Eight of Pentacles Meanings (Upright & Reversed)
Last Updated: October 29, 2022
The Eight of Pentacles is the eighth card in the suit of Pentacles (also known as the suit of coins, suit of disks, or suit of rings) and one of the fifty-six suit cards from the minor arcana. In divinatory tarot, the Suit of Pentacles represents the physical, material, financial and earthly aspects of our lives.
Divination practices such as cartomancy can help us make decisions, offer guidance, and help us tune into our intuition when we are at a crossroads in our lives. Understanding the meanings of each tarot card can help you sharpen your interpretative skills so you can get the most out of your readings.
In this article, we will discuss the meanings of the 8 of Pentacles in various tarot reading contexts as well as the different symbols and nuances that can be found within this card.
Table of content
- Traditional depiction
- Key correspondences
- The upright Eight of Pentacles meaning
- Upright meaning for love
- Upright meaning for career
- Upright meaning for health
- The Eight of Pentacles as feelings
- The Eight of Pentacles as a person
- The Eight of Pentacles as advice
- The Eight of Pentacles Zodiac sign
- Is the Eight of Pentacles a yes or no card?
- The reversed Eight of Pentacles meaning
- Reverse meaning for love
- Reverse meaning for career
- Reverse meaning for health
Pictorial Symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck
The artworks from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck contain deeper esoteric meanings that tarotists love to decipher. The 8 of Pentacles is fairly simple in its imagery. A person wearing a black worker’s apron is sitting on a wooden bench wielding a hammer and chisel, carving a pentacle into a gold coin or shield.
The one the person is working on is the eighth in this project, the first five hanging on a wooden stake or tree and the other two sitting at the person’s feet.
There is a town at a distance in the background, but otherwise, the background is simply white. The focus of the card is on the work being put in by the person chiselling the pentacles.
The lack of additional details in the background illustrates the importance of focusing on the work at hand and letting distractions fall away. The display of the first five pentacles represents displaying your hard work and accomplishments.
The Eight of Pentacles key correspondences
Upright keywords | Diligence, Knowledge, Detail, Hard Work |
Reversed keywords | Hyperfocus, Isolation, Overworking |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | 8 |
| Element | Earth |
Ruling Planet | Mercury |
| Astrological Sign | Virgo |
What does the upright Eight of Pentacles mean in the Tarot?
Depending on the spread you’re doing or the way you’re reading your cards, the 8 of Pentacles can mean several different, interrelated things. It can mean being diligent, working hard, or becoming completely absorbed in a project.
It can mean dedication, carefulness, or being methodical. It can also mean learning a new skill or increasing your expertise, honing your craft. So in what different contexts might the meaning of this card shift?
When pulled in the upright position, The Eight of Coins is linked with diligence, knowledge, detail, and hard work.
What does the upright Eight of Pentacles mean in a love reading?
It’s not the sexiest or most romantic thing to think about, but let’s be honest here: relationships require work. So, if you see the 8 of Pentacles upright in a love reading, that means you’re going to have to put in some effort, do something for your partner, or pay more attention to your relationship.
Concentrate on the end goal of what you both want to accomplish together – what would make your love more successful for each other? The attention to detail is perfect for Virgo ruled 8 of Pentacles, so get together and dedicate time to prioritizing beneficial goal actions.
What does the upright Eight of Pentacles mean in a career reading?
This is the area where the 8 of Pentacles really shines because the focus is on work. If this card turns up in the upright position in a career reading, it can mean you’re going to be working a lot, or you’re going to be learning something new in your role, possibly even expanding your responsibilities.
What does the upright Eight of Pentacles mean in a health reading?
In the context of health, the 8 of Pentacles may mean that you need to pay attention to a specific area of your health or that you might learn something new about your health soon. It can also mean that you need to do some more research on the health-related topic you’re asking about.
If you are recently recovering, this card acknowledges the hard work of healing and suggests an easier time to come.
The Eight of Pentacles as feelings/emotions
If you’re asking the tarot how someone feels about you, pulling the 8 of Pentacles means they want to get to know you better or collaborate more with you. They see you as creative or hard working and want to share that with you.
They make others feel like they should put in the effort to overcome any limitations that have been blocking us to date.
The Eight of Pentacles as a person
As a personality archetype, the 8 of Pentacles represents someone who works very hard at everything they do. When this person gets to work on a task, the rest of the world falls away and they work until they’re satisfied with the result. They are detail-oriented, driven, and have a thirst for knowledge.
The Eight of Pentacles as advice
If you are asking the tarot for advice regarding a specific situation in your life, pulling the 8 of Pentacles means you might need to take a closer look at the situation in question or seek out additional information.
Do your research and due diligence and take your time. Anything you work on, whether it’s needing a solution or whether it needs some vision, this card shows you can accomplish it.
What is the zodiac or astrological sign associated with the Eight of Pentacles?
The Zodiac Sign most associated with the 8 of Pentacles is Virgo. Virgos are known to be extremely dedicated and have an eye for details. They can even be controlling, obsessive, or too focused at times, which this card can certainly represent in both the upright and reversed positions.
Is the Eight of Pentacles a yes or no card?
The 8 of Pentacles is a generally positive card, and can certainly be seen as a ‘Yes’ card.
Below are some of my interpretations based on different types of questions:
Question: Will I get the job?
Card Interpretation: This card is all about work, so if you’re looking for a job, the 8 of Pentacles is a good sign you’re going to get it! If you currently have a job and are looking to move up, the 8 of Pentacles says if you showcase your skills, that promotion will likely come your way.
Question: Is this new person in my life good for me?
Card Interpretation: This person may push you in ways you’re not used to, but overall they can be a very good influence on you to keep your eyes on the prize.
Question: Will I achieve my current goals?
Card Interpretation: You’re going to have to work for it, but as long as you’re willing to do that, you should achieve your goals without issue.
Question: Should I make that investment?
Card Interpretation: If it’s an investment in yourself and your future, the answer is a resounding “absolutely!”
Question: Should I start my own business?
Card Interpretation: You have the ability to get things done and do them well, so if starting your own business is something you really want, this card says “go for it!”
What does the reversed Eight of Pentacles mean in the Tarot?
In a reversed position, the 8 of Pentacles takes all of the hardworking associations and takes them to an unhealthy extreme. It can mean overworking or being a workaholic, being nitpicky or obsessive, or even controlling. It reminds you to scale things back and bring some balance back to your life.
When pulled in the reversed position, The Eight of Coins is linked with hyperfocus, isolation, and overworking.
What does the reversed Eight of Pentacles mean in a love reading?
The inverted 8 of Pentacles definitely advises you to work on your relationship, but in a reversed position it can mean if you don’t start putting in some effort, you’re going to lose that relationship. It can also mean you need to take a step back and re-evaluate the balance of work being put in by both parties. Are you putting in way more effort than they are? It might be time to scale back.
What does the inverted Eight of Pentacles mean in a career reading?
When it comes to career, the 8 of Pentacles upside down is telling you either to stop overworking yourself or to buckle down and stop slacking off. You’ll probably know which, but if you need more clarification, take a look at the other cards accompanying the 8 of Pentacles to see which way you need to go.
What does the upside-down Eight of Pentacles mean in a health reading?
The 8 of Pentacles reversed could be telling you a few things with regard to your health. One is that you’re overdoing it in one or more areas of your life. Another possibility is that you need to take a closer look at your health and stop avoiding it.
The 8 of Pentacles is a generally positive card with some really wonderful associations, especially regarding work and career. Context clues are always important and looking to the other cards that come up in your readings can help you understand this one even further.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 8 of Pentacles tarot card is a powerful symbol of diligence, knowledge, detail, and hard work. When this card appears in your reading, it is often a sign that you are on the right track and that your hard work is about to pay off. However, the 8 of Pentacles can also be a reminder to take a break from time to time, as too much focus on work can lead to burnout.
Despite its association with mysticism and occultism, the tarot has grown to become much more than a simple “fortune-telling” tool. For many tarot practitioners, it is a complex system made of symbolic imagery and psychological considerations (Jungian archetypes for example) that can be used for self-exploration, meditation, and personal transformation.
The 56 lesser arcana cards relate to the day-to-day events of our lives, the more mundane aspects of our existence. Even though that part of the tarot is about the “smaller picture”, it symbolizes the constant choices we make that shape our lives, our characters, and ultimately our destinies.
Have you ever had a reading where the Eight Of Pentacles appeared? What was the outcome? What does that card mean to you personally? How do you interpret this card in your own tarot practice?
Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments below. Additionally, If you want to know more about the different tarot cards, feel free to check out my complete list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings.
Written by Jamie Kieltyka
Jamie is an eclectic witch, spiritual mentor, and tarot reader who is passionate about educating others and dedicated to helping people trust themselves. Born in Chicago, she has lived on both coasts and has worked in Education for 8 years. As a child she recognized the magic in everything, especially writing. She has been on a dedicated spiritual journey for five years and has learned so much that she wants to share. In her spare time, she likes to read, write, and get out to enjoy the beauty of nature. You can often find her baking cookies and dancing/singing to 90s music. A homebody at heart, she loves anything to do with making the home more magical. She currently resides in central California with her handsome ginger tabby, Tabasco.
Learn more about the Suit of Pentacles
This page is part of our comprehensive list of the 56 minor arcana tarot cards & their meanings. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.