This is one of the most lavishly decorated cards in the whole of the tarot deck. The King of Pentacles not only sits in the middle of a garden – he IS the garden! Or so his clothing would have you believe. His rich robes are covered in fruit, presumably red grapes. On the throne are bullheads, one on each arm and one on each corner of the backrest – the bulls are reminiscent of the Charging Bull near Wall Street. In his one hand a scepter, in his other a coin, he keeps his eyes closed to feel the earth around him.

To start with, we'll want to disambiguate court cards. They are often the most difficult to read, due to their general nature. It is easier to remember that a court card often signifies a person or entity: the sex of the person may not match that of the court card, but the attitude and persona will seem familiar. If it's clear that the court card doesn't refer to a person, remember to break it down further.

If this card represents a person, chances are you'll know who this individual is if they are present in your life, as they are hard to forget. This king is knowledgeable, responsibly, and competent – you can be sure that he is an expert in his field, and nearly an expert in anything he dabbles in.

Dependable almost to a fault, the King of Pentacles never lets anyone down if he can help it. He supports others in their ideas and tries to help them see how they can bring about the physical manifestation of their plans. He is a firm rock to build a family upon, as he is surefooted and always supportive of others (as long as they believe in themselves). Above all, the King is an outward manifestation of the Pentacles suit and he looks to help those in his life bring their physical dreams, wishes, and goals into reality.

The King Never Lets Failure Enter His Mind

When you see this card its possible the King is asking for you to take on his role, or to (at the very least) heed his advice. Be supportive of others' plans and ideas, including your own. Never seek to unbalance others intentionally – instead, look to keep them grounded, prepared, and realistic in all things. Assume responsibility when it's yours to take, and don't drop the ball if you can help it. Above all, try to help those around you to see how they can bring what they think, feel, and desire into this world so we can all be blessed by it.

When approaching the King of Pentacles, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions. Does the King represent a person in your life? If so, who? What lessons do they have to teach you? If not, what traits of the King should you work to bring into your own life? Reliability? Stability? Compassion and interest in the wants of others? How about supporting others, including yourself? How can you bring these things into your life on a daily basis?

The King of Pentacles is a unique card in its particular type of energy, but there are at least two cards that share some of its factors – the Emperor and the Ten of Pentacles. The Ten of Pentacles features a perfect ending to the Pentacles suit, featuring safety, security, and comfort – the King has all of these things and seeks to bring them to others in his life, so these two cards match well together. The Emperor plays more to the King of Pentacle's kingly side. The Emperor seeks to rule over all those in his life with a steady hand and lead them to prosperity – while the King of Pentacles looks to help others, he is less of a ruler and more of a guide... but the two cards still pair well.

What King of Pentacles Means for You Today

When the King of Pentacles arrives in your reading it is a sign that either you or someone you will encounter has the resources you need to accomplish your goals. While this often refers to material resources it can also indicate that you have the resilience you need to get things done. The King never needs to go too far out of his way, the next steps are always within reach. He also delegates many of the tasks he needs to take care of to other people. If you see this card, try to think about how a wealthy king would handle your situation. The one thing a king should never do is panic or allow stress to get the better of him.