Five of Pentacles and Six of Pentacles Tarot Meaning

What they mean together

In the Five of Pentacles two people are out in the cold and snow, and in the Six of Pentacles someone hands out coins while holding a set of scales. Together they're the help that shows up when it's needed most. The Six answers the need of the Five, but only if the person who's struggling lets themselves be seen and asks. It's a real way out of a bad stretch, though it's worth making sure the help doesn't come with strings attached.

In love

A rough patch where someone holds you up, or where you hold up your partner. Make sure the support goes both ways and isn't always coming from the same side.

Career and money

A grant, a loan, benefits that finally come through or someone recommending you for a position. If you're in a bind, now is the time to get your paperwork moving and ask about the assistance you're entitled to.

An example

Let's say you've lost your job, rent is due at the end of the month and you ask how you're going to get through this. The Five of Pentacles and the Six of Pentacles come up. It's a hard moment and the spread doesn't hide it, but the second card says help exists and it's close. It could be unemployment benefits you haven't applied for, a relative willing to lend you money or a former coworker who knows about an opening. What the reading asks is that you set the embarrassment aside and tell people.

By position in the spread

In the past

You went through a tight period and someone gave you a hand at just the right moment. Maybe you still feel you owe them, or you'd like to pay it forward.

In the present

You're in a rough patch, but you're not as alone as you think. There are resources and people within reach if you decide to ask.

In the future

The worst will pass and support will arrive, financial or practical, that gives you some breathing room. In time it'll be your turn to help someone who's where you are now.

If they come up reversed

If the Five of Pentacles comes up reversed, the hard stretch is starting to fall behind you and things slowly improve. With the Six of Pentacles reversed, be careful with the help you accept: a loan with predatory interest or a favor that costs you dearly later. With both upside down, the difficulty drags on because of pride or badly managed debt, and the first step is getting your finances in order.

Write today to someone who can help you and tell them exactly what you need.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Five of Pentacles and Six of Pentacles together a good or bad sign?

More good than bad. The Five acknowledges a hard time, but the Six brings the solution in the form of help, so things are trending toward getting better.

Will I get back the money I lent?

The Six of Pentacles is about fair exchange and favors the money coming back, although the Five suggests the other person is struggling. Most likely you'll get it back, but slowly and with a payment plan.

To read them separately, here is the meaning of Five of Pentacles and of Six of Pentacles. And if they came up in a three card spread, look at the position each one landed in too.

Other combinations with these cards

Drew a different pair? Look it up in the combination finder.