The Four of Pentacles — Control & Security Playlist
There’s a fine line between protecting what you have and holding on so tightly that nothing can move. The Four of Pentacles is that moment where security tips into control, where the desire to keep safe becomes a cage instead of a comfort.
When this card appears, it often mirrors back the places where you’re clinging too hard — to money, to possessions, to emotions, to relationships. It’s about the fear of loss, but also about the illusion that we can prevent change by tightening our grip. The lesson of this card is that we can build security without letting fear rule us.
And that’s where music comes in. A playlist like this acts as a spell. It will take you on a journey from desire to greed, from clinging to release. By listening, you’re not just hearing songs — you’re working through the energy of the Four of Pentacles.
But first, let’s talk about what this card means.
The Four of Pentacles in Tarot
In the Rider–Waite–Smith image, the figure clutches a coin in their arms, balances one on their head, and presses their feet down on two more. It’s a powerful symbol of holding on — but also of being held back.
Themes of the Card:
Control and security
Money, possessions, and stability
Fear of loss or change
Greed, rigidity, or clinging too tightly
Tarot Insight:
When the Four of Pentacles appears, it asks: are you protecting yourself wisely, or are you holding on so tightly that nothing can flow in or out?
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 Four of Pentacles playlist is one I imagine playing while:
Journaling about where I’m clinging too tightly to control.
Sorting through old possessions and deciding what to release.
Lighting a candle for grounding when fear of loss creeps in.
Meditating on the difference between safety and scarcity.
It’s music for loosening the grip and trusting abundance.
The Playlist
Here’s the soundtrack I curated to capture the essence of the Four of Pentacles:
Material Girl – Madonna
We open with a playful but pointed anthem. Madonna’s “Material Girl” has become iconic for its celebration of wealth, luxury, and independence. But beneath the glitter is a lesson. We might enjoy the sparkle, but is it really where happiness lies? This track sets the tone: the allure of money and the culture of materialism.Rich Girl – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Next comes a track that pulls back the curtain. “Rich Girl” reminds us that wealth doesn’t solve everything, and that using money as a tool for power or control can hollow out relationships. It’s a commentary on privilege and detachment, perfect for exploring the shadow of the Four of Pentacles.I Want It All – Queen
With Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals, the demand of “I want it all, and I want it now” captures that relentless drive to possess more, faster. It’s not about careful stewardship; it’s about the hunger that never ends. In the context of this card, it’s a reminder that sometimes wanting everything leaves us with nothing.Greed – Tash Sultana
Dark, moody, and hypnotic, Tash Sultana’s “Greed” digs deeper into the shadow. This isn’t playful desire anymore — it’s the gnawing compulsion to take, even when it doesn’t serve. This track asks you to reflect: where in your life does greed whisper in your ear?Happiness Is a Warm Gun – Joe Anderson
This cover of the Beatles track feels like obsession spiraling into danger. The metaphor of a “warm gun” points to the ways we cling to satisfaction, possession, or power. The song’s energy mirrors the Four of Pentacles at its most extreme.Gold – Chet Faker
Smooth and sultry, this song seduces with shimmer. The title alone calls up the fixation on wealth and shiny things, but the music itself is layered. It is both alluring and empty as it reminds us that the glitter we chase often has little substance.Royals – Lorde
Lorde’s breakout hit critiques consumerism and the obsession with luxury lifestyles. “We’ll never be royals” becomes a declaration of freedom, rejecting the idea that happiness is tied to wealth. In the arc of this playlist, this song is a pivot point.Price Tag – Jessie J
With its upbeat rhythm, “Price Tag” lightens the mood while driving home an important truth: life isn’t about money, it’s about joy, love, and connection. This track challenges the very foundation of the Four of Pentacles’ fear, offering a reminder that happiness comes when we stop measuring everything in currency.You Don’t Own Me – Lesley Gore
Here, the energy flips. Instead of being about greed or clinging, this song reclaims independence. “You don’t own me” is a direct rejection of control, whether financial, emotional, or social. It’s the liberation that comes when we finally let go of fear.For the Love of Money – The O’Jays
The playlist closes with a soulful groove that lays it out clearly: “For the love of money, people will steal from their mother…” The O’Jays remind us of money’s double-edged sword. Ending here leaves us reflective, grounded in awareness of money’s power, but also in our own power to choose how we relate to it.
Journal Prompts for the Four of Pentacles
If you want to go deeper into the energy of this card, try reflecting with these prompts:
Where in my life am I holding too tightly to security or control?
How does money or material stability shape my choices, and where can I release fear around it?
What would freedom look like if I trusted abundance instead of clinging?
If you want to explore these prompts more deeply, I created a free worksheet to guide you.
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Bringing the Four of Pentacles Into Your Life
This playlist isn’t just for passive listening — it’s a magical tool you can bring into your practice. Here are a few ideas:
Budgeting Ritual: Light a green or gold candle and play the list while reviewing your finances. Notice where you feel fear, and where you feel empowered.
Decluttering Spell: As the playlist shifts from greed to liberation, move through your space and release items you no longer need. Donate them, and let the act of giving become a ritual.
Meditative Listening: Close your eyes and breathe with each song. Notice where your body tenses up and where it softens. Let the music guide you into awareness of your own patterns.
Affirmation Work: Pair the final tracks with affirmations like, “I am safe. I am abundant. I let go with trust.”
By making listening intentional, you transform music into magic.
Final Thoughts
The Four of Pentacles teaches us about balance — about knowing when control keeps us safe, and when it keeps us trapped. It asks us to reflect on our relationship with security, money, and freedom, and to recognize that true abundance flows when we release fear.
Let this playlist be a mirror and a guide. Dance with the glitter, sit with the shadows, and embrace the liberation at the end. Because when you loosen your grip, you discover that security doesn’t vanish, it expands.
