MINOR ARCANA
Two of Pentacles Tarot Meanings
The Two of Pentacles represent balance and harmony within our material and external world. This can refer to anything from making sure our bodies are fit and healthy, balancing our work life and our home life, time management, and more.
With the Two of Pentacles, we are asked to review our priorities and reflect on those things that matter most to us in our lives.
When we feel like something is lacking, the Two of Pentacles pops up to remind us to see where our focus is needed and where we’ve been focusing on too much. It can also be a sign to be more flexible with what life throws our way, as worrying about what we have no control over has become one of the most common causes of suffering.
Two of Pentacles Upright Meanings
In the upright position, the Two of Pentacles is all about finding balance and harmony between the things in daily life that demand our time and attention. Some of the key meanings of the Two of Pentacles are:
Time management
External balance
Prioritising
Adaptability
Flexibility
There is a feeling of trying to spin a lot of plates at the same time with the Two of Pentacles and we can see that a bit in the imagery used on the Rider Waite tarot deck. The use of the infinity symbol on the card can be read as our balancing skills being infinite, we will always have to balance something with something else. That’s just the nature of life.
Two of Pentacles Reversed Meanings
In the reversed position, the Two of Pentacles sees us losing that balance from the upright position and allowing things to completely overwhelm us. Some of the main reversed meanings of the Two of Pentacles are:
Disorganisation
Imbalance
Overwhelm
Loss
Bad decisions
When we take on too much, we can often be faced with the energy we find in the Two of Pentacles reversed. When our focus is stretched too thinly, we can’t make the best of anything, it’s much more efficient to focus on one or two things at once so you can do them well, instead of doing many different things poorly.
Reading Two of Pentacles in a Tarot Spread
A solid starting point, when faced with the Two of Pentacles, is to look at where there could be an imbalance within the material world. Is there anything being focused on that could be drawing that focus away from something that should be taking a higher priority?
If the Two of Pentacles appears in an external position, such as the environment position in a Celt Cross spread, then it may be that there are external energies that are causing the disharmony and the quarant needs to figure out how to restore balance in-despite of this energy. It’s probably something out of their control and so they need to take ownership of what is already in their control.
Two of Pentacles as An Invitation
When the Two of Pentacles appears as an invitation, we’re invited to take a critical look at how we’re spending our time and where we are putting our focus.
For Two of Pentacles, this invitation could be the following:
An invitation to reassess your time management
An invitation to switch up your priorities and make sure you are prioritising the right things
An invitation to adapt to things that are out of your control
An invitation to reorganise your daily routine and schedule to create a healthier balance
Two of Pentacles as Sage Advice
If the Two of Pentacles appears to offer you some wise advice, then it’s most likely that you are in need of a reality check and to see things for what they really are, instead of what you want them to be.
Some advice Two of Pentacles may offer is:
Don’t take on so much that you can’t organise everything efficiently
If you feel overwhelmed, try and find a way to ground yourself and find some clarity so you can rethink how you approach all of your tasks or responsibilities
Don’t rush into decisions that need more time, care and attention in order to come up with the best option
Two of Pentacles as a Lesson
When the Two of Pentacles appears to teach us some lessons, we will often have to learn more about our own boundaries, our own personal limitations and improving our patience.
Some lessons that Two of Pentacles may offer you are:
A lesson in time management and prioritisation
A lesson in balancing your career goals and life goals
A lesson in dealing with everything that life throws at you, both good and bad
A lesson in flexibility and knowing when to compromise and when to stand your ground
Two of Pentacles as a Redirection
If the Two of Pentacles appears to redirect you, it is so that you can feel more in control and be more present in your life. The Two of Pentacles always has our wellbeing in mind when it comes to us as guidance.
As a redirection, Two of Pentacles could symbolise a need to:
Change what you are focusing on and let go of the things that are holding you back
Better manage your time, rather than taking on more or letting go of tasks or responsibilities
Focus more on creating a balance within all areas of your life, instead of just one specific area
Remember that you will always have to balance something, so adapt to whatever life throws your way and take control of the things you know you have power over
Pentacles
The Pentacles are often seen as the suit that refers to money and wealth. Although those areas are included, they aren’t the only areas of life the Pentacles ask us to look towards.
The Pentacles or Coins as they can be known, ask us to focus on our material and physical world. To look towards the things that provide our very core human needs. These include health, well-being, home, family, finances, work and even hobbies and past-times. They require us to make these things a priority and look at how we can improve or alter them when needed.
Earth
The Pentacles are the element of earth, they have the same properties as we would unconsciously give to the idea of earth and grounding. With this we can apply meanings of fertility, growth, expansion and building to the Pentacles.
The biggest thing earth teaches us within the Pentacles, is the need for patience, resilience and nurturing. We can look to nature in order to see the very core energy of the Pentacles and apply what we witness to the meanings of the Pentacles cards.
Twos
Within numerology each number has its own set of properties. The number two is one of balance, harmony and duality. When we apply this to the Tarot cards, we look to the suit that the number is in and join the properties of the number to the properties of the Tarot suit.
For example, the Two of Pentacles is about balance within the material world. This could be work life balance, it could be balancing rest with a strict workout routine. With the twos we are trying to create harmony and that can be a tricky balance to strike, especially when dealing with the realm of reality.
