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Holding a magic coin on a cloud, the Ace of Pentacles floats on opportunity, good fortune, wealth, and security. The sight of it signals a gift is on its way, most likely a financial or career-related gift. Perhaps a new job or an important promotion is just around the corner. In the Ace of Pentacles, we also see a lovely garden enfolding below this lucky coin, for the gift is one of earthly dimensions. And who doesn’t want more financial security and abundance? And yet, the gate within this garden is unmistakable, inspiring us to ask the simple question, “what lies beyond?” Strangely, though we may often complain of our failures, we fear success much more. But this card shows us greater awareness and prosperity that is gained when we have the courage to “go big or go home,” to follow our own personal magic and allow it to provide for us, to manifest our strengths into meaningful action – such as a job application or promotion proposal. It’s easy to sit at home and think, “what if?” |
Even when we are lucky enough to be provided an exciting opportunity or unexpected chance, it can still be hard to get up and try to make our “what if” a reality. Why do we fear what could ultimately make us so deeply satisfied? Perhaps because dreaming big requires a deep love and belief in ourselves. A knowledge that we are worthy. And we are! The power of the Ace of Pentacles is wrapped in this truth.
When this card appears in a reading, a lucky break is coming around the bend and it is time to make our dreams come true. No more excuses. It is time to step beyond the gate.
Signs of Spring are prominent in this card, and as March unfolds itself, we see Spring showing up all around us as well, including in the appearance of Chickweed (Stellara media), a common and yet delicate “weed” in most gardens. With little, white, starlike flowers that embody its Latin name, Chickweed spreads out laterally and is quite easy to pull out. Appearing just as we want to wander again out of doors and tend to come across more bumps, bruises, and bites, its arrival is perfect for addressing all such issues. Crush the fresh leaves to use as a poultice or in a salve, apply externally, and its alterative constituents will soothe boils, bug bites, bruises, cuts, and hemorrhoids as well as diminish skin issues including eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and acne. Taken internally as a decoction, it acts as a gentle laxative and carminative, while also containing demulcent qualities that relieve ulcers or sore throats. It is also known to reduce excess fat by clearing plaque from blood vessels.
Certainly, Chickweed grows within the garden of the Ace of Pentacles. This is a pairing that celebrates longer days, the life-giving presence of the sun as the shape of a starlike flower scattered about our path, the promise of renewal, adventure, and reaping of the rewards that come with capturing golden opportunities.
*Tarot reading is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Card deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith
References
Herzog, Joyce, RN and DeVries, Lynne. “Chickweed.” Medicinal Herb Info, Accessed 5 March 2022. https://medicinalherbinfo.org/000Herbs2016/1herbs/chickweed/
Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom. San Francisco, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2007. P258
Tierra, Lesley Lac. Healing with the Herbs of Life. Berkeley, The Crossing Press, 2003. P67
