirroring his changing circumstances.

For emotional characteristics, the Five of Pentacles reversed as a man represents someone who is slowly regaining self-esteem and hope, though may still harbor fears of relapse. While he’s not completely out of the woods yet, there is a noticeable change in his demeanor. He’s beginning to believe in himself again and is cautiously optimistic about the future, although he might still have lingering anxieties about falling back into old patterns.

Astrologically, the Five of Pentacles reversed as a man represents someone who is experiencing the lighter effects of a Saturn return or favorable planetary transits that signify changes in hardship. As Saturn return phases can be times of significant challenges and life restructuring, having this card appear reversed might indicate he’s moving toward the more constructive aspects of this astrological event. Alternatively, positive transits from benefic planets like Jupiter or Venus might be supporting his efforts to change his situation for the better.

For careers, the Five of Pentacles reversed can represent a man who works as someone in a transitional phase, possibly retraining for a new job or career. He might be taking courses, learning new skills, or even starting at a new job where there’s room for growth. He’s not yet fully established in this new phase of his career, but the wheels are in motion, signaling potential for improvement.

The Five of Pentacles reversed as a man represents someone who makes you feel hopeful but cautious, as the path ahead is still uncertain. While interacting with him, you get a sense of potential and possibility, but you’re also aware that he’s still in a delicate stage of his journey. Your feelings toward him may oscillate between optimism for his future and caution, given the instability that still lurks in the background.

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Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, the Five of Pentacles represents hardship and loss. Though it is often a difficult pill for us to swallow, we often learn the most important lessons through our struggles and grief. Know that this is not permanent, and it is just part of the journey. Better times are ahead. 

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.