Ms. Joyce Tarot

I am taking on a music challenge where I find songs that match the spirit of each of the 78 cards in the Tarot. For the Five of Pentacles, I chose “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder.

The Five of Cups is often interpreted as a warning against having a “poverty mindset.” Yet, having financial problems is a real thing, regardless of social status. Furthermore, many people in some of the worst conditions make the most of their resources and strive to elevate their circumstances.

“Living for the City” describes the situation of a black family living in an urban environment, starting with the son. The family doesn’t have a lot of money, but the parents give the son an abundance of love:

A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain’t so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city

The parents both work long, hard hours. The sister walks a long distance to get to school, wearing worn out clothes that she has nearly outgrown, “but never are they dirty.”

And yet there’s more, including systemic racism and the scourge of crime. However, even in these conditions, the lyrics suggest that the situation is not entirely hopeless. It can be improved by taking decisive action:

I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel, nowhere could be much colder
If we don’t change, the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city

What do you think of this song choice? What songs remind you of the Five of Pentacles?