← Tarot
VI

Six of Pentacles

Minor Arcana 🜃 Pentacles 🜃 Earth ☽ Moon Taurus

Upright

GenerosityCharityGiving ReceivingFairnessSharingBalance Of Resources

Generosity in action—giving, receiving, or both. Resources shared fairly. But notice the power dynamic: giving can be generous or controlling, receiving can be grateful or degrading. The balance matters.

Reversed

DebtStrings AttachedPower ImbalanceSelfishnessUnfair Distribution

Generosity with strings attached, unfair distribution, or debt creating power imbalance. The scales tip unfairly. Giving becomes control, receiving becomes obligation.

Meanings in layers

Spiritual

Upright

Spiritual generosity. Grace given and received. Fair karmic balance.

Reversed

Spiritual debt. Grace withheld or used for control. Karmic imbalance.

Practical

Upright

Financial generosity. Charity. Fair deals. Giving or receiving help.

Reversed

Debt. Strings attached. Unfair distribution. Selfish giving or receiving.

In life areas

Love

Upright

Generous in love. Giving and receiving balanced in relationship. Fair partnership.

Reversed

Love with strings. Relationship power imbalance. One gives more than receives.

Career

Upright

Professional generosity. Fair work compensation. Giving or receiving career help.

Reversed

Work debt. Professional strings attached. Unfair work distribution.

Finances

Upright

Financial generosity. Fair monetary exchange. Charity or receiving help.

Reversed

Financial debt. Money with strings. Unfair economic distribution.

Health

Upright

Generous with self-care. Receiving health support. Fair energy exchange.

Reversed

Health debt. Energy imbalance. Giving more than body receives.

Visual symbolism

Well-dressed merchant holds scales while giving coins to kneeling figures, six pentacles balanced above

Who's really in charge here? The giver holds power. The scales suggest fairness—but also judgment about who deserves what.

Merchant FigureScalesKneeling FiguresSix PentaclesGiving CoinsMeasuring
Scales
Fair distribution, measuring generosity, balanced giving and receiving
Merchant
One who has, in position to give or withhold
Kneeling Figures
Those who receive, dependent position, need

Psychological

Archetype
The Giver, The Receiver, The Distributor
Shadow
Using Generosity To Control, Receiving As Degradation, Unfair Distribution

Correspondences

Element
Earth
Planet
Moon
Zodiac
Taurus
Timing
May 1 To May 10

Crystals

Jade, Green Aventurine, Citrine, Moonstone

Herbs

Basil, Mint, Chamomile, Lemon Balm

Shadow work

Six of Pentacles asks: Do I use giving to feel powerful? Can I receive without feeling diminished? What strings do I attach to my generosity? Is my sense of fairness actually fair?

Magical uses

Generosity Magic, Fair Exchange, Charity Blessing, Moon Work, Balance Rituals, Debt Clearing

Affirmation

"I give without strings. I receive without shame. My exchanges are fair."

Pairs with

Justice, Temperance, The Empress

Contrasts with

Five Of Pentacles, Four Of Pentacles, The Devil