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Ace of Pentacles, brainstorming, Capricorn, character development, Earth, elements, four, Four of Pentacles, Joanna Powell Colbert, Meet the Cards, Minor Arcana, numbers, numerology, plotting, Raelyn Barclay, tarot, Tarot Notes, Taurus, The Emperor, Virgo, writers, writing
Generally, all Fours:
- Express sacred space, boundaries, or limits of their suit, or element.
- Reflect the themes and wisdom of the Builder.
- Symbolize foundation.
- Can represent Act Three, the resolution of your story; syntheses; it can be a plot point such as the First Plot Point, the turning point between Act One and Act Two; or the committing to change step of your character’s arc.
- Are the start of the second set of mini-dramas mentioned in the Numbers in Tarot post. In the fours we must build a foundation before moving forward.
- For additional info on Fours check out Tarot Notes Take a Number series on Fours.
What I See:
As with a number of these cards, I love the artist’s take of this one. Normally, the Four of Pentacles shows a miserly looking man hoarding his coins. I always came away from the traditional card feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. Here on the other hand, I see the positives. The squirrel is gathering his acorns for the winter. It reminds me that it is wise to save for a rainy day. There is the cairn of four stones, a blessing often representing safety, hope, and friendship. It reminds me to be thankful for what I do have in my life. Cairns can also mark a path — pointing us in the right direction? — or a landmark.
General Earth element/Pentacles suit:
Please refer back to the Ace of Earth.
Light (upright) Reading:
You’re building a security net, whether shelter, finances, or blessings.
- Keywords: Power, Enrichment, Possession, and Stability.
Shadow (upside down or reverse) Reading:
You’re taking more than your fair share of resources and risk forgetting where you’ve hidden the bounty.
- Keywords: Greed, Stinginess, Suspicion, and Fear.
Plots:
How about something surrounding the four seasons? Perhaps the four elements? In the traditional depiction of this card, the four coins symbolize the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical realms.
Four walls, the building of a structure? A corner stone? Laying a foundation? Or finding something/someone in a structure?
Pentacles stand for the worldly pursuits and perhaps, like the squirrel, your MC is obsessed with making money, saving for a rainy day, to the point he’s forgotten how to enjoy the fruits of his labor? Or perhaps, like the squirrel, he is alone? Maybe a retelling of Midas?
- Four Themes: Sacred Space, Structure, Boundaries, Limits, Foundation, or Stewardship.
How about focusing on the cairn? Perhaps, your story is about counting blessings. Or finding the right path. Or finding the landmark that unlocks a key to the past. Or maybe the future?
Characters:
Gathering and saving for a rainy day.
- Suit Archetype/Feudal Class: Merchants, Business, and Professional class.
The nine-point personality enneagram can also be useful for character building.
All Fours are E4: Tragic Romantic, Individualist, and/or Connoisseur
- Self Image — I am different
- Passion — Envy
- Virtue — Equanimity
- Narcissistic Trap — Authenticity
- Avoids — Ordinariness
- Speaking Style — Lyrical or Lamenting
E4 people are relationship oriented. They are concerned with what others think of them, image and prestige. They see themselves as being for others and often believe they know what’s best. They dislike being alone and may feel sad or inadequate.
Additionally, look up one of the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) for personality traits.
Image: Gaian Tarot
Raelyn Barclay 
I was particularly struck by the difference in the vegetation shown on the each side of the stream/river. On the side with the squirrel gathering his store, you see the fallen leaves strewn about. The tree in it’s golden time. On the other side, it is still green, a sign of positive things passed or to come. Very interesting.
Realistic me was just thinking it was a difference between evergreen and oak vegetation. I love the image of passage! Very cool Angela.
Thanks for stopping by!
Nice observation Angela, I didn’t see that initially. But then, I love fall so I was all about the shades of orange. We saw several cairns piled up in the Lackawanna River in Scranton. I think we spent more time wondering about those than anything else. All I know, is that tree looks like a good place to sit and write 🙂
It does look like a great spot to sit and write, and I love fall too 😀
Thanks for stopping by Melanie!
I thought the stream was a road since it was a little washed out. But either way it serves as a boundary. And the difference in vegetation Angela saw, struck me not as new growth, but evergreens.
Actually the part that struck me the most were the four stones–the basis of a good foundation. I love it when others point out what they see. It broadens my perspective so much.
Actually, I think it’s more of a meadow than stream or road, but you’re right it feels like a boundary.
“I love it when others point out what they see. It broadens my perspective so much.” I love the comments on these posts for that very reason, Maria.
Thanks for stopping by!
I like the squirrel much more than the man.
Also, you’ve reminded me that I have two decks… A basic one, and one whose art felt more suited to me. I need to really spend some time with that deck in a writerly fashion.
Isn’t the squirrel so much nicer than the miserly man?!
I keep telling myself I’ll pick up a Rider-Waite deck for study purposes but, with so many fantastic artists out there, why limit myself? 😀
Thanks for stopping by Nicole!
The reason I picked up the Rider-Waite was because I wrote a YA story about a tarot deck for NaNo a few years back, and I wanted to be really familiar with the traditional cards. It worked, even if I’ve forgotten much of what I learned. 🙂
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