The 8 of Pentacles: Upright & Reversed Readings

• The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes the principle of diligence and hard work, and how this effort and hard work affects other parts of your life.
• The upright Eight of Pentacles offers support and encouragement to anyone who has started a relationship, is dating someone long-term, or is single.
• The reversed Eight of Pentacles warns you to examine any commitments you or your new partner have that are weighing the relationship down.

8 of Pentacles Overview

The Eight of Pentacles revolves around the importance of hard work. The traditional Eight of Pentacles card features a man diligently engraving a pentacle (five-pointed star) symbol into a gold coin, along with 7 other coins he’s already carved. That type of focused, hardworking energy is exactly what this card represents—or, more specifically, how diligence, dedication, and hard work play into different aspects of your life. An upright Eight of Pentacles card can signify the potential benefits and growth that can come from this type of attitude, while a reversed card can point to potential pitfalls. Upright key traits: Competent, proficient, hardworking, diligent, knowledgable Reversed key traits: Unmotivated, uninspired, inactive, stagnant, average

8 of Pentacles in Love & Relationships

UprightWhen it comes to romance and relationships, think of the upright Eight of Pentacles as a pat on the back. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or are still looking for love, you’re on the right track. Here’s a closer look at what this card can signify, depending on your relationship status: In a new relationship: Chances are, your new partner really values their career and is putting in a lot of work to get to where they want to be. If needed, chat with your SO and figure out some ways they can balance their career aspirations with their new relationship. In an ongoing relationship: You and your partner have dedicated plenty of time, energy, and devotion to your relationship—good for you! Treat this card as a reminder to find a balance between your career and your love life, and to remember that patience and perseverance are key in all of life’s endeavors. If you’re single: That special connection you’re looking for might be woven into your career—so, don’t be afraid to let loose and have fun with your friends and coworkers during your off-time. The more you embrace the basic joys of both your personal and work life, the easier of a time you’ll have finding love.

ReversedA reversed Eight of Pentacles card invites you to take a closer look at the way your or your partner’s work is impacting the relationship overall. In some cases, this card might be nudging you to put a little more time and effort into communicating with your partner, or taking some time to examine the long-term efficacy of the relationship. Here’s a closer look: In a new relationship: Sparks are definitely flying between you and your partner, but the timing might not be great for a new relationship. You both seem to have some past projects or commitments that are tying you down; so, you and your partner might need to have some time to reflect and discuss the future of your relationship. In an ongoing relationship: Someone in your relationship (be it you or your partner) is struggling with something career-related, or you both aren’t investing the same amount of time and effort into one another. It could help if you sit down together to make sure that you’re both on the same page with your work-life balance. If you’re single: Take some time for self-reflection and examine the less comfortable parts of your life that you try to push away. This card also encourages you to work on being the best version of yourself, so you can be happy and fulfilled when you do find that special someone.

8 of Pentacles in Career

UprightThis card placement reveals that you’re in great shape career-wise—you’re hitting your stride on the job, you have a great work ethic, and you’re an inspiration to the people around you. If things do go wrong, you set aside time to reflect and learn from your mistakes so you can grow in the future. Overall, you’re in a great place. What to do next: Ever considered a remote career? With your work ethic and drive, you could launch a very successful career by working from home.

ReversedA reversed Eight of Pentacles card points to a career that’s a bit lackluster (and that’s putting it mildly). Sure, you get a steady paycheck—but you don’t feel particularly motivated to push yourself or advance to new heights. This card placement might also point to a stagnant career that continuously holds you back and doesn’t let you shine as brightly as you could. What to do next: Look at different job opportunities, even if they aren’t necessarily in your current field. There are tons of opportunities out there, and you deserve to be in a job that recognizes and utilizes your worth.

8 of Pentacles in Finances

UprightThe seeds you’ve planted in your career have grown fruitfully, and now it’s time to reap what you’ve sown—in other words, financial stability is in your future. This card placement isn’t saying that you’ll come into a random windfall of money; instead, you’ll make money because of all your hard work and efforts. What to do next: Practice great financial habits so you (and your bank account) can stay in great shape for years to come. Making a weekly budget, investing in a suitable portfolio, and practicing good saving habits are all excellent ways to stay financially sound.

ReversedThis card placement is a warning sign that your spending and investment habits could use a little improvement. Be wary of financial offers and schemes that sound a little too good to be true, and focus more on spending less money and building towards long-term financial stability. This card might also be a reminder to put 100% effort into all that you do, and to not cut corners in any of your projects or ventures. What to do next: Take a look at your recent spending and investment habits. Are your finances headed in a good direction, or are there areas where you can improve?

8 of Pentacles in Health

UprightWhether you’re lifting weights at the gym or going for a daily walk, the upright Eight of Pentacles is letting you know that your hard, diligent work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Keep up your efforts, and you’ll continue to feel better than you did before. What to do next: Continue prioritizing regular exercise and making healthy eating a big part of your life.

ReversedThe reversed Eight of Pentacles points to some aspect of your physical health that’s off-balance—this might involve working out and dieting too much, or not really caring about your physical health and wellbeing overall. When you see this placement, remind yourself that balance is key to a healthy mind and body, and working in extremes often does more harm than good. What to do next: Take a critical look at your typical eating habits and daily exercise routine. Are you forcing yourself to follow a strict diet, or pushing yourself a little too much during your workouts? On the other hand, are you paying little attention to your diet and fitness levels? A bit of self-reflection may help you to take a step back and examine your lifestyle a little more critically. Always talk to your doctor before trying any extreme type of diet. A medical professional like a dietician can also help you come up with a healthy meal plan that doesn’t involve starving yourself or cutting out whole food groups.

8 of Pentacles in Spirituality

UprightThis card placement wants you to know that you’re on the right spiritual path and that all the steps you’ve taken are leading you in the right direction. The spiritual seeds you’ve planted for yourself are starting to blossom as you grow in spiritual understanding.

ReversedA reversed Eight of Pentacles suggests that you’re not super in-tune with the spiritual side of things. You might be putting a little too much focus on the material aspects of your life, rather than focusing on your sense of self. What to do next: Practice self-care by adding a few simple habits to your daily life. Exercising more, adopting a healthy diet, breathing deeply, meditating, practicing yoga, and getting a good night’s sleep can provide you with some much-needed spiritual nourishment.