Six of Pentacles tarot card meaning

What the card shows

A merchant in a red cloak holds a pair of scales in one hand and drops coins into the open hand of a kneeling beggar with the other. A second beggar kneels beside them, waiting. Six coins float above. The giving is measured, and somebody is still waiting their turn.

Six of Pentacles upright

The Six of Pentacles is the card of giving and receiving. It describes generosity, fairness and the flow of resources between people. Upright, it can mean being in a position to help, or being on the receiving end of help. It asks for both to be done with dignity.

Keywords: generosity, giving and receiving, fairness, sharing

Six of Pentacles reversed

Reversed, the giving has a catch. It can describe help with strings attached, one-sided generosity, or debts that create resentment. It can also describe giving so much that you have nothing left for yourself. The card asks whether the exchange is fair, in both directions.

Keywords: strings attached, imbalance, debt

In love

A generous, balanced relationship where both give. The card favours mutual care. Reversed, it can describe one partner always giving, or love used as a bargaining chip.

At work

Fair pay, mentoring, sharing resources, charity work. The card favours fairness, and passing on what others once gave you. Reversed, it points at an uneven exchange, and suggests renegotiating.

When you are deciding

Ask whether each option is fair to everyone involved, including you. The Six of Pentacles favours generosity, as long as it does not leave you empty-handed.