Five of Pentacles as Health (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 Health

If you are asking about health, and you draw the Five of Pentacles, it suggests that your current condition is difficult—marked by physical depletion, lack of support, or emotional isolation. This card often reflects feeling unwell without a clear path forward, or struggling to access the care and comfort you need. It can also signal a belief that you have to go through your healing journey alone, even when help may be nearby.

The Five of Pentacles in a health reading encourages you to pay attention to feelings of abandonment, fear of illness, or not asking for help when you truly need it. You might be downplaying your symptoms or silently suffering, thinking no one would understand or be there for you. It’s a reminder that reaching out, even a little, can make a difference in your healing.

For physical health, the Five of Pentacles can represent concerns around chronic illness, fatigue, injury, or being without access to proper care or resources. It can point to being undernourished—physically, financially, or emotionally—and may involve long-standing health challenges that have felt ignored or unsupported. This card asks you to seek out what has been missing: warmth, shelter, or connection.

For mental and emotional health, the Five of Pentacles suggests you are currently experiencing hopelessness, anxiety, or the emotional weight of feeling left out or unsupported. It can reflect loneliness, shame, or emotional pain that hasn’t been shared with anyone. The heaviness of carrying things alone can impact your spirit and make even small efforts feel exhausting.

If you’re asking about the cause of a health issue, the Five of Pentacles suggests it may be rooted in long-term neglect, poverty of care, or emotional depletion that’s taken a physical toll. You may have gone through a period where your needs—emotional, physical, or spiritual—weren’t met, and your body is now reflecting that lack. Recovery starts by validating your experience and tending to what’s been abandoned.

If you’re wondering about recovery, the Five of Pentacles shows that healing will come through reaching out, accepting help, and knowing you don’t have to go through this alone. Support may come from unexpected places, but only if you’re open to receiving it. The path to healing begins when you let yourself be seen and supported in your vulnerability.

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Reversed Five of Pentacles as Health

If you are asking about health, and you draw the Five of Pentacles reversed, it suggests that your current condition is beginning to improve—you’re coming out of a hard time and slowly finding your way back to support and strength. The worst may be behind you, and you’re starting to see signs of hope and restoration. It can indicate that you’re no longer fully in survival mode, even if you’re still regaining your footing.

The Five of Pentacles reversed in a health reading encourages you to pay attention to signs of recovery, new resources, or a shift in your mindset that opens the door to hope. Even if the change is small, your willingness to move forward is powerful. This card reminds you that healing happens in layers, and you’re on your way.

For physical health, the Five of Pentacles reversed can represent concerns around slow recovery from illness, rebuilding strength, or finally addressing a long-ignored condition. You may be finding a treatment that works, connecting with the right practitioner, or simply feeling more energy return to your body. It’s a time to rebuild with care and gentleness.

For mental and emotional health, the Five of Pentacles reversed suggests you are currently experiencing renewed hope, emotional reconnection, or the early stages of rebuilding your confidence. You might be starting to feel more connected to others or more grounded within yourself. The sense of isolation is lifting, and you’re remembering that you are worthy of care.

If you’re asking about the cause of a health issue, the Five of Pentacles reversed suggests it may be rooted in a time of deep emotional or financial strain that is now starting to lift. You are moving away from a period of hardship, and your body and heart are beginning to respond to safety and care. The recovery process may be gradual, but it is already underway.

If you’re wondering about recovery, the Five of Pentacles reversed shows that healing will come through asking for help, reconnecting with your community, and knowing that you are not alone. Allowing yourself to receive—whether it’s care, comfort, or resources—will be essential. This card is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to happen in isolation.

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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.