The King of Pentacles is a master manager. He shows us the abundance that comes from the practicality of diligent, hard work. He’s the culmination of worldly success, material satisfaction, and ambition at its highest level. The King of Pentacles is a natural born manager. Contrast this with the King of Wands who is a natural born leader.
The bull on the king’s chair is symbolic of royalty, stability, force, and power; the bull also represents stubbornness and rigidity. The village behind the king represent harmony and teamwork. The grapevines we’ve seen so much of in the suit of pentacles, are a reflection of abundance and fertility. The wall separating the king from the village show that the king won’t allow outside forces to influence him – the stubbornness portrayed in the symbol of the bull. The scepter in the king’s right hand is an indication of his power. The coin in his left hand represents material influence.
Upright: When the King of Pentacles appears upright, it’s an indication that there is a great deal of structure, stability, order, and abundance in our lives. This is a time when wealth comes to us easily. We no longer have to prove ourselves the way that we did in the Page and Knight of pentacles cards. We have a great deal of power and can use that power to make things happen. The King of Pentacles is resourceful, utilitarian, and more common sense than the court cards seen in the wands, cups, and swords. When the King of Pentacles appears in a reading, it’s a reminder that the finer things in life make life more enjoyable.
Reversed: When the King of Pentacles appears in the reversed position, this is an indication that we’ve show excessive interest in the material realm. This can be an overindulgence in food, sex, wine, or obsession with wealth. A reversal can also indicate we’ve become overly possessive or have let our ego run away with us. In the case of a reversal of the King of Pentacles, the king is corrupted in some way. Has our thinking become short sighted, only focused on how to grow our wealth? Finally, a reversal can be an indication we’ve become overly stubborn or fixed about something where there is a need for more flexible thinking.
A Fool's Journey Through Tarot 