The Eight of Pentacles - process and progress in the tarot

The Eight of Pentacles is all about focusing on your process so you can make real progress. This card is a great companion for building habits and learning new skills.

To give you a bit of context whilst you reflect on your own relationship to the card, here are a few key things to know about the Eight of Pentacles:

In the Rider Waite Smith version of this tarot card, a metalworker is seen hammering star designs into coins. They've been at this work for a while - you can tell by the collection of engraved pentacles mounted on the wall in front of them. There's a certain diligence and care here - they seem to be on the quest for the highest quality, and they'll keep working until they get there.

What we're looking at is an example of a craftsperson refining their skill, practicing. By sticking to the process of improving, this artisan worker shows dedicatication to their goals and an understanding that good work takes many tries and plenty of attention. Through commitment to the process, the figure in this card trusts that there will be progress. That they'll eventually engrave a coin that meets their expectations. Until then, they are content to keep at it.

The Eight of Pentacles can be a particularly powerful companion for anyone who is working at their own craft, trying to form a habit, or learning a new skill. The imagery gives you the nudge you need to stick to the process of learning, growing, and practicing, even if you're not seeing the results you want just yet.

There's also something special about the fact that this artisan is making pentacles. In the tarot, pentacles represent our earthly resources, so you can see this card as a prompt to think about the ways in which your craft your own experience, wisdom, and opportunity (all resources in their own right) by dedicating your time, energy, and attention to the work that you do.

In your tarot journal, you’re asked to reflect on what this card means to you, now, in this moment, and what actions and thoughts it inspires in you. As you journal, pay attention to what you’re personally picking up in the card, but also consider what the key themes in the card might be telling you. What elements of your life could improve if you put the work in? Are there things that get in the way of your ability to dedicate yourself to a process, and what could you do to mitigate those barriers? What does it mean for you to prioritise the process, even when you aren't seeing the results you want yet?

This mini tarot lesson was brought to you by me, Chelsey Pippin Mizzi, founder of Pip Cards Tarot.