I have a more positive view of 4 Pents upright, it is conservative, yes, but not that penny pinching, grasping that many people think of. I think it's establishing security, holding on because it's things that make your life better and more secure. It's starting savings accounts and investing in the future, buying a home, making savings plans for college and trust funds, taking out life insurance... getting a membership at a health club, stocking up on vitamins. I think 4 Pents is learning the value of what is meaningful, neccessary and taking the precautions to ensure it lasts. It's treasuring and cherishing those things that give your life it's basis. It's also the basics of what creates a good foundation to build from.
4 Pents RX takes on the more negative qualities or lack of solidity.
It's possible it could mean insecurity and possessiveness, it might also be "penny-wise" and "pound-foolish"... like buying cheap stuff on sale that you don't use or falls apart and has to be replaced. I think the RX is more of the selfish, self-centered, hoarding quality and yet at the same time it could be the inability to establish a firm economic, grounded base. So in a way it could be "groundless", not rooted, instability and maybe drifting.
Since 4's are foundations, the reverse is that the foundation isn't solid, was flawed or never existed, or that the answer to the question is that it has no foundation, no grounds, no weight.
In some situations I could see it as giving the shirt off your back, being too generous... when you can't afford it. Like some people love to show off and spend way too much on others to show them a good time and then over extend themselves, mainly to create some sort of image.
Another thought is the inability to save or conserve, wastefulness or something that is like a leak, draining your resources. Something that is deteriorating.
So it could mean not to hold on so tightly, to let go of the things you've become too attached to, that they are only things and that you have to take a risk of some sort. Maybe being too conservative to the point where you stop all growth & development.
4 Pents has a lot to do with health and the RX could mean that things are taking it's toll... weight loss, fatigue, illness etc.
I realize that some of these observations seem contradictory, but I think they all hold for this card reversed.
Know when to hold 'em,
know when to fold 'em,
know when to walk away
and know when to run.
I'll bet it's knowing when to let go.