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Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles is the most patient of the four knights. Where the others charge, he plods — and arrives. As a person the card describes someone dependable, methodical and responsible; as a situation, progress that is slow but sure, or a task that calls for routine and persistence rather than flair.
The image
An armoured knight sits on a heavy black horse that stands still in a ploughed field, holding a pentacle out before him. Waite wrote that the horse is "slow, enduring, heavy", and that the rider's own aspect matches it. The motionless horse and the furrowed earth are usually read as patience, method and the work of preparing the ground.
Upright
Upright, the card is read as reliability, hard work, caution and commitment. Waite gave "utility, serviceableness, interest, responsibility, rectitude". It favours careful planning, keeping promises and finishing what was started.
Reversed
Waite's reversed meanings were "inertia, idleness", stagnation, discouragement and carelessness. Modern readers often see the knight's steadiness turned into boredom, stubbornness or a rut. Some readers do not use reversals.
Correspondences
One of the court cards of Pentacles, element Earth. In the Golden Dawn's scheme, which most English-language decks follow, the mounted figure is the suit's "King": the Lord of the Wild and Fertile Land, King of the Spirits of Earth, paired as Fire of Earth. Book T gives him the zodiac from 20° Leo to 20° Virgo.
In a reading
As advice it says to keep a steady pace and not cut corners; as an obstacle, that things are moving too slowly or someone is stuck in habit. In the outcome it suggests results earned by persistence. Beside the Eight of Pentacles it doubles the emphasis on steady, careful work.
In astrology
The Golden Dawn's correspondences, which most English-language decks follow (French, Marseille-based tradition differs for some Major Arcana).
Element: Earth — the element of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn