The Suit of Wands - 'Passion & Inspiration'
In the vast majority of modern Tarot decks the Suit of Wands immediately follows the Major Arcana and is associated with the element of Fire.
Wands personalities are filled with intensity, fiery energy, passion, and spontaneity. It's the suit of creativity, creation, swift movement and action. When Wands appear, things are about the get really crazy and interesting.
ACE OF WANDS - Genesis
KEYWORDS
Passion. Fire. Energy. Creation. Inspiration. Vitality. Health. Conception. Birth.
THE LIGHT
The Ace encompasses the primal energy of life, creation and vitality. It marks the moment when inspiration strikes, and the fires of creativity are unleashed. It represents exciting new beginnings, vital force, passion and a healthy body.
This Ace can also literally indicate conception or the birth of a new baby. It can also indicate a sudden rise in temperature, either internal or external, literal or metaphorical.
THE SHADOW
When negatively positioned, the Ace of Wands can indicate stagnation, lack of inspiration, apathy and ill health. It underscores a need to find the spark that will light the fire in our lives once more. It can, however, also mean that things are getting too hot to handle and it's time for cooler heads to prevail. Trust our intuition will guide you in your interpretation.
✵
TWO OF WANDS - The Blueprints
KEYWORDS
Planning. Drafting. Preparation. Visualization. Strategy. Ideas taking shape.
THE LIGHT
After the initial burst of energy from the Ace, we have to learn to harness and channel that powerful force into something concrete. We begin outlining plans; drawing sketches; working towards turning the initial vision into a reality. The Two of Wands represents the beginning of the actual materialization of the abstract idea.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Two of Wands indicates a lack of direction and vision, poor planning, incomplete ideas, faulty design and lazy mistakes. It can also be a sign to just go with the flow, let things happen naturally and avoid resist making too many detailed plans.
✵
THREE OF WANDS - All in Good Time
KEYWORDS
Patience. Timing. Restraint. Looking towards the future. Waiting. Distance. Travel overseas. Longing. A perfect vantage point.
THE LIGHT
Once the idea has been solidified and there is a clear plan as to where we want to take it, we must wait for the right moment to set it all into motion. Timing is everything. We're looking out towards the future, visualizing the next crucial step, getting ready to tackle whatever is needed to succeed. Patience, calm and self-restraint are paramount at this time.
The Three of Wands can also represent physical distance and separation, as well as travel overseas. It can signify watching something or someone leave or waiting for something or someone to return at long last. It also indicates the need to pull back for some much-needed perspective or to find a vantage point to see the full picture.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Three of Wands indicates impatience, frustration and restlessness. It may point out the need to take action much sooner than anticipated.
It can also indicate a missed opportunity, a fatal lack of preparedness and unforeseen delays.
✵
FOUR OF WANDS - Party Time!
KEYWORDS
Celebrations. Parties. Social events. Festivities. A wedding.
THE LIGHT
This is the card of fun parties and joyful celebrations. Weddings; birthdays; promotions; neighborhood parties; social or professional events. It's time to celebrate and have a good time. It's probably the most positive and optimistic card in this suit after the Ace.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Four of Wands signifies private celebrations, small intimate gatherings, understated events and avoiding public spectacles. It can indicate being cast aside by our peers and being left out of the social circle. I may also point to cancelled plans or postponements.
✵
FIVE OF WANDS - Fight!
KEYWORDS
Strife. Fighting. Physical confrontations. Conflict. War. Defense mode.
THE LIGHT
When Fives appear it's rarely a good sign and the Five of Wands is no exception. Strife, physical fights, confrontation, conflict, even all-out war in the worst-case scenario, are associated with this card. It's definitely not a peaceful card, as it foreshadows aggressive and threatening behavior. Be ready for battle and, if you're not the aggressor, be prepared to defend yourself.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Five of Wands indicates a tendency to seek peace at all costs. It speaks of conflict resolution, diplomacy, harmony and consensus. It's a sign to lay down all weapons and start negotiating for a peaceful outcome to the problem.
✵
SIX OF WANDS - A Victory Lap
KEYWORDS
Victory. Success. Social recognition. Achievement. Celebrity.
THE LIGHT
This card is about victory, success and personal achievement. It indicates public recognition of our accomplishments. We're thrust in the limelight; all eyes are upon us, and we become an example to our peers.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Six of Wands signifies a fall from grace, an unexpected failure. What should have been our time to shine, suddenly becomes a cruel loss.
It can also indicate anonymity, shyness, introversion and refusing to be the center of attention.
✵
SEVEN OF WANDS - Stand Your Ground
KEYWORDS
Determination. Integrity. Strong convictions. Standing your ground. Pride. Fighting spirit.
THE LIGHT
After the intoxicating feeling of triumph from the previous card, it would be easy to feel that the battle is over and that we can rest on our laurels. But challengers and competitors inevitably show up to keep us on your toes. We may have to fight a little longer, work a little harder and, above all, stand our ground. This card is about facing adversity with determination, integrity, conviction and pride.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Seven of Wands finds us feeling weak, overwhelmed, debilitated and unable to stand up for ourselves. This puts our safety in jeopardy and leaves us at risk of enduring all manner of attacks from others. It can also mean that we need to be more flexible and seek compromise in our interactions with others.
✵
EIGHT OF WANDS - Unstoppable Momentum
KEYWORDS
Speed. Momentum. Swift movement. Travel by air. Instant communication.
THE LIGHT
Things pick up dramatically when the Eight of Wands appears. Any endeavor will gather huge momentum and come to fruition much sooner than expected. This card is about speed, movement, fast action and swift changes.
It can also indicate air travel; instant messaging in the form of email or texting; breaking news or new information.
It can also indicate air travel; instant messaging in the form of email or texting; breaking news or new information.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Eight of Wands indicates obstruction, an overall slowdown, big delays and forced inactivity. Messages and news travel slowly and may result in miscommunication. It may also mean flight delays or cancellations.
✵
NINE OF WANDS - Take a Break
KEYWORDS
Taking a break. Rest. Resilience. Courage. Perseverance. Gathering your strength.
THE LIGHT
As the Nine of Wands appears we're feeling very tired yet determined to continue on our journey. This is the card of courage, resilience and perseverance. Even as we're beginning to feel a loss of momentum, we refuse to give up, no matter what may stand in our way. It's time to take a much-needed break, rest a while, regain our strength and then carry on forward with renewed purpose.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Nine of Wands brings overwhelming fatigue and the need to throw in the towel. We no longer feel the fight is worth the sacrifice. The struggle has become unbearable, and we may be tempted to give up, often mere inches from our goal.
✵
TEN OF WANDS - My Load is Heavy
KEYWORDS
Oppression. Heavy burdens. Pressure. Physical and mental fatigue. Burnout. Obstacles. Stubborn mind. Physical strength.
THE LIGHT
We carry a heavy burden and are feeling a sense of unbearable oppression. This card indicates that we have taken on a whole lot of responsibility, either by choice or circumstance, and the weight of it is taking on a heavy toll on both our body and spirit. And yet, despite the huge weight, we carry steadily on. This card can indicate that we're dangerously close to the breaking point and nearing total burnout.
It can also represent an obstacle in our path. Getting over or around it could be difficult and extremely trying. We'll need all our strength and energy, but we will get there. The Ten of Wands is a constant reminder that anything worth having rarely comes easy.
THE SHADOW
The shadow Ten of Wands represents a reversal in what was initially a trying situation. All at once our load is lighter and it becomes easier to carry on. We're released from the constant pressure to perform and no longer feel that sense of oppression.
This card can also represent a refusal to do the hard work needed to achieve our goals and it may have adverse consequences in the long run. It can also underscore the need to let go and remove ourselves from a situation that is obviously becoming too much for us to deal with on our own.
All images in this post feature the 'Terra Volatile' Tarot by Credo quia Absurdum.