(The above image is a copy of The Ten of Pentacles card in a standard Rider-Waite Tarot deck. The 6 symbols pointed out above are explained below.)
Card Description
The Ten of Pentacles marks the end of the numbered card in the Pentacle suit. The card illustrates and old man and his family behind ten pentacle sin the shape of the cabalistic Tree of Life. The old man has reached material fulfilment in his life and thus gained enlightenment. Instead of hoarding his possessions, he shares his abundance with his family.
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For more information about The Ten of Pentacles card, check out A. E. Waite’s description here.
Point 1 – PENTACLES
The ten pentacles are arranged to match the 10 stages of the cabbalistic Tree of Life. This furthers the connection that tarot has with mystical traditions in theistic religions. A reiteration of the Five of Pentacles, the arrangement here shows the harmonious connection material things can have with the divine.
Point 2 – OLD MAN
The old man is the woman in the Nine of Pentacles later in years. While the woman in that card celebrated her own work, the man in this card uses his work to celebrate others. Wise in year, the man blesses his children and grandchildren with his abundance.
Point 3 – FAMILY OF THREE
Most scholars assume that the family of three are related to the old man, however, it is unclear. Perhaps the family is unaware of the old man’s existence and don’t realize where their blessings come from.
Point 4 – DOGS
Two white dogs lap at the feet of the old man. On the surface, this shows a harmony between man and the animal kingdom, similar to the Nine of Pentacles. If we take things a little deeper, the dogs allude to the story of Odysseus, who disguised himself as an old man and who was only recognized by his dogs.
Point 5 – BRIDGE
Many things in the Ten of Pentacles illustrate a harmony of opposites, man and animal, nature and civilization, material and spiritual. This harmony can be represented in the bridge that runs across the top of the card.
Point 6 – GRAPES
Grapes traditionally represent a celebration of life and a maturity of spirit. As grapes age into a fine wine, the old man has aged into a fine follower of tarot. The fruit illustrates the road to enlightenment as a sweet journey.
Tarot Reading
Upright
An Upright Ten of Pentacles suggests the fulfillment of material needs. You have worked really hard for your goals and now have more than enough. This card encourages you to share your good fortune with the friends and family in your life. Material security may be nice but it can’t beat the emotion security found in close relationships.
Reverse
A Reverse Ten of Pentacles suggests that you are apprehensive about the traditional signs of success: wealth, marriage, kids, etc. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, a Reverse Ten of Pentacles importantly asks you to find out what you want in life. What are your ends goals? What would satisfy you? Whatever your answer may be, a Reverse Ten of Pentacles encourages you to pursue it and suggests that it will come true.
For more Tarot Card Meanings, check out our blog here.
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About the author: John Taylor is a content writer and freelancer through the company Upwork.com. You may view his freelancing profile here. He has a B. A. in English, with a specialty in technical writing, from Texas A&M University and a M. A. in English from the University of Glasgow. You may view his previous articles about Tarot here and his LinkedIn profile here.
