Sometimes, I like to “play” with my tarot decks. I enjoy handling them, and to me, the cards represent archetypes of human behavior. They tell a story. As tools for self-reflection, they help me think and gain insight into life. They work like a fable, a myth, or even a fortune cookie message—snapshots of human experiences we all go through.
At the end of the day, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t use tarot decks as something spiritual or predictive. I use them as tools for self-awareness. They help me rethink my life, my behavior, my patterns, and my story. And by the end of this text, I’ll leave you with an exercise that might help you too.
I do NOT accept the Five of Pentacles. Oh, no! I refuse! I return that card whenever I can. Every time it shows up in my hands, it gives me chills, and I put it right back in the deck. In a somewhat comical way, I look at it and say, “Not today!”
Let me explain why. In my humble opinion, the Five of Pentacles is the most disgusting card in the tarot. It triggers me. It shoves my story right in my face… Could your story be a Five of Pentacles too? If not, this text isn’t for you! And honestly, I’m really happy about that.
Let’s dive into the heartbreak of this card.
The Five of Pentacles: An Archetype of Pain and Growth
A Symbol of Scarcity and Rejection
Have you ever seen the Five of Pentacles card? It’s the one with two figures walking barefoot in the freezing cold, looking completely defeated, passing by a brightly lit church. Heavy vibes, right? And yes, it is.
This card represents scarcity – financial, emotional, even spiritual. It speaks to those moments when you feel abandoned, rejected, or like there’s no way out. Who hasn’t been ghosted? Been stuck in a dry spell? Begging for scraps? Settling for the bare minimum just to get by—whether emotionally or materially?
The Church’s Light: Hope or Illusion?
But here’s the thing: these people are right outside a church. The light is there. There’s hope, there’s help. But for some reason, they don’t go in. Maybe they don’t see the light, maybe they feel unworthy of receiving help, or maybe they’re so focused on their pain that they can’t see a solution.
This interpretation fits perfectly with self-sabotage—when someone doesn’t allow themselves to be happy because they don’t feel like they deserve it. That makes sense!
But here’s my take on this card:
Knocking on the Wrong Door: The Trap of False Hope
Ultimately, it’s about knocking on the wrong door. That door will never open, yet we stand there waiting. And you know why we wait? Because there’s “hope.” And in this case, hope is a bitch.
There’s light and warmth inside that church. But guess what? It’s not our place. That’s not our shelter. The door that’s meant for us is somewhere else—further ahead. But no!!! We want that door because, well, there’s something there! Yes, sis, there is!
There’s potential for something good. But it’s not available to us. It’s not our fit. We don’t have the key. Our key doesn’t open that door. Who cares if there’s something beautiful and promising inside? I’m not spending the rest of my life waiting for something that will never come.
The Turning Point: “I DO NOT ACCEPT!” – From Victim to Action
One day, I was pulling cards and reflecting on my life, and there it was—the Five of Pentacles. In the past, when I was weaker, I would’ve looked at it and thought: yep, makes sense, my life is an eternal Five of Pentacles. Scarcity in every area.
Recognizing the Pattern of Scarcity
Always in love with people who don’t value me, settling for crumbs of affection, zero reciprocity, my career going nowhere no matter how hard I try. Looking at my story and finding no moments of joy or success—just constant struggle, constant lack, always on the sidelines.
You know the feeling: life is a party, but you didn’t get the invite. Maybe they let you in, but only to serve drinks. You’re never really part of it. Nothing ever happens. Never!
What a nightmare! No more!!!
Stop Waiting for the Wrong Door to Open
Life is full of challenges and tough moments, sure. But when nothing is good? When no part of your life compensates for the rest? Oh no, I refuse!
That was the moment I took control of my life and stopped being a victim. The way out? Step away from that door and STOP WAITING FOR IT TO OPEN. I went searching for MY door.
Think about it: it’s like applying for a job that requires fluency in German, but your second language is French. Obviously, you won’t get the job. It’s not for you. And then you walk away complaining that nothing ever works out, that life isn’t fair, that nobody values you, etc.
Maybe it’s time to apply for something that aligns with your skills? To stop putting yourself in situations where failure is guaranteed?
Action Over Manifestation: The Power of Moving Forward
People!!! Let’s put ourselves in places where we’re welcomed, valued, and loved. Let’s look for our door—the one where our key fits and opens!
This is the context we can control: where we place ourselves.
I WILL NO LONGER STAY WHERE THERE’S NO RECIPROCITY. IF THE DOOR WON’T OPEN, I WALK AWAY. I KEEP MOVING UNTIL I’M WELCOMED. UNTIL I’M EMBRACED.
WE CAN’T STAY OUT IN THE COLD, DEPENDING ON THE CHURCH OWNER TO THROW US A SCRAP JUST TO KEEP US ALIVE.
The moment we understand that we’re the ones placing ourselves in these situations of scarcity, we can change. This is not about positive thinking or manifestation! No way. It’s about moving! Taking action!
From Scarcity to Abundance: Turning the Five of Pentacles into a Lesson
Scarcity isn’t just about money or material things. It creeps into our relationships, self-worth, and even the way we view opportunities. Many of us live in a mindset of “not enough”—not enough love, not enough success, not enough time, not enough options. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Who decided that’s the truth?
Scarcity as a Learned Behavior
Often, this belief system isn’t even ours. It comes from childhood conditioning, past experiences, or even societal messages that taught us to settle, to be grateful for crumbs, and to expect disappointment. Maybe you’ve heard:
- “You should be grateful for what you get.”
- “Love is about sacrifice.”
- “Life is hard, deal with it.”
While gratitude is important, there’s a huge difference between being grateful and settling for less than you deserve.
Recognizing Where You’ve Settled
Look at your life:
- Are you staying in relationships where you’re not valued?
- Accepting low pay because you don’t believe you can get more?
- Ignoring your needs because you fear rejection?
Every time we accept less than we deserve, we reinforce the belief that this is all we’ll ever have.
Breaking Free from the Scarcity Mindset
Transformation starts with a firm decision. Not wishful thinking, not vague intentions—an actual commitment to stop repeating the same patterns. That’s where the exercise comes in:
A Powerful Exercise to Break This Pattern
Write your own declaration or make a list:
- What are you no longer willing to accept in your life?
- Where have you been settling for crumbs?
- What boundaries will you set from now on?
- What steps will you take to move away from this place of scarcity?
The Five of Pentacles might be showing you where you’ve allowed scarcity into your life, but it’s also a wake-up call to leave that place. It’s your choice: stay in the cycle or say ‘I don’t accept!’ and start building the life you deserve.
Are You Stuck in the Five of Pentacles? Here’s How to Break Free!
The Five of Pentacles isn’t just a Tarot card—it’s a symbol of struggle, scarcity, and misplaced hope. But here’s the twist: it’s also a wake-up call.
In this video, I share my personal journey with the Five of Pentacles—how I recognized my own patterns of scarcity and, most importantly, how I refused to let them define me. You’ll learn how this card taught me to take back control of my life—and how you can do the same.
Here is a powerful exercise to shift from scarcity to abundance. Don’t forget to download the free PDF with the full template here.
This isn’t just about Tarot—it’s about identifying where you’ve been settling for less than you deserve. Stop waiting. Stop hoping for change. It’s time to take action and claim the life that’s meant for you. Watch now!