As Published in CLAUDIA

The Five of Pentacles is an Arcana associated with hardship, loss, and a sense of devaluation. Under its influence, this is a time that calls for extra caution, as our actions may encounter limits, delays, or even setbacks. It is a week that demands care, prudence, and well-considered choices. Avoid being swept away by negative thoughts and act with awareness and discernment.

The number 5 arcana in the Tarot are associated with loss, difficulty, conflict, and failure — cards that, at first glance, may seem unpleasant, I won’t deny it. The Five of Pentacles, in particular, symbolizes adversity, scarcity, and trial. Although it is often seen as a bad omen, this arcana proposes a deeper reflection: in which areas of your life have you been acting from a consciousness of lack, rather than from the field of possibilities?

Poverty is not only a financial condition; above all, it is a deep and persistent mental state. Thoughts such as:

“How am I going to pay for this?”
“If I don’t give him more money for the hundredth time, will it be my fault if something bad happens?”
“If only I were lucky enough to win the lottery.”
“I simply don’t know how to deal with money.”
“When will I get out of these debts?”
“Why am I so useless?”
“Why don’t they value me?”

All of these are examples of a poverty consciousness. Even wealthy people can become trapped in this mental pattern, because the poverty of the Five of Pentacles has less to do with money itself and much more to do with self-esteem.

It is essential to recognize that a scarcity mindset works like a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you focus on lack, you end up attracting even more deprivation into your life. The more you worry about money and resources, the less you feel you have. This creates a vicious cycle that is hard to break.

Do you feel confident enough to set boundaries with others? Have you ever had the feeling that success is granted to everyone except you? Are you properly rewarded for the work you do? Do you value yourself and the professional services you offer?

In Ancient Greece, the goddess of poverty was called Penia. Like the wanderers of the Five of Pentacles, she went from house to house until she found someone without clear boundaries. Once welcomed in, it was difficult to make her leave, because she awakened guilt, obligation, and devaluation. She only left when the homeowner took back control.

The Five of Pentacles draws attention to people or circumstances that diminish your value, leading you to doubt yourself, accept less than you deserve, or remain in situations that reinforce a sense of scarcity.

Helping others and being of service must happen with limits. The ancient proverb attributed to Lao-Tzu — “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime” — clearly conveys this wisdom.

There is a force capable of dissolving the poverty mindset: self-esteem. Those who know their own worth leave no room for mental scarcity. People with solid self-esteem do not become targets for unscrupulous individuals — after all, manipulators act like predators, always seeking out the weakest link. That is why this is a moment to establish clear and firm boundaries.

Recognize your value and stop giving when you are already exhausted. Set limits with overly dependent people, learn to protect yourself, and direct your help only toward those who are also willing to help themselves. At the same time, seek out the best opportunities for yourself, remembering that taking care of yourself is essential to moving forward with balance.

Once the festivities are over, we are called to face reality: the calendar changes, but challenges remain. When the Five of Pentacles appears as the ruling card, it points to a period of instability, insecurity, and often a feeling of exclusion, making its presence particularly uncomfortable — even more so in the second week of the year, when expectations for fresh starts are still strong.

For many people, this manifests in concrete ways: year-end bills arrive, reflecting spending on gifts, celebrations, and trips that now demand balance. However, the sense of loss is not always material; still, because this is a card of the Pentacles suit, financial matters tend to take center stage, even when other challenges also arise. It is important to remember that this moment is temporary: it indicates a setback, not bankruptcy or a definitive loss.

Remember: going through difficulties does not define who you are, and you do not have to face them alone. This card suggests that it is time to allow closeness and help from friends or family — people who genuinely care about you and whom you would also support if the roles were reversed. True bonds are strengthened precisely in this way, in both good times and bad. The message also works in the opposite direction: if someone close to you is struggling, perhaps it is up to you to take the first step.

The Five of Pentacles can indicate the challenges of taking on maternal responsibilities alone. Single-parent families face intense and constant demands. As the saying goes, “Being a single mother is turning exhaustion into persistence and fear into courage.”

When some children or people require special care, the card points to weariness and ongoing worries, but it also invites the search for support, comfort, and possible paths to ease this burden.

Although no official data indicate an increase in separations specifically during the holiday period, peaks are observed in December. It is no coincidence that January is known as divorce month. And without a doubt, this can bring significant financial impact. Adapting to a new standard of living can be challenging, requiring more planning, organization, and conscious choices. This period calls for adjusting expectations, redefining habits, and strengthening emotionally, especially in the face of changes in routines and relationships — including friendships, as not everyone remains along the journey.

Each person has their own perception of what poverty or scarcity means. For this reason, the scene on the card can represent either severe deprivation or simply the need to tighten one’s belt. If you were used to always “having and obtaining,” any restriction will feel extreme. Cutting back on travel, giving up luxuries, moving to a smaller apartment, selling a car, or doing your own housework may be your definition of hard times. Without the possessions you were accustomed to, you may feel impoverished and stripped of your shine.

If you feel that you are “at rock bottom,” you may be associating happiness solely with money and possessions. The Five of Pentacles suggests that a deep spiritual transformation may be necessary, as well as an understanding that money is not everything — and certainly does not guarantee happiness. It is important to assess where the true sense of lack comes from. Looking beyond your immediate reality can help you understand what poverty truly is. Many people would consider themselves very lucky to have even a fraction of what you possess.

This card also acts as a health warning. It may indicate neglect of your body, extreme fatigue, inadequate nutrition, or lack of rest. There is also the possibility that you are directing a large portion of your energy toward caring for someone else.

The advice is clear: slow down, respect your limits, and prioritize self-care. Small changes in routine — such as more rest, attention to bodily signals, and seeking support — can make a big difference. After all, health is true wealth; without it, nothing holds up.

The Five of Pentacles can reflect a mental state — not necessarily objective reality — in which a person begins to place themselves in the role of victim of circumstances. In today’s world, collective discourse often fuels fear and a sense of scarcity, and it is important to ensure that this narrative does not settle in and dominate our psyche.

It is a card that puts life under examination and points to difficult but necessary lessons. Do not allow circumstances to defeat you; seek ways to rise again. Difficulties are temporary, and with effort, consistent work, and a shift in attitude, it is possible to move through the challenging moment and find solid ground once more. “It is through hardship that we become stronger, because it is there that we discover ourselves.”

Love

In relationships, the Five of Pentacles indicates a phase of insecurity or emotional distancing. In some cases, one partner pulls away, leading the other to feelings of rejection or abandonment — often through ghosting, when communication is abruptly cut off without explanation.

In solid relationships, this moment acts as a decisive test. It becomes necessary to evaluate and decide what needs to be transformed or left behind so that the relationship does not weaken. Dialogue is fundamental in this process.

For those who are single, the card speaks of emotional exhaustion and the need for withdrawal, preparing the ground for more authentic connections.

Work

In the professional sphere, the Five of Pentacles suggests a period of instability and adjustment, which may involve financial challenges or changes in professional status. The card points to the need for adaptation in the face of alterations in benefits, security, or recognition in the workplace.

This scenario can affect emotional well-being, but the card also invites a review of priorities and openness to new paths. In many cases, this moment serves as the necessary push to leave a space that no longer recognizes your value and seek another that offers more growth and satisfaction.

Finances

This is definitely not a time to make major investments. The Five of Pentacles points to a period requiring greater attention to finances, when money may be tighter, and the budget demands care, as some form of loss is possible. More than speaking of losses, this card highlights the importance of restraint, planning, and, above all, the humility to ask for help when necessary. Seeking support from trusted people or available resources is not a weakness — it is part of the process.

Finding Strength in Difficulty

This week, pay attention to the situations that arise and, above all, to how you react to them. While we cannot control external events, the way we process and deal with them is within our reach — even when it doesn’t feel like it.

There are moments when life confronts us with situations that prompt the question: “Why?” The meaning behind the challenge does not always reveal itself immediately, and we may feel as though we are constantly fighting forces beyond our control.

The Five of Pentacles brings instability — and that is always uncomfortable. But it is precisely during difficult periods that much of our growth takes place. Without struggle, there is no evolution. Even if we do not understand now why certain things happen, it is in the most uncomfortable moments that resilience and perseverance are born.

Throughout this week, remember to seek support when things feel hard and to trust that this phase will also pass. Any current discomfort is temporary, and the wisdom gained in this process is preparing you for the next chapter — a chapter in which you will be stronger than before.

Be gentle with yourself and do not diminish who you are. If you have experienced rejection or a mistake that led you into a difficult situation, forgive yourself and transform the experience into a learning opportunity. And if it becomes necessary to withdraw and pass through a time of solitude, remember: not every distancing is an ending — some are the beginning of a new cycle. Trust.

Have a wonderful week, and may there be much light!

Ana Cristina Paixão