Six of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No

By The Mystica Editorial Team · Checked against our editorial standards · Updated 20 September 2026 · 6 min read

Generosity flows both ways today. Give where you can, and accept help without guilt.

Arcana	Minor Arcana, suit of Pentacles
Element	Earth
Number	6
Astrology	Moon in Taurus
Golden Dawn title	Lord of Material Success
Yes or no	Yes
Upright	generosity, giving and receiving, fairness, support
Reversed	strings attached, imbalance, one-sided giving

Pamela Colman Smith · Rider–Waite–Smith (1909)

Six of Pentacles symbolism

A merchant in a red cloak holds a set of balanced scales in one hand while dropping coins into the open hand of a kneeling beggar. A second figure kneels nearby, waiting. Six pentacles float above them. The scales show that the giving is measured and deliberate.

The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.

Upright meaning

• generosity
• giving and receiving
• fairness
• support

The Six of Pentacles is generosity, fairness and the flow of giving and receiving. It can show you helping someone, or someone helping you, with money, time, knowledge or support.

The scales are the heart of the card: healthy generosity is balanced. It is neither martyrdom nor charity used to gain power. The card also reminds you that receiving gracefully is as important as giving.

Reversed meaning

• strings attached
• imbalance
• one-sided giving

Reversed, the Six of Pentacles shows strings attached, one-sided giving or debt that creates a power imbalance. Someone may be giving in order to control, or you may be giving more than you can afford.

Check whether exchanges in your life are fair, and say no to help that comes with conditions you cannot accept.

New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.

Six of Pentacles in love and relationships

Six of Pentacles as feelings

As feelings, the Six of Pentacles means someone feels generous and caring toward you and wants to support you.

Career and work

At work, it favours fair pay, mentorship, charity work, grants and support from those with more resources.

Money and finances

With money, it shows loans, gifts, donations or financial help. Make sure terms are clear.

Is Six of Pentacles a yes or no card?

Number, element and astrology

The Six of Pentacles belongs to the suit of Pentacles (also called Coins or Disks; Diamonds in playing-card terms), the earth suit that deals with money, work, the body, home and material security. In tarot numerology, 6 is the number of harmony, restoration and exchange. The Golden Dawn assigned this card to Moon in Taurus and gave it the title Lord of Material Success.

Six restores harmony, and material harmony is fair exchange. The Moon in Taurus, where it is exalted, brings a nurturing, generous tone. The Golden Dawn called it Material Success: the kind that can be shared.

Advice from Six of Pentacles

Give and receive in balance. Generosity works best when it is fair on both sides.

Example reading

This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.

Six of Pentacles in question readings

What Six of Pentacles says when it lands in a specific position. These are the interpretations our free readings by question show for this card.

• As their feelings (Does my ex still love me?): This person still cares and may want to give, whether support, time, or kindness. There is a sense of generosity, but also awareness of who gave more when you were together.
• As what they are not showing (Does he like me?): What they are not showing is whether they feel on equal footing with you. They may admire you from below or feel they have more to give, and that dynamic quietly shapes their approach.
• As the outcome in a reconciliation reading (Will he come back?): Things lean toward a fairer exchange. Reconnection is possible if both of you give and receive more equally, and at the very least, some kindness is likely to pass between you.
• As what is coming in love (Will I find love?): A caring, balanced connection is likely ahead, someone who gives as well as receives. Kindness, possibly from an unexpected person, may open the door to something meaningful. Let yourself receive it without guilt.
• As the outcome for work (Will I get the job?): The outcome leans favorable. Expect support, fair compensation, or a helping hand. Finances may improve through generosity, a bonus, or someone willing to invest in you. Accept it graciously and pay it forward.
• As advice (What should I do?): Be generous, but keep things fair. Give where it truly helps, receive with grace, and make sure neither pride nor guilt tips the balance too far in one direction. Fairness keeps everyone whole.
• Reversed in a love reading (Will we get back together?): Reversed, the balance is off. Generosity may come with strings attached, or one person may still be giving everything while the other takes. Reconnection built on debt or guilt leans unhealthy.

Pulled Six of Pentacles next to another card? See what they mean together with the tarot card combinations tool.

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