Card 71 • pentacles

Eight of Pentacles

Brief Description

The Eight of Pentacles symbolizes diligent, honest labor and the apprenticeship phase of mastering a craft. It indicates actively acquiring new skills, taking on projects, or advancing in work through committed effort. Your industriousness brings respect and progress, but the card warns to allow for rest and reprieve to avoid exhaustion. Reversed, it cautions against overcommitment, perfectionism, and burnout that can stall progress.

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Poem

As fast as I learn, I work twice as hard. Yet diligent labor leaves my heart scarred.

Meaning

An industrious mule carries her load up the mountain, diligent and honest work. The Eight of Pentacles is a card of learning and apprenticeship. You are eagerly taking on a new skill. Perhaps you have recently been promoted, are taking on a new project, or are learning a new craft. However, while your industriousness earns you the respect of your peers, don't forget the value of reprieve.

Upright and Reversed Positions

If in the upright position, you are acquiring knowledge and applying it gainfully. In reverse, the card indicates you are so committed to your work that you are overextending yourself.

Upright Keywords

apprenticeship, education, quality, commitment, diligence, hard work, progress, pursuing goals, dedicated, craftsmanship

Reversed Keywords

perfectionism, lack of focus, loss of ambition, frustration, lack of progress, discouragement, burning out, breaking under pressure

Visual Description

Inside an oval frame a pale donkey moves to the right wearing a garland of pink roses around its head and a decorative gold-and-brown harness and bridle. Behind the animal is a patterned backdrop of circular motifs arranged in rows, set against a pale blue sky and a large golden disk at the horizon. The landscape is rendered in washes of purple and lavender with small plants sprouting and a reflective pool at the bottom edge. A small banner with the Roman numeral VIII appears centered at the top of the frame.

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Children of Litha tarot

✍️ Deck author(s): Alexandria Huntington

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