Suit of Coins · 12:58pm Aug 23rd, 2020
In the minor arcana, the suit of Coins is the suit of wealth and material goods, covering affairs of business, commerce, and money matters. The Ace is symbolic of beginnings and opportunities. What this card means is that a new opportunity awaits you. You need to reach out and grab it, but be wary -- you're probably going to have to work hard to make it profitable. I chose Daring Do for this card on the grounds that her entire job is finding new temples to explore, fighting enemies and the natural world to get there, then making that into profit via treasure, new knowledge, and book sales.
Here, Daring is poised to seize the treasure before her, fairly literally illustrating the meaning of the card. The verdant overgrowth around her signals that the time is right, and the outcome fruitful. She will achieve her goals, so long as she can escape the ruins intact...
The 2 of Coins, or 'Change', represents multiple priorities and time management; reversed, it easily turns into over-commitment and disorganization. Caramel wears many hats in Equestria, appearing as a farmer, salespony, doctor, audience member, wild west settler, buff carthorse, and more more more. He's got a lot on, is all I'm saying, though whether he's aware of his numerous lives is up for interpretation.
He walks with the two coins balanced in either hoof, apparently with difficulty. However, the infinity symbol around them suggests that Caramel is capable of handling any number of problems provided that he manages his time and resources well. The choppy seas behind him suggest that those problems may be coming sooner than hoped.
The 3 of Coins, or 'Works', is a symbol of collaboration and implementing plans. Reversed, it means working alone and misaligned goals. I chose Braeburn to represent this card -- as a settler in a frontier town, he doubtless relies on his community of AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPALOOSA! There's no shortage of work to be done building and structuring his town, ensuring that the harvest is completed on time, and baking sweet apple pies.
This card shows Braeburn helping to build a railway through a tunnel, while his friends examine the plans. When working on such a large project, it is vital that all parties remain on the same page and work toward the benefit of all.
The 4 of Coins is known as 'Power' and signals conservation, saving money, and control. Reversed, it symbolizes greed and self-interest. I chose Maud for this card because she's basically the most self-controlled pony onscreen.
Here, Maud sits on her family rock farm, surrounded by her rocks. She keeps them close because of her love for them, but she sits alone, divided from the rest of the world.
The 5 of Coins, or 'Worry' is the card of poverty, loss, and isolation; reversed, it signals recovery from financial loss. I mostly chose Berry for this one because of how I was able to set up the composition. Sometimes it be like that.
Berry Punch here stands in an empty bar, with no patrons or company. This is not a great situation for a bartender to be in. She is so caught up in the death spiral of worry that she does not pay attention to the barrels of cider behind her, symbolic of warmth, joy, and community support.
The 6 of Coins, or 'Success', is emblematic of generosity, gift-giving, and receiving. Reversed, it refers to self-care and debts. As Rarity's protegee, Coco seemed an apt choice for this one -- self-sacrificing and hardworking, she appears successful indeed, and capable of sharing the wealth.
Coco is depicted here as working on a hat while five others hang on the wall behind her -- she works hard to make a profit, and she is successful, but she was not always so. No matter how well-off you are, there will always be a time when you need the help of others. The scale speaks of her fairness and generosity.
The 7 of Coins, or 'Failure', symbolizes perseverance and investment; inverted, it means a lack of long-term vision or limited success. I chose Cheerilee to represent this card because as a teacher, she is always working tirelessly to invest in the future of her students. Teachers rock and deserve to be paid more.
She is tired here, but happy, as she has worked so hard to grow these beautiful flowers from tiny seeds and can now enjoy the fruits of her labors. Success comes from patience and effort, but this card reminds you not to exhaust yourself.
The 8 of Coins, or 'Prudence', represents apprenticeship, the development and eventual mastery of skills; reversed, it symbolizes perfectionism and self-development. Babs, as an apprentice mane stylist, fits the bill rather well on this one.
Here, Babs works on the model customer before her. It is a little surreal, given that their head is a coin, but the alternative was drawing eight creepy mannequin heads and I am not here for that. Anyway, she's already done seven, and practice makes perfect.
The 9 of Coins, or 'Gain', is the card of luxury, abundance, and self-sufficiency; reversed, it symbolizes hustling or over-investment in work. I see Silver Spoon growing up to be a high-powered Manehattan lawyer, rolling in the big bucks, so I chose her to represent this one.
She sits in a fancy, formal office, representing her success and wealth. Coins are organized around the office -- she has a healthy relationship with money, orderly and thought-out. Paperwork lies below the coins, emblematic of the work she had to do to achieve this role in life.
The 10 of Coins, or 'Wealth', is symbolic of long-term success, contribution, and financial security; reversed, it represents the dark side of wealth, failure, or loss. I chose Filthy Rich because... well, it's kind of in the name, isn't it? He's definitely well-off and is the reason why his family is so rich. The snobbishness of his daughter and moreso his wife, however, are definite examples of the dark side of wealth.
Here, he gazes at a picture of his family -- they are the reason he works so hard, but his work keeps him from them in turn. It is an unpleasant paradox. He is wealthy, and he is secure, but he is isolated.
The Page of Coins represents financial opportunities, progress, and manifestation of desires; reversed, it symbolizes procrastination and learning from failure. Diamond Tiara is set up for success as the heir to her father's fortune and business, and she wants to expand, but her self-doubt makes her hesitant to do so.
Diamond examines the coin before her, as though seeking to understand how it works and how to multiply it. Behind her is the pastoral life of her youth -- before her, the obstacles and opportunities of progress and the city.
The Knight of Coins is a symbol of routine and productivity; reversed, it symbolizes feeling stuck or bored. Granny Smith has lived in Ponyville since its founding, and has developed a routine that follows the cycle of seasons to maximize the profitability of her orchards.
Granny is in no hurry to get anywhere, instead surveying the landscape around her with pride. The plowed field behind her is a symbol of doing dull work to achieve her goals, and the heart-shaped apples in the trees show that this is a labor of love.
The Queen of Coins is a symbol of a working parent, nurturing and practical. Reversed, it refers to financial independence or a work-home conflict. I chose Tender Care for this one because her cutie mark lies in being a nurturer, and she is the sole breadwinner for herself and her son.
Here, she sits in a grove of apple trees, representing abundance and her connection with nature. She sits atop a coin, symbolic of material success, and looks down at her son with love and care.
The King of Coins is a symbol of leadership, discipline, security, and abundance; reversed, it represents stubbornness and an obsession with wealth and status. Naturally, I chose Mrs. "Professionalism" Harshwhinny to embody this card -- she's a stickler for the rules and doesn't back down easily.
She holds a golden coin to her barrel, emblematic of her power in the material realm over obtaining and maintaining wealth. The grapes in the background are symbolic of growth and luxury. The King of Coins has amassed great personal wealth and power, and she takes great pride in that.
Coming soon; the suit of Cups!
-6&7
Not much to add in the way of witty commentary this time, but some excellent stuff. It is interesting to note that very nearly everypony chosen for this suit is an earth pony. It makes sense; that is the tribe best known for honest labor and a muzzle-to-the-grindstone work ethic.
This is actually also the suit associated with elemental earth, making it doubly appropriate. I didn't even do it consciously, it just kinda happened and I only realized it halfway through the process.
I have to admit I have very little knowledge of the meaning of the Minor Arcana, as in they take a backseat in Persona, with their appearance entirely for gameplay purposes with no symbolism, so I can't comment on that front, but regardless of my lack of familiarity these are all still amazing.