The Five of Pentacles — Hardship & Loss Playlist
There are moments when life feels cold, when scarcity looms large and loneliness presses in. The Five of Pentacles is that moment. It represents the sting of loss, the ache of being shut out, and the heaviness of struggle.
It reminds us that hardship is part of the human experience, but it also whispers that support is never as far away as it seems. There are doors we don’t always see, lights in the distance that can guide us back to warmth.
And that’s where music comes in. A playlist like this acts as a spell. It walks with you through the shadows, honoring the pain, while also keeping the embers of hope alive.
But first, let’s talk about what this card means.
The Five of Pentacles in Tarot
In the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, the Five of Pentacles shows two weary figures trudging through the snow, passing by the glowing light of a church window. It’s a picture of struggle and feeling shut out.
At its core, this card represents:
✨ Hardship and Scarcity — the experience of loss, illness, or financial strain.
✨ Isolation and Exclusion — feeling left behind, unsupported, or forgotten.
✨ Hope Beyond the Cold — the reminder that even in hardship, warmth and connection can be found.
When this card appears in a reading, it often calls you to acknowledge struggles with honesty and to also seek out community, resources, and light when you need them most.
Music as Magic
To me, music is one of the simplest kinds of spellwork. A playlist can set the tone for an afternoon of creativity, a ritual, or even just a mood shift. The songs we choose become the energy we’re weaving around ourselves.
The Five of Pentacles playlist is one I imagine playing while:
Lighting a candle on a difficult night to honor grief.
Sitting with feelings of being left out or left behind.
Journaling about scarcity and how it shows up in your life.
Remembering that even in loss, hope can still flicker.
It’s music for sorrow, resilience, and the light that lingers. Each track is a step through the snow, from the chill of despair toward the faint glow of a warming fire.
The Playlist
Here’s the soundtrack I curated to capture the essence of the Five of Pentacles:
Cold Little Heart – Michael Kiwanuka
This haunting opener sets the stage for the Five of Pentacles’ icy loneliness. The slow build mirrors feelings of being left out in the cold, while the rich vocals carry both sorrow and quiet strength. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s still a spark of warmth within.Hard Times – Paramore
Paramore’s upbeat yet raw anthem captures the paradox of struggling while still moving forward. With playful rhythms layered over lyrics of hardship, the song reflects how difficulty doesn’t erase resilience. It’s the sound of laughing through tears, embodying the Five of Pentacles’ reminder that we can find levity even in suffering.Unsteady – X Ambassadors
“Unsteady” embodies the shaky ground of financial or emotional instability. The trembling vocals echo the fear of collapse, yet also carry a plea for support. This track honors the vulnerable side of the Five of Pentacles, showing how hard times can push us to lean on others instead of isolating ourselves.All I Want – Kodaline
With its aching lyrics and soaring delivery, this track gives voice to longing and despair. It reflects the emptiness and yearning of the Five of Pentacles, when what we crave feels just out of reach. Yet within the song’s yearning lies a hint of hope that connection and healing remain possible.Medicine – Daughter
This somber piece speaks to the need for comfort in times of illness, loss, or despair. Its fragile tone mirrors the Five of Pentacles’ themes of hardship and the search for solace. The song reminds us that reaching for “medicine” can mean seeking care, love, or community when we’re most in need.Hunger – Florence + The Machine
“Hunger” captures the ache of longing — not just for love, but for meaning. The Five of Pentacles often reflects spiritual or emotional emptiness, and Florence’s powerful delivery channels that desire for something more. It’s an anthem of searching in the void, finding beauty in naming what we’re hungry for.Small Poppies – Courtney Barnett
Barnett’s reflective track slows us into the introspection of loneliness. Its meandering pace mirrors the stagnation that hardship can bring, while her sharp lyrics cut to the heart of feeling small and unseen. This song reminds us of the quiet, heavy moments of struggle that shape the Five of Pentacles.Cough Syrup – Young the Giant
“Cough Syrup” balances despair with a desperate push forward. Its metaphor of seeking relief from heaviness resonates with the Five of Pentacles’ energy of searching for reprieve. This track acknowledges the difficulty of survival, while also suggesting that even temporary remedies can give us the courage to keep moving.The Boxer – Simon & Garfunkel
A classic tale of struggle and perseverance, “The Boxer” fits seamlessly with the Five of Pentacles’ themes. Its story of hardship, poverty, and resilience echoes the card’s imagery of being out in the cold. Yet the refrain “lie-la-lie” brings a strange comfort, reminding us that enduring pain can create beauty.Keep Your Head Up – Ben Howard
Closing the playlist with Ben Howard brings in light after the storm. This track embodies resilience, gently reminding us that struggle isn’t forever. It mirrors the flicker of hope hidden within the Five of Pentacles — that even in isolation or loss, there is always the possibility of healing and renewal.
Journal Prompts for the Five of Pentacles
If you want to go deeper into the energy of this card, try reflecting with these prompts:
Where in my life do I feel excluded, unsupported, or in lack?
How can I seek community or resources rather than isolating in struggle?
What small sparks of hope remind me that winter doesn’t last forever?
These reflections can guide you from feeling left out to finding your way back in. If you want to explore these prompts more deeply, I created a free worksheet to guide you.
Blog Rewards Program
The Five of Pentacles speaks of struggle, but also of resilience. ❄️ Get the free Hardship Insight Kit with a tarot spread and journal prompts to uncover hope in difficult times. Available in the Blog Reward Program.
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Bringing the Five of Pentacles Into Your Life
This playlist isn’t about wallowing — it’s about honoring your struggle and remembering resilience.
Compassion Practice: Light a candle for yourself and listen while offering words of kindness.
Community Ritual: Play it while reaching out to a friend or support system.
Shadow Journaling: Let the songs guide you to write about times you’ve felt left out or in lack.
Hope Invocation: As the playlist softens, repeat affirmations like, “I am never truly alone.”
By making listening intentional, you transform music into magic.
Final Thoughts
The Five of Pentacles speaks to times when life feels heavy, when we’re left out in the cold. But even in struggle, music can be a light. This playlist is here to honor grief while guiding you back to sparks of hope.
So wrap yourself in a blanket, put on the headphones, and listen. Let the songs remind you that winter doesn’t last forever and that warmth and community can be found again.
✨ Want to go deeper? Try pulling a card for “what support is available to me right now” as you listen.
