Pentacles and Love question

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Nov 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Moonbow*	09 Nov 2003
Does anyone else have this problem? If you are asked a question relating to Love/Romance and some or most of the cards come out as pentacles, how do you deal with this?

Dark_angel	09 Nov 2003
I actually did a relationship reading recently, and this happened - he was represented by the King of Pentacles, the path he should follow by the Queen of Pentacles, and the outcome by the Knave of Pentacles. The path he should not follow was a Cups card, I can't recall which one. This made a lot of sense to me, knowing the person in question. He is a very practical individual, with his own priorities in life (like "I'm doing this degree, so I can get a job that earns lots of money, so I can then do something more fun and still provide for my family"), and a lot of money. If he falls in love with someone, 9 times out of 10 it is because of who they really are, rather than a romanticised ideal. So, the King of Pentacles was a very appropriate card for him, and the route advised (Queen and Knave) reflected his personality and goals. Some people don't see romance and relationship as being as dreamlike as the Cups, and I think Pentacles reflect real life - they're probably my favourite suit! Bizarrely, I also did a reading for another friend (who the man referred to above REALLY likes) and her key card for relationships came up as the Queen of Pentacles! Oh, and the Queen of Pentacles is also my key card - it always falls out or gets dealt when I read for myself. So, as far as relationships and the Pentacles are concerned, I see them as showing the wider picture - the Cups focus more on the hopes and emotions involved in a situation, while the Pentacles, being ever-practical, show the reality. xxx

Moonbow*	09 Nov 2003
Thanks Dark Angel, this helps alot especially relating pentacles to reality, which I knew but I still seem to immediately think of wealth/possessions for pentacles. What would you do if it were a suit pentacle? Say the 2 or 6?

Moonbow*	09 Nov 2003
Tell me more about key cards... please. As you can tell I have many questions. Been taroting for just over a year but mainly for myself.

Inana	09 Nov 2003
This happened to me too in a reading lately. Guess it happens when the important thing or the problem in the relationship is in the way we interact with the other person, not with the emotions. So, I agree with Dark Angel. Its about how is the reality, how we act towards the other, what we share. There is another posibility: The focus of the people involved in the reading isnt in love but in work activities at that moment. No pentacles is like an irreal dream, but too much practicity and realism can kill all romaticism.

Thirteen	09 Nov 2003
Two of pentacles would indicate juggling--in love this could mean trying to satisfy your wants vs. being practical. Six of pentacles would be a practical answer to 2/pentacle problem of juggling--a generous give and take. Perhaps a gift from someone to help make it easier on the juggler. So, for example, a couple might want to marry, but not have the money and be working and juggling finances for the wedding and a home, etc. (2/Pentacles) Some relative agrees to help foot the wedding bill--(6/Pentacles)--problem solved. One other thing by the way: Pentacles can be read as physical. So in a question about love, it can also indicate physical attraction, lack thereof, and/or sex.

Dark_angel	09 Nov 2003
I'm not sure how other people use key cards, but I sometimes ask the individual to shuffle the deck (just the majors and the courts), while emptying their mind. Then they turn over the top card, and that's their key card. I only do it once with any person. Don't know if this is the right way to do them, but it seems to come out right for some reason - my female friend and I are both Queens of Pentacles - we're both studying physical subjects (vet. science and medicine), we both like our luxuries, and our men (lol). Nine times out of ten, it comes up with a card that applies, or so I've found. How do other people do it?

Inana	09 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Thirteen One other thing by the way: Pentacles can be read as physical. So in a question about love, it can also indicate physical attraction, lack thereof, and/or sex. Is interesting you are commenting this, cause i was thinking of it before, when writting. But i trend to identify sexuality and attraction more with wands than with pentacles. Could be wands the atraction and pentacles the consumation?

Inana	09 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Dark_angel Don't know if this is the right way to do them, but it seems to come out right for some reason - my female friend and I are both Queens of Pentacles - we're both studying physical subjects (vet. science and medicine), we both like our luxuries, and our men (lol). Nine times out of ten, it comes up with a card that applies, or so I've found. How do other people do it? [/b] Dark Angel, i think significators change in time. Time ago the Queen of coins used to represent me on readings, now she almost never appears. And cards show me more frequently as queen of wands/page swords. I supose it depends on the things one is living at the moment. I dont pick up or select the card. Is just when you see the card on the reading, you know its standing there in representation of you attitude on that matter.

Dark_angel	09 Nov 2003
That's a very good point, Inana! I guess it's because I only recently started reading for other people in public that I haven't thought it time to redraw. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanx! xxx

Thirteen	09 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Inana Could be wands the atraction and pentacles the consumation? Wands can certainly indicate a sexual encounter, but the emphasis is on the passion that leads to that sex. This is the feeling of not being able to keep your hands off the other person, of wanting to drag them into a closet during a party and tear off their clothes. Consumation can happen--likely WILL happen given the aggression and unwaving focus of wands. But its the passion leading up to that consumation--and cointinuing after provided it continues--that is the point. With cups, likewise, you can read eventual consumation. But the emphasis is on the romance that leads up to that sex. Slow, soft, longing looks, sweet brushes of the hand and lip, the poetry of coming together--and all that other mush. Even with Swords you can predict a sexual encounter--one where you talk your way into bed ;) But pentacles is, I think, the only suit that addresses the actual, physical act--as a physical act, not an act of passion, love or mental manuvering. Sex as a physical activity and, as Dark Angel mentions, one that gives us great comfort and pleasure. There's an appreciation of each others body, a healthy enjoyment of the physical sensations, and likely a good deal of cuddling afterwards when you get pentacles. It's all about the physical--not about what leads up to it. As in all other things, the pentacles are the most practical and healthy.

Moonbow*	10 Nov 2003
Hi Inana & Dark Angel This is interesting because numerous time the Queen of Cups comes out in a reading I do for myself. I have always related to this card. At first I thought perhaps the card kept appearing because it was a natural break in the deck, so I tried other decks, and also fanned the cards to pick one.... The same result... so I guess this must be my key card.. also.... as I said before I do readings for myself. Most of the time I find the spread contains court cards. I take this to mean that any decisions I made will involve alot of people (family). Does anyone else find they get court card time and time again when reading for themselves?

Jewel-ry	10 Nov 2003
I like your angle on this Thirteen! It clarifies things very well and of course can be applied to other situations. For instance the logical, emotional, practical, passionate or creative side of any question. I see......all is becoming a little clearer

Inana	11 Nov 2003
Thirteen, thanks for that explanation. Gives something on what to think. About pentacles being the most healthy... im remembering about an article i read time ago. It was about when one suit interferes in the natural place of another suite. Will try to shorten and translate it after. Maybe its of interest for you too. Moonbow, curiously i get a lot of court cards always when using the Thoth. Dont know why. But most of the time i dont read court cards as other people but as attitudes i need to bring in my life. Court cards arent easy...

DeLani	12 Nov 2003
Love what was said about the pentacles being about the warm, physical act -- yummy! I also wanted to add another take on pentacles in a love reading - I often find that it is referring to the stability, comfort, and familial aspect of a relationship. Some people prefer a lot of passion and spontenaity, some prefer romance, some prefer stability and comfort. That's what I see in pentacles as love. Of course, having my moon in Capricorn might have something to do with that.

The Pentacles and Love question thread was originally posted on 09 Nov 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.