The Eight of Pentacles comes after the choices and changes of the seven in the Suit of Pentacles. All of the eights in the Minor Arcana foretell of having one’s dedication and capacity for impartial judgement examined. There is contentment with one’s work and his financial outlook as is shown by the wall of pentacles and the man working pleasantly at his bench illustrated in the card, but the individual shown is more interested in working than admiring his profits and awards. This is merely a message that there is a need for dedication to one’s craft in order for him to truly enjoy his financial conquests. The eights show making up for uncertainty and bad or right choices from the preceding situation with the sevens. The Eight of Pentacles will then show the querent as he throws himself into his work while reflecting on what is he has done so far and what he can do in the future to secure his legacy. There is also a call to come to terms with one’s need for commitment and discipline, so there will be a legacy to leave when the time is right.
When more than one eight appears in a tarot spread, there is extra information available to the querent. Pairs of eights show that timing is everything and that it is important to focus on details regarding the querent’s business and talents while three of them imply IQ testing or, in this circumstance, a test of one’s talents and a review of his achievements up to this point. Having four eights in a spread indicates taking a very serious look at the road the querent has travelled and what one has done well and what one has failed at so far. The Eight of Pentacles may show that the querent is seriously evaluating his decision making and quality of leadership as far as finances are concerned.
The Eight of Pentacles in an Upright Position
The Eight of Pentacles shows industriousness and being committed to one’s craft after a time of reckless business sense and learning when shown in an upright position. There will be extra money from the attention that is being paid to the querent’s business and finances, and everyone is profiting in some way from the querent’s initiative and enthusiasm about his work. The querent may be able to save some money and can keep things running very comfortably because of the attention being paid to his business and talents and the profits he’s making. Those who are self-employed will have exponential growth when the Eight of Pentacles appears in their spread. There will be an advanced knowledge of skill with the extra practise that this card shows and there may be possibility for another venture available.
The meaning of all Minor Arcana cards can be modified by the cards that surround it. Court cards from the Minor Arcana (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) all represent people. They have corresponding physical characteristics as well as their own astrological correspondences. The Eight of Pentacles shows where the querent’s dedication will bring him new opportunities. Any court cards found here will help to show who is present to help the querent achieve his new goals and enjoy the rewards with him. There are more specific interpretations available based on the presence of Major Arcana cards like the Magician that shows a person who can make any venture work in the querent’s vicinity, or the Hanged Man, which advises against letting one’s success and fortune go to their heads.
The Eight of Pentacles in a Reversed Position
The reversed position of each card of the Minor Arcana is really as it states: an inversion of the card’s meaning. The reversal of the Eight of Pentacles suggests that the querent is sick of his career or artistic pursuits and is in need of a change in order to refresh his passion for enterprise. The querent may have reached the farthest he can go with his business in terms of learning or bettering himself, and he is still hungry for more. He may be bored or experience a bit of depression due to the lack of excitement. The querent may also find that he is stuck in an emotional rut form doing the same things every day for such a long period of time. He may find himself going through the motions, but completely absent. His spirit isn’t in it anymore, and he may need to find a new passion or risk losing his current business due to being complacent. They may need to see improvements in their position within the business or need to progress in some way to feel fulfilled, and if the business or artistic endeavour cannot offer this, it may be time to move on. The querent may have reached the ceiling in his current post and could be looking for additional professional fulfilment.
The reversed Eight of Pentacles heralds a time for bringing change to one’s position in a business. Perhaps the querent should look into specialization of his skills or find a way to bring new things into the business model that will allow for additional advancement. The querent is in need of some movement, or he will be unable to keep up with the same level of productivity as usual for him. There has to be a renewal of passion for his work, and however this is possible should be explored in order to avoid having to start over or switch to a new venture altogether. There is also a possibility that the hard work the querent is putting in is going unnoticed and the querent may feel unappreciated in his position due to a lack of praise or promotion.
Key Terms
- Hard work
- Dedication
- Industriousness
- Increase in profits
- Lack of recognition
- Investing time and energy
- Advancement
- Perfecting a skill
- Extra finances
- In need of a promotion
- Changing careers
- Boredom at work