78 Cards: Six of Coins

Next up in our 78 cards series we are exploring the Six of Pentacles. Each look at the cards covers basic meaning, upright and reversed keywords - even advice from the card archetype itself. Keep reading to explore the Six of Coins.

A man gives out money to those that are begging. He carries a scale in his left hand. The scale should represent fairness, but when we look a little closer we can see that the scale is slightly tipped to one side. The man on the right, who is not receiving any coins looks more in need. His cloak is torn and patched and he doesn’t have a hat. The charitable man is giving the man with a hat four gold coins, while the man with the torn cloak is begging. Since this is the Six of Pentacles, we must assume that the man with the torn cloak will receive the other two coins. After all, there are two pentacles above the hatless man and three above the other man.
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The pentacles are situated above each person’s head. This is not a balanced card! There are three pentacles above the man who is receiving and only two pentacles above the head of the other beggar. There is one coin above the man who is giving. This suggests that the giver is giving to the man on the left because he feels that he will make money off the more economically sound man. It suggests an investment.

The Six of Pentacles card is in the guise of charity, for really the man is not as charitable as he seems. Is this the act of true generosity? Doubtful because it is another stage card. So even though the man seems generous, he is self serving. He doesn’t give because he cares, he gives because he views it as a business transaction. Or he gives money so that other people can see his “generous” act. This is the type of person who gives money and then announces at a dinner party how “magnanimous” they are. 

Six of Pentacles Upright - Rider Waite Tarot

The Six of Pentacles means is that you are in a position where you have a good relationship with your income. Like the main figure in the card, the amount of money that you bring in and your expenses are balanced well, and you are fortunate enough to not have any stress. You are also grateful for all that you own and can happily share your wealth with others. As you can tell from the imagery in the card, the Six of Pentacles can be about charity. You can either be the man giving away money to the needy, or a beggar gratefully receiving what you need from wealthy donor.

If the card is showing that you are the giver, you have built up wealth, and you are now able to help others with financial assistance. You may have lived long enough in the darkness of the Five of Pentacles to be able to see the light. You are thinking about giving to charities or helping someone who could need your support and was in the same position you were before. The Six of Pentacles does not have to be about material gifts or money, it can also mean your time and presence.

If the card is showing you are one of the beggars, you could be receiving someone else’s charity. This could help you recover, so take the help - you will be able to repay the kindness in the future. You may also be able to find ways of becoming self-sufficient in the future. Despite this situation, you should be mindful that you should not become desperate or submissive during this time.

Six of Pentacles Reversed - Gilded Tarot

The Six of Pentacles reversed can suggest that charity can be one-way. If you have loaned someone money, you should not be expecting your money to be paid back, or your favor to be returned in the future. You should be cautious about the people you are lending money to, especially if you are not financially stable. You could also have problems with spending and giving away more than you can really afford.

The Six of Pentacles reversed can also warn you about the debts that you have. This could mean that you are in over your head and it is going to come back and be a major problem in the future. You should also be careful of entering business endeavors during this time because you could end up with a huge loss, instead of getting a return on your investment.

The last Six of Pentacles reversal meaning is that there is selfishness related to giving and charity. This may mean that you are willing to give others in a way that is not to benefit them, but to benefit yourself. You should be cautious that you are not just being charitable to prove you are giving or generous to others. The source of generosity should be selfless, not selfish.

Advice: 

Are there those around you who need your help, monetary or otherwise? Perhaps now is the time to give back to family or community, or simply show kindness and generosity to others. Are you in need of help but are too proud to take it, even from those who are willing to give it freely. Remember that giving is a cycle, and if you have to take help now you can always pass it on to someone else when things get better. Accepting help during tough times doesn't make you any less. 

Give this a try:

You don’t have to wait for someone to give you help to practice receiving. Whenever you need help, just ask for it. Don’t worry about being rejected. Give others an opportunity to help you. If they aren’t the one, move on to the next. There are already a lot of gifts from the universe which you might be oblivious to. The sunlight that keeps you warm, the trees that keep you cool and give you shade, the roof over your head, the air that you breathe in, the electricity, and so on. Without any person giving you anything, you can still receive the beauty of the world by being aware of it. It could also be your love for yourself or something you receive from paying. For example, you are grateful for the bus driver for helping you get to your destination, the hairdresser who cuts your hair, or when you give yourself a break when you are tired. Start a gratitude jar or journal to help you to bring yourself into a better state of awareness.

Journaling Questions:

* Where can you offer assistance to those around you?
​* What sort of movement do you wish to be a part of?