7 of pentacles

[SacredRoses]

this card stumps me sometimes in regards to getting it in relationship readings. i would normally read it as someone who is pondering, trying to decide what to put into a relationship, or take out of it, alot of patience here. yet, i can see it as a holding pattern of sorts, no permanent couse of direction just yet. would be interested to see how others see this card in this aspect.

[Shebelle]

The 7 of Pentacles is called Failure. I think of this card, at best, as representing that there is a choice to be made about whether or not to proceed with a project. It is, in short, about timing.

In terms of relationship readings, I'd ask:

- is timing an issue here?
- what is the "next step" in the relationship and do you feel ready to take it? Do you think your partner is on the same page?
- are you getting out of the relationship what you expected?

[PAMUYA]

In a relationship it is about keeping what you have, or do you want more? Are you willing to give up and take a chance? This could be giving up on being single, or giving up on an old relationship for a new one. I think this card says to slow down, and really look at your options, you can risk it all or play it safe.

[nisaba]

To me, this card is very much about discouragement and about when everything is all too hard.

Ten of Wands? you might ask me, and yes, I'd reply, but in the Ten Wands you have at least shouldered that heavy burden and are carrying it. In the Seven Pentacles you haven't even tried - you were daunted at the outset, and you are looking at all that work that needs doing and just don't know where to begin or even if it's worth it.

In relationship terms, it's just all too difficult - they probably feel as if they are better off alone.

[SacredRoses]

have to agree with you on that, nisaba. thinking of the rider waite, the guy on that card looks like he is frustrated. like, "i am really thinking of throwing in the towel on this one," just complete exaspiration. not worth the work

[Ornimancer]

How about an interpretation of hard work or effort paying off in a direction that might be useful but is not the intended goal or what was wished for? I feel this sort of blends the seemingly diverse meanings from the different deck traditions.

[starrystarrynight]

Frustration is my go-to keyword for the Seven of Pentacles. The guy in the picture on the card (RWS traditional decks) is resting on his garden tool with a weary look on his face. He can keep hoeing, watering, and weeding--and if he does that, he'll probably end up with a good crop. But this guy is pausing and surveying and (I think) is tossing it over in his mind whether or not the end result is worth all the work. So, at the moment, he's frustrated with doing all this work without the end result in sight yet. But does he keep going or quit?...to me, that's the essence of this card--i.e. figuring out for himself if it's worth all the work he is investing.

For what it's worth, I think that there is a little more of the failure aspect to the Thoth tradition's Seven of Coins, which, as Shebelle pointed out, is actually called Failure. (But I haven't worked with Thoth in many years, so that could be wrong for me to assume right now...)

[hermit-IX]

it's funny, everytime i've recived the 7 of pentacles as my day card i have lost something.
i always found it, but it took soooo much time to finally track it down.
usually i had other work that i needed to be done, and i couldn't do it because i had to track down the item of the day.
frusturating for sure!!!

[WalesWoman]

For relationships and most things, I read 7 Pentacles as Patience, You have done as much as you can, it's out of your hands and time for nature to take it's course. It could also be a little... reap what you sow, but in this case, it's not ready yet for reaping and still has more time before it's matured enough. Mostly patience, you can't make something grow faster by pulling on it. (Most things anyway)

[poppiesrossi]

Seven of pentacles also means patience to me.. it's the farmer watching his crop. He's invested all his time and energy into growing.. so as a relationship, both people put their energy and effort into making it grow and now it's time to see where it goes. I do see some stillness in seven of pentacles.. the wait and see period.

I could also see an assessment of the relationship. Time to reflect and see if the relationship holds enough value to both people to move forward together. Or it could be a change in direction (usually away from one another) if the substance isn't there.

I do see a potential with seven of pentacles.. that harvest is near. I never read with Thoth though.. so I don't see it as failure card for me when it comes up in reading. Probably because I haven't seen it that way. It holds a promise of something rewarding to come.. but will take time and perseverance.