The Keeper
What we hold onto—does it serve us, or do we serve it? The Four of Pentacles is the closed fist, the unwillingness to let go. It is security, but also fear. Stability, but also stagnation.
Holding too tightly to what we have—our money, our possessions, our beliefs—can make us feel safe.
But it can also become a prison. A life spent clinging to control leaves no room for growth, no space for change. But loosening our grip does not always mean losing. Sometimes, we have more to gain when we do so.
So I ask you: Why hold on to something so tightly? What are you so afraid to lose?
What is the Four of Pentacles?
The Four of Pentacles represents security and control.
There is a need to examine our relationship with material stability.
It may signify financial prudence, but also greed. Boundaries, but also resistance. Stability is valuable, but not when it corrupts into a fear of change.
Symbolism
- The Man Clutching Coins – Fear of loss, attachment to material wealth, or resistance to change.
- The Crown, Heart, and Feet Bound by Pentacles – Possessions controlling thoughts, emotions, and actions.
- The City in the Background – Isolation versus connection, the choice between security and engagement with the world.
- The Rigid Posture – Tension, resistance, and the inability to open up to new experiences.
Element: Earth
The Four of Pentacles is deeply rooted in the Earth element, representing material stability, security, and practicality.
But Earth can be both fertile and barren—growth requires a balance between preserving resources and allowing movement and change.
Associated Astrology: Sun in Capricorn
The Sun in Capricorn is disciplined, structured, and deeply concerned with security.
This placement embodies the need for long-term stability, but also the danger of becoming too rigid or overly attached to material success. It asks us to balance ambition with flexibility.
Numerology: 4
In numerology, four represents structure, foundation, and stability. It is the solid ground beneath our feet, the walls that protect us.
But too much structure can become confinement. The Four of Pentacles challenges us to recognize when security turns into restriction.
“The things you own end up owning you.”
— Chuck Palahniuk
Upright Meanings
The Four of Pentacles speaks to our need for security and our fear of loss.
General Meaning
You are in a place of stability and control, but be mindful—is your caution protecting you, or is it keeping you stuck?
Love
A relationship where one or both partners are emotionally guarded. Fear of vulnerability or possessiveness may be preventing true intimacy.
Career
Holding onto a job or position out of fear rather than passion. Financial stability is strong, but at what cost?
Finances
Practical money management, but also fear of spending or taking risks. Saving is wise, but not when it comes from a place of scarcity.
Health
Resistance to change in health routines. Holding onto unhealthy habits or refusing to try new approaches out of fear or comfort.
Reversed Meanings
When reversed, the Four of Pentacles suggests letting go, loosening control, and releasing fear.
General Meaning
A time to release control and embrace change. Where have you been holding on too tightly?
Love
Letting go of emotional walls. A willingness to trust, to share, and to open up to deeper connection.
Career
Breaking free from stagnation. A realization that financial security isn’t the only measure of success.
Finances
A shift from scarcity mindset to abundance. Investing in experiences, generosity, and trusting that money will flow.
Health
Releasing rigid habits. Being open to new treatments, routines, or perspectives on well-being.
What Does the Four of Pentacles Teach Us?
Security is necessary, but so is movement. Stability is valuable, but so is growth. Holding on can protect us—but it can also weigh us down, keeping us from reaching for something greater.
When it comes down to it, can you trust that what is truly yours will never be lost?
