In the Minor Arcana’s suits, the Sevens represent obstacles. These aren’t as critical as the major conflicts and turning points embodied by the Fives cards, but they’re obstacles nonetheless.
In many interpretations, these are viewed as a kind of test — these situations exist in order to test what we’ve learned.
If we’ve absorbed the lessons of the rest of the Minor Arcana cards, then we can make the best possible choices and come out ahead. If not, we suffer the consequences.
The Seven of Pentacles deals with money, growth, abundance, the physical body, and all things ruled by the element of Earth.
About Seven of Pentacles
- Keywords: Rewards of hard work, perseverance, patience, cultivation, fruition
- Keywords (Reversed): Poor planning, laziness, impatience, setbacks
- Yes or No: Yes
- Yes or No (Reversed): No
- Element: Earth
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, the Seven of Pentacles is the very picture of patience and dedication. Artist Pamela Colman Smith illustrated this card as a young farmer gazing over his crop. He looks weary, and is resting propped up on the handle of his hoe.
There isn’t much going on behind him. The sky is plain and overcast, and there are a few mountains in the distance. Mountains typically represent challenges, but this young farmer doesn’t seem concerned. His back is to them, and his focus is entirely on his crop.
The crop itself is very interesting. It’s a mass of vines, with leaves similar to grape leaves, and seven large pentacles as fruit.
This strange plant serves as a metaphor for the cultivation of all kinds of prosperity, whether they are literal fruits and vegetables, or something else entirely. You can’t rush success. You spend more time in the growing process than you do in the harvest.
See also: Check out Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot decks here.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning (Upright)
As a general rule, the Seven of Pentacles upright represents patience, perseverance, and hard work. It’s a reminder that your hard work will pay off, eventually.
This card indicates that you’re in the last phases of an important phase or project, and need to keep going in order to succeed.
You may want to pause and take stock of your situation, but only dedication and nurturing will ultimately get you what you want.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning (Reversed)
When reversed, the Seven of Pentacles can indicate hard work spent on something that isn’t worth it. You may have invested considerable time and labor into a project or idea, only to find that you aren’t going to reap the harvest that you’d hoped for.
This card may also appear when you’re hoping to benefit from a situation without the hard work or dedication needed to succeed. It can also represent a lack of planning, or the desire to cut your losses and change direction.
See also: Check out alternate Tarot decks here.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – Love & Relationships (Upright)
In love and relationship spreads, the Seven of Pentacles is a gentle reminder that relationships take work. Honeymoon periods inevitably end, and you’re left going through day-to-day life without the excitement and passion you may have felt in the beginning.
This isn’t a bad card to get, it simply acknowledges that anything worth having is worth working for. If you’re willing to do this, you can enjoy a loving, harmonious relationship full of abundance.
This card can also represent working with your partner to create a legacy. You may be putting together a college fund or inheritance for whatever children you might have, or otherwise working toward a monetary goal.
If you’re single, then this card represents reflection and patience. You may be looking back on your metaphorical “harvests” from past relationships and deciding what you want in the future. It’s time to determine where you want to invest your time and energy.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – Love & Relationships (Reversed)
When the Seven of Pentacles appears reversed in a love and relationship reading, its meaning is fairly similar to the upright orientation. It’s still a reminder that relationships take work and time, but cast in a more negative light.
You may be about to enter a difficult time that will test your ability and desire to be patient and caring toward your partner. You might even find yourself questioning whether or not this relationship is something you want to work on at all.
If you’re single, you may be entering a phase where you’re less focused on finding a partner. Your job and financial needs could take precedence right now, and you might not have the time or energy to devote to a relationship. It’s up to you to determine your priorities.
See also: Check out the current top 100 Best-Selling Tarot books in the USA here.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – As Feelings (Upright)
The Seven of Pentacles upright is all about patience. This person cares about you and is willing to nurture a relationship with you, but they need be met with patience and consistency.
They’re willing to commit as long as you’re okay with taking things slow. Express your feelings to them, but be prepared to move forward at their pace.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – As Feelings (Reversed)
Reversed, the Seven of Pentacles becomes frustration. This person is tired of waiting and needs to see some sign of life. They want things to progress more quickly, even if that’s not a pace that you’re comfortable with.
It might be a good idea to take a minute and see if you’re really in alignment with each other. Don’t jump into anything that you’re not ready for yet just because they want you to.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – As Reconciliation (Upright)
The Seven of Pentacles is a good card for reconnecting. It shows patience and maturity on your ex’s part. They’re willing to put the work in for the future they want and know that good things come to those who wait.
If you’re onboard with this, and are okay with putting in the slow, consistent effort to rebuild your relationship, a reconciliation is possible.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – As Reconciliation (Reversed)
On the other hand, the Seven of Pentacles reversed isn’t a great sign for a reconciliation. You and your ex likely had very different expectations from your relationship, and they weren’t getting theirs met.
They either want to get back together with you right away without having to put in any work to fix your past relationship problems or have decided that a reconciliation isn’t worth the effort.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Upright)
When it comes to business and careers, the Seven of Pentacles is a great card to see. You’ve sunk a lot of time and effort into your job, and it’s starting to pay off. You’re entering the phase right before the finish line, when it’s time to really knuckle down and push forward.
Take time to plan your next moves, and don’t forget — success comes on its own timeline. You can’t rush it.
Financially, this card can indicate that you’re nearing retirement, bonds are nearing maturity, or stocks are growing. You’re getting close to experiencing a period of prosperity, but don’t get impatient.
Seven of Pentacles Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Reversed)
If you see the Seven of Pentacles reversed in a career or business spread, it’s generally not a good sign.
It can be a warning that you’re sinking too much time, money, and effort into something that won’t pay off for you. You might be turning into a workaholic, and the stress on your mind, body, and personal relationships won’t be worth the paycheck you get at the end.
In other contexts, this card can indicate that a lack of focus, poor planning, or aimlessness won’t yield the results that you desire. You need to re-evaluate your relationship to your goals and figure out how to change course before things end badly.
In money readings, the Seven of Pentacles reversed may represent poor planning, impatience, or investments that are underperforming.
Seven of Pentacles: Yes or No?
The Seven of Pentacles is a very positive card. In a “Yes or No” reading, it’s a “Yes.” You may have approached your situation with patience, nurturing, and hard work, and can expect to reap the outcome you desire as a result.
If the Seven of Pentacles is reversed, the answer is most likely a “No” instead. You might not have planned or invested your energy well, and, as a result, things aren’t turning out the way you hoped.
The Seven of Pentacles is only three cards away from the ultimate culmination of the suit, the Ten of Pentacles. It’s a sign that you’re entering the home stretch, and a reminder to keep pushing forward.
If you can keep up your momentum and continue planning carefully and working hard toward your goals, you will be able to manifest your desires.
See also: For more Tarot Card Meanings, check out our complete list of free Tarot Card Meanings here.
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