Six of Pentacles: Generosity or Power Imbalance?
Quick Answer: The Six of Pentacles typically represents generosity, giving and receiving, and the balance of resources. It often appears when issues of charity, fairness, or material exchange are relevant. However, its specific meaning depends on your question, the card's position in the spread, and surrounding cards.
What this guide does not do: This guide does not predict specific events or label cards as good or bad. Instead, it focuses on symbolic patterns and personal reflection to help you understand the guidance your reading offers.
Six of Pentacles at a Glance (Summary)
- Core Meaning: Generosity, charity, giving, receiving, balance
- Love: Balanced give-and-take, supporting each other, addressing power dynamics
- Career: Recognition for work, receiving help, mentorship opportunities
- Yes or No: Maybe â Leans yes if you're in a position to give or receive fairly
- Reversed: Imbalanced exchanges, debt, strings attached, power imbalances
Card at a Glance
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Arcana | Minor |
| Number | 6 (harmony, balance, equilibrium after conflict) |
| Element | Earth |
| Astrology | Moon in Taurus (nurturing stability, material comfort) |
| Keywords (Upright) | Generosity, charity, sharing, fairness, balance |
| Keywords (Reversed) | Debt, strings attached, inequality, one-sided giving |
| Yes/No | Maybe â Leans yes if the exchange is fair and balanced |
| Timing | Late spring (varies by tradition) |
Symbolism & Imagery
The Six of Pentacles typically depicts a wealthy merchant or benefactor holding scales in one hand while distributing coins to two beggars kneeling before him. This scene captures the dynamic tension between giver and receiver, abundance and need.
Key Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Scales | Justice, balance, fair measurement of worth and need |
| Coins being given | Generosity, charity, material support |
| Kneeling figures | Humility, receiving position, acknowledgment of need |
| Merchant's robes | Wealth, established position, ability to give |
| Upright posture | Confidence, authority, power position |
Colors
| Color | Significance |
|---|---|
| Purple/Red | Wealth, authority, earthly power |
| Gold | Material resources, value, prosperity |
Background & Setting
The scene commonly takes place in a public space, suggesting community involvement and visibility of the exchange. The merchant stands while the beggars kneel, creating a clear visual hierarchy. Yet the scales he holds introduce the question of fairnessâis this transaction truly balanced, or does it reinforce inequality?
Observation exercise: Before reading interpretations, spend 30 seconds looking at the card. Do you identify more with the giver or the receivers? Your instinctive identification often points to your reading's personal message.
How to Interpret Six of Pentacles in Your Reading
Before reading further, answer these questions to narrow down your interpretation:
Step 1: What Was Your Question About?
| Topic | Six of Pentacles speaks to... |
|---|---|
| Love/Relationships | The balance of giving and receiving support, emotional generosity, or power dynamics |
| Career/Work | Recognition of efforts, receiving help or resources, mentorship, or fair compensation |
| Finances/Material | Charitable giving, receiving assistance, loans, grants, or evaluating financial fairness |
| Personal Growth | Learning to receive graciously, practicing generosity, or examining your relationship with power |
| Decision/Choice | Whether to offer help, accept assistance, or assess the fairness of an arrangement |
Step 2: What Position Is This Card In?
| Position | Interpretation angle |
|---|---|
| Past | Previous generosity (given or received) that shaped current circumstances |
| Present | Current imbalances or opportunities for exchange requiring attention |
| Future | Potential for receiving support or being in a position to help others |
| Advice | Consider what you can give or where you might need to receive |
| Outcome | A situation may resolve through mutual support or fair exchange |
Step 3: What Cards Surround It?
| Nearby Cards | Modified meaning |
|---|---|
| Many Major Arcana | Material exchanges connected to significant life lessons or spiritual growth |
| Same suit (Pentacles) | Strong emphasis on material resources, work, or financial matters |
| Court cards | Specific people involved in giving/receiving dynamics |
| Opposing element (Swords/Wands) | Tension between material support and intellectual/creative needs |
Step 4: What's Your Gut Reaction?
| Initial feeling | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Immediate recognition | You may be currently experiencing this dynamic in your life |
| Confusion | The giving/receiving balance might be unclear or hidden |
| Resistance | Discomfort with dependency or power dynamics may need attention |
| Relief | Recognition that help is available or that your generosity matters |
Your combination of answers creates your unique interpretation. For example, Six of Pentacles in a "past" position for a career question with surrounding Swords cards might suggest previous mentorship that enabled your current intellectual work.
The general pattern: This card asks you to examine the fairness and balance of material, emotional, or energetic exchanges in your situation.
Six of Pentacles Upright Meaning
The Six of Pentacles upright often appears when resources are flowingâeither toward you or from you toward others. This card represents the moment when abundance meets need, creating an opportunity for exchange. Unlike the Ten of Pentacles' inherited wealth or the Nine of Pentacles' self-sufficiency, the Six emphasizes the relationship between those who have and those who need.
At its core, this card explores the complex dynamics of generosity. The merchant with scales suggests that giving is not random but measured. He considers worthiness, fairness, and balance. This can be beautifully compassionateâensuring resources reach those who truly need themâor it can reinforce power imbalances, where the giver maintains control through selective charity.
General Interpretation
The Six of Pentacles typically suggests you are either in a position to give or to receive. If giving, you may have resourcesâmaterial, emotional, or knowledge-basedâthat others need. If receiving, support may be available from unexpected sources. The scales remind us that this exchange should ideally be balanced, even if not immediately reciprocal.
This card can indicate mentorship, loans, grants, charitable donations, or simply helping a friend. It may also appear when someone is helping youâa boss recognizing your work, a friend offering support, or an institution providing resources.
The deeper question: Are you giving from genuine abundance or from a need to maintain power? Are you receiving with gratitude or with resentment at being in a dependent position?
This interpretation strengthens if:
- You're actively involved in charitable work or receiving aid
- Questions of fairness or equity are currently relevant
- You're navigating power dynamics in relationships or work
- Recent conversations have centered on who owes what to whom
Love & Relationships
In short: The Six of Pentacles in love readings often points to the balance of emotional or practical support within a relationship.
In relationships, this card asks whether the give-and-take is equitable. One partner might be providing more financial support, emotional labor, or practical help. The question is whether this imbalance is temporary and accepted by both, or whether it's creating resentment. Healthy relationships naturally flow through periods of imbalanceâone partner supports while the other recovers, then the dynamic shiftsâbut chronic one-sidedness can erode connection.
This card may also appear when one partner is helping the other through a difficult time, offering resources or support without expectation of immediate return. It can indicate generosity, compassion, and the willingness to stand by someone in need.
Single: You might meet someone through volunteering, charity work, or situations involving helping others. Alternatively, you may be evaluating whether you're giving too much in dating situations without receiving reciprocal interest.
In a relationship: Examine whether both partners feel the exchange is fair. This doesn't mean keeping score, but rather checking if both feel valued and supported. One partner may be contributing more financially while the other provides more emotional careâthe question is whether both feel this arrangement is equitable.
Seeking reconciliation: Reconciliation may be possible if both parties can acknowledge past imbalances and commit to fairer exchange moving forward.
Career & Work
In short: The Six of Pentacles in career contexts often signals recognition, compensation for efforts, or opportunities to mentor or be mentored.
This card frequently appears when your work is being recognized and rewarded. You might receive a bonus, a raise, or acknowledgment for contributions. It can also indicate receiving the resources or support you need to advanceâa mentor taking interest, a grant being approved, or a colleague offering assistance on a project.
Conversely, you might be in a position to help others advance. Mentoring junior colleagues, sharing knowledge, or advocating for someone's promotion all fall under this card's energy. The scales remind us that good mentorship creates balanced exchangeâthe mentor gains satisfaction and fresh perspectives while the mentee gains knowledge and opportunity.
Job seekers: Networking and asking for help may open doors. Someone may advocate for you or provide a crucial recommendation. Don't be afraid to accept assistance.
Employed: Your contributions are likely being noticed. If you've been feeling undervalued, recognition may be forthcoming. This is also a good time to offer help to colleagues.
Business owners: Consider charitable giving, fair compensation practices, or B-Corp models. Your business's relationship to community and equity is highlighted.
Finances & Material
Financially, the Six of Pentacles can indicate charitable giving or receiving financial assistance. You might donate to causes you care about, lend money to a friend, or receive a loan or grant. The scales emphasize the importance of clear termsâgenerosity is beautiful, but clarity about expectations prevents future resentment.
This card can also appear when evaluating the fairness of financial arrangements. Are you being paid fairly for your work? Is a loan agreement equitable? Are you contributing your fair share to household expenses?
Health & Wellbeing
In health readings, this card may suggest receiving care or support during illness or recovery. It can indicate accessing healthcare resources, receiving help with medical expenses, or benefiting from others' care. It might also suggest the importance of balancing giving care to others with caring for yourselfâmany caregivers deplete themselves trying to help others.
The card encourages both accepting help when needed and recognizing your own limits in helping others.
Spirituality
Spiritually, the Six of Pentacles explores the concept of spiritual economyâthe flow of energy, service, and grace. It may suggest volunteering, tithing, or engaging in service as a spiritual practice. It can also indicate receiving spiritual guidance or teaching from someone more experienced.
The card invites reflection on how you participate in community, how you share gifts and receive support, and whether your spiritual practice includes service to others.
Six of Pentacles Reversed Meaning
The Six of Pentacles reversed often indicates that the balance of exchange has tipped into dysfunction. The scales are no longer levelâsomeone is giving too much, someone is taking advantage, or strings are attached to what should be freely given.
Understanding Reversal
Key distinction: While upright emphasizes balanced generosity, reversed highlights the shadow side of giving and receivingâmanipulation, debt, inequality, and power plays.
Reversed cards can indicate:
- Blocked or internalized energy of fairness
- Delayed or withheld resources
- Need for introspection about your giving/receiving patterns
- Shadow aspects of charity and dependency requiring attention
General Interpretation
Reversed, this card commonly points to unfair exchanges. You might be giving far more than you receive, creating resentment and depletion. Alternatively, you might be receiving help but feeling controlled or indebted by strings attached to that assistance. The merchant's scales are brokenâmeasurement of fairness has failed.
This card can indicate financial manipulation, loans with predatory terms, "gifts" that come with expectations of repayment in loyalty or obedience, or situations where someone uses their resources to maintain power over others. It may also suggest refusing to receive help due to pride, or refusing to give due to miserliness.
The deeper question: Where in your life are exchanges fundamentally unfair? What would it take to restore balanceâor to walk away from an imbalanced situation?
This interpretation strengthens if:
- You feel chronically indebted to someone
- Generosity has been weaponized against you
- You're giving to gain approval rather than from genuine abundance
- Financial arrangements feel exploitative
Love & Relationships (Reversed)
In relationships, the reversed Six of Pentacles may indicate one partner is carrying the relationship while the other takes without reciprocating. This might be financialâone partner paying for everythingâor emotionalâone partner doing all the emotional labor, planning, and caretaking while the other remains passive.
It can also suggest "keeping score" to an unhealthy degree, where every action is tallied and weaponized in arguments. Or it might indicate someone using financial control as a means of manipulation within the relationship.
Career & Work (Reversed)
At work, this card reversed can signal undercompensation, exploitation, or taking advantage of others' labor. You might be working far more than you're paid for, or your employer might be extracting maximum value while providing minimum compensation or support. Alternatively, you might be in a mentorship that has become one-sided, where you're giving knowledge or time without appropriate recognition.
It can also indicate office politics where resources are distributed based on favoritism rather than merit, or situations where accepting help comes with uncomfortable expectations.
Finances & Material (Reversed)
Financially, the reversed Six of Pentacles warns of debt traps, predatory lending, or charity with strings attached. It can indicate financial dependency that limits freedom, or loans that seemed generous but came with hidden costs. It may also suggest miserlinessâhaving resources but refusing to share them appropriately, or using money to control others.
Six of Pentacles Card Combinations
How Six of Pentacles interacts with other cards:
With Major Arcana
| Combination | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Six of Pentacles + The Fool | Taking a leap of faith may require or provide unexpected financial support |
| Six of Pentacles + The Hierophant | Institutional or religious charity; traditional forms of giving and receiving |
| Six of Pentacles + Justice | Legal matters involving compensation, settlements, or equitable distribution |
| Six of Pentacles + The Devil | Bondage through debt; generosity used as manipulation or control |
| Six of Pentacles + The Star | Hope renewed through receiving help; spiritual dimensions of generosity |
With Same Suit
| Combination | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Six of Pentacles + Ace of Pentacles | New financial opportunity arising from or leading to charitable action |
| Six of Pentacles + King of Pentacles | Wealthy benefactor or mentor providing substantial material support |
Challenging Combinations
| Combination | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Six of Pentacles + Five of Pentacles | Poverty and charity; needing help but pride or circumstances making it difficult to receive |
| Six of Pentacles + Seven of Swords | Deception regarding resources; theft disguised as charity or charity as cover for theft |
Supportive Combinations
| Combination | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Six of Pentacles + Two of Cups | Mutual support in partnership; balanced emotional and material exchange |
| Six of Pentacles + Ten of Cups | Family or community coming together to support each other materially |
Working with Six of Pentacles
Reflection Questions
When this card appears, ask yourself:
- "Am I in a position to give or to receive right now? How does that feel?"
- "Are the exchanges in my lifeâmaterial, emotional, energeticâfundamentally fair?"
- "Do I give from abundance or from a need to control? Do I receive with grace or resentment?"
- "What would balanced exchange look like in this situation?"
- "What is my intuition telling me about this?"
Meditation Exercise
Find a comfortable position and visualize yourself holding a scale, like the merchant in the card. In one pan, place all that you giveâyour time, energy, money, care, knowledge. In the other pan, place all that you receiveâsupport, love, resources, opportunities, recognition.
Watch the scales. Do they balance? If not, which side is heavier? Sit with this image without judgment. Notice what emotions arise. Is the imbalance necessary and temporary, or chronic and harmful? What would need to change to bring the scales into equilibrium?
Finally, imagine the scales balancing. What does that feel like in your body? What practical step could you take to move toward that balance?
Journaling Prompts
- Describe a time when someone's generosity significantly helped you. How did it feel to receive that help?
- When do you find it hardest to receive? What would accepting help graciously look like?
- Is there a situation in your life where you're giving more than you're receiving? What prevents you from restoring balance?
When This Card Keeps Appearing
If the Six of Pentacles appears repeatedly in your readings, you're being asked to examine your patterns around giving and receiving. You may be learning important lessons about interdependence, fairness, or the appropriate use of resources and power. Pay attention to where exchanges in your life feel imbalanced, and consider what restoring equity would requireâwhether that means giving more, receiving more graciously, or walking away from fundamentally unfair situations.
Common Misinterpretations
"This card means I'll definitely receive money"
Reality: The Six of Pentacles suggests the possibility of resources flowing, but doesn't guarantee specific amounts or forms of material gain. It's more about the dynamics of exchange than prediction of windfalls.
"It's always better to be the giver than the receiver"
Reality: This card teaches that both giving and receiving are necessary parts of healthy exchange. Refusing to receive graciously can deprive others of the joy of giving and can indicate pride or fear of vulnerability.
"If reversed, someone is definitely taking advantage of me"
Reality: The reversed card suggests examining imbalances, but the specific dynamics depend on context. You might be the one giving with strings attached, or refusing to receive help you genuinely need.
"Reversed always means negative"
Reality: Reversed cards often indicate internalized energy, delays, or areas needing attentionânot inherently negative outcomes. Sometimes the reversal is pointing out where you're blocking your own ability to give or receive.
Six of Pentacles Yes or No
Short answer: Maybe â Leans yes if the situation involves fair exchange and balanced giving/receiving.
Upright: Moderate yes, especially if your question involves receiving help, recognition for work, or situations where resources are being shared equitably.
Reversed: Leans no, particularly if the situation involves unfair terms, debt with strings attached, or exchanges where power dynamics are unhealthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Six of Pentacles a good or bad card?
The Six of Pentacles is context-dependent. It tends to be positive when exchanges are fair and balanced, but can highlight uncomfortable power dynamics or dependency issues. The card itself is neutralâit describes dynamics of giving and receiving that can be healthy or harmful depending on execution.
What does Six of Pentacles mean for love?
In love readings, this card often points to the balance of support and care within a relationship. It asks whether both partners are giving and receiving in ways that feel equitable, or whether imbalances are creating resentment.
What does Six of Pentacles mean for career?
For career, the Six of Pentacles commonly indicates recognition, fair compensation, mentorship opportunities, or receiving resources needed to advance. It can also suggest being in a position to help or mentor others.
Does Six of Pentacles mean yes or no?
The Six of Pentacles leans toward "yes" in situations involving fair exchange, receiving support, or recognition of efforts. It's more cautious or negative when the question involves relationships or arrangements with power imbalances or unfair terms.
What should I do if I keep drawing Six of Pentacles?
Recurring appearances suggest you're working through lessons about giving, receiving, fairness, and material exchange. Pay attention to where resourcesâmaterial, emotional, or energeticâare flowing in your life, and whether those flows feel balanced and sustainable.
Disclaimer: Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and personal insight. It does not predict the future or replace professional advice. For health, legal, or financial matters, please consult qualified professionals.
Related Cards
Similar Energy
- Two of Pentacles - Both involve balance, though Two focuses on juggling resources while Six focuses on distributing them
- Justice - Both emphasize fairness and balanced exchange
Contrasting Energy
- Five of Pentacles - Poverty and exclusion versus charity and inclusion
- Nine of Pentacles - Self-sufficiency versus interdependence
Same Suit/Arcana
- Ace of Pentacles - New material opportunities that may lead to the giving/receiving dynamics of Six