Five of Pentacles as Feelings in Love & Relationships (Upright & Reversed)

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 Feelings

If you are asking about how someone feels about you and you draw the Five of Pentacles, it means that this person is feeling despair and hopelessness. They feel lonely and pessimistic. They wonder if they can ever do anything right. They may even be clinically depressed right now.

This person may also be feeling like it’s hard for them to communicate honestly and be emotionally close to you. This can be coming from a place of good intent. They want to protect you from their own hopelessness. However, if they never share and completely isolate themselves emotionally, it also creates a wall between the two of you. 

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Five of Pentacles means that this person is feeling pessimistic and hopeless. They are feeling depressed. Remember that their feelings may not have anything to do with you. If they seem guarded, it’s because they don’t want to expose you to their own negativity. While this can be a noble thought, they still need to learn how to be open if they want this to work out in the long term. 

For existing relationships, the Five of Pentacles indicates that this person feels that your relationship is at a low point right now. They wonder if they can do anything right. They tend to always view themselves in the most negative light, which is making it hard for them to communicate honestly and share their true feelings. While this is coming from a good place, it has the opposite effect of what they want. They need to learn how to not isolate themselves emotionally for this to be a successful, healthy relationship.   

If you are asking about an old flame or an ex’s feelings about you, the Five of Pentacles indicates that they feel depressed. The end of your relationship was a big blow to them and their self-esteem. They feel emotionally isolated right now. While they would be willing to entertain the idea of reconciliation, they need to release their negativity in order for it to be successful for both of you. 

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Five of Pentacles is a sign that this person is not feeling good about it. They may feel like they lack the financial means or skills to commit to this next level. They feel despair and hopelessness, even if it is not grounded in reality. Now is a good time for you to talk to them openly and honestly about how you feel and where you see the future going.  

Reversed Five of Pentacles as Feelings

When the Five of Pentacles is reversed, it means that this person is feeling triumphant. Although they were in a period of isolation and despair, they feel like that period is coming to an end for them. They see a light at the end of the tunnel, and they feel like they will prevail. They no longer feel like they are struggling. 

This person may also feel like they are recovering from a difficult period in their life. Where there once was loss, now there is hope. They are feeling hopeful in the future, and they are excited to see what a new day will bring. 

For singles and those in new relationships, the Five of Pentacles reversed is a sign of feeling hopeful. Though this person has been through a lot of grief and pain in the past, they have healed, and they are feeling like things might be different this time with you. Where there was once loss, now there is hope. They are willing to see what your new relationship brings.   

For those in committed relationships, the Five of Pentacles reversed is a sign of feeling like your relationship is coming out of a period of despair. You were going through a rough patch, but now your partner feels like things are improving between you. They feel like they’ve healed some of the pain that they’ve been dealing with, and they are ready to move forward. They are excited to see what the future will bring.  

If you are asking about an ex’s feelings about you, the Five of Pentacles reversed means that they have let go of the pain. Your breakup was very painful for them, but now they are finally at a point where they are ready to move on. Reconciliation is possible if they want to try again, but they equally could just be ready to completely move on, so that both of you can start fresh.  

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Five of Pentacles reversed means that they are feeling like there is potential here. They feel hopeful about your future together, and they are ready to discuss it with you. If you want, now is a great time to bring up the conversation to see where it leads. 

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.