Five of Wands Tarot Card Meaning

This Major Arcana of the tarot depicts a pretend contest - five young individuals enthusiastically wave their wands. Considering the contrived poses and relaxed facial expressions of the participants on the tarot card, this is not a serious battle, but rather, a sporting fight or a playful game. The storyline conveys the essential meaning of the Five of Wands - you will be drawn into a struggle, but you should treat it as a game.

The influence of this tarot card mainly extends to the realm of career and finances, and depending on the neighboring cards, it can denote either enthusiasm in work, the desire to secure a leading position within the team, and a call to "match strengths" with colleagues, or a painful longing to achieve superiority over others by any means necessary.

In any case, the appearance of the Five of Wands tarot card in a spread foretells a challenging and restless period in life, when all your strength and time will be directed towards struggle and opposition with those around you.

This may manifest as an aggressive discussion, disagreements and barbed remarks, where you have to defend yourself to assert your viewpoint. It could result in exhaustive training for victory in a sports tournament. Or it might push you to develop your skills and talents, acquire new knowledge, and memorize a mass of information to win a contest.

Competition in business appears the harshest - this Major Arcana of the tarot indicates that it may demand significant material sacrifices and risky decisions.

Key Meanings of the Upright Five of Wands Card

• Struggle, competition, confrontation, achieving financial gains through rivalry, competition, collision.
• Conflict with partners and colleagues, defending interests, learning, coaching, training, development of talents and abilities.
• Immense desire to become rich, battle for wealth, overcoming obstacles, job transition.

The reversed Five of Wands tarot card also signifies fierce competition and struggle, but conducted through the most dishonest and despicable means. Everything is fair game: fraud, intrigue, manipulation, cunning tricks, deceit, spreading false rumors, undermining reputation, and legal disputes.

The unpleasant and exhausting situation predicted by the reversed Five of Wands card may have a dismal outcome - defeat, disgrace, and financial losses will engulf you, making you feel the full bitterness of failure.

The reversed Five of Wands tarot card is a clear signal to pay increased attention to your financial affairs and business, to analyze your own behavior in the business sphere. Likely, your opponents and competitors are not resting and are secretly plotting against you.

Or perhaps you are the one using underhand tactics, climbing to career heights and financial prosperity over the heads of rivals. In the latter case, the price for victory may be too high to pay, and not necessarily in money, but potentially with health, reputation, tranquility – both your own and that of your loved ones.

The reversed Five of Wands tarot card calls for not forgetting about such concepts as honesty and dignity, and treating any struggle as a game, where someone inevitably wins and someone loses. And every loss is also a result that enriches you with new experiences and helps avoid future mistakes!

Key Meanings of the Reversed Five of Wands Card

• Conflicts, quarrels, aggressive discussions, and confrontations.
• Intrigue, manipulation, roundabout tactics, deception.
• Financial disputes, fraud, dubious gain, court proceedings.

In love readings, the upright Five of Wands card carries an alarming meaning. A state of confrontation is evident - tender feelings are literally melting under the onslaught of quarrels and conflicts.

Perhaps both partners have lost their illusions and rose-colored glasses, and now feel irritated by the behavior or habits of their other half that once charmed them. Or a third party has interfered in the relationship, trying to sow discord between the lovers with their harmful advice and actions, introducing chaos and misunderstanding. The best thing to do is to close your home and relationship from outsiders.

In a reversed position, the negative meaning of the card only intensifies, suggesting infidelity and betrayal by a loved one.

When divining a suitor or lover

In divination about a suitor or partner, the upright card indicates that your chosen one is a fighter for their happiness! Competition does not bother them. They will bravely go into battle to win the heart of the person they love - even if it mistakenly belongs to another.

The reversed card indicates that in love and in cohabitation, your chosen one always wants to feel first. Their opinion is the only correct one, and their partner should acknowledge this once and for all.

In business readings, the Five of Wands card signifies intense struggle, rivalry, and competition. It is likely that you are facing an important task that will require maximum focus and responsibility for successful resolution.

This is a test of strength, where you can apply all your professional knowledge and experience in practice and prove your leadership to others. However, moderation is key—try not to get carried away and rely not so much on the support of Fortune as on your own abilities.

In the reversed position, the card urges you not to take impulsive actions and to assess the situation soberly.

When reading this card for a person in an upright position, it indicates an individual with strongly pronounced leadership qualities, someone who strives to be first. Their achievements are high, but they desire new heights, even if it means engaging in competitive struggles.

In the reversed position, this card represents an ambitious person who possesses many talents but lacks the ability to peacefully get along with others, especially with colleagues and partners. While pursuing their goal, they are prepared to face resistance from those around them.

In the upright position, the card advises you to engage in competition, rivalry, or competitive struggles with others – you have every chance to showcase your abilities.

Appearing in the reversed position in a spread, the card advises you not to get involved in disputes, competitions, or rivalries with others in the near future – the situation could end in a sharp conflict.

If the card appears upright, the forecast for your situation overall is favorable. As a result, you will achieve your goals, aided by a healthy enthusiasm and the ability to compete with others.

In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is ambiguous. Conflicts with others could hinder your progress. Learn to compromise in a timely manner!

With card 0, the Fool - Lack of foresight, domestic quarrels, fanning animosity.

With card 1, the Magician - Serious attitude, readiness to fight, competition.

With card 2, the High Priestess - Intelligent interlocutors, healthy competition, acceptance of the new.

In combination with card 3, the Empress - Brewing confrontation, prejudices, conflict of interests.

With card 4, the Emperor - Misunderstandings in the family, temporary discord, one's own point of view.

With card 5, the Hierophant - Strained relations with parents, disagreements at work, mismatch of ideologies.

With card 6, the Lovers - Considering possibilities, listening to an interesting point of view, making a balanced decision.

With card 7, the Chariot - An argument with arguments, having one's own point of view, brainstorming or flirting.

With card 8, Strength - Ignoring criticism, ignoring the path of development, going one's own way or gaining experience.

With card 9, the Hermit - Minor disputes, searching for a better way, a work meeting or a family council.

With card 10, Wheel of Fortune - Outsmarting competitors, becoming a leader in an argument, finding valid arguments.

With card 11, Justice - Filing a complaint, having grievances, a righteous struggle.

With card 12, the Hanged Man - Looking for a way out of a difficult situation, seeking advice from a friend, attempting to make peace with household members.

With card 13, Death - A turning point in the conflict, a disagreement will turn out to be more significant, negligence that will bring many troubles.

With card 14, Temperance - Constructive criticism, discussing plans, the ability to hold a dialogue and find compromises.

With card 15, the Devil - Hostile environment, needing to stay on guard, dangerous gossip.

With card 16, the Tower - Quarrels and scandals, domestic violence or pressure, undeserved reproaches.

With card 17, the Star - Education, admission to an educational institution, a good chance to learn from experience.

With card 18, the Moon - Engaging in underhanded dealings, getting entangled in intrigues, receiving a challenge.

With card 19, the Sun - Productive conversation, consulting with colleagues or friends, exchanging experiences.

With card 20, Judgment - Hesitating in one's decision, softening principles, consulting with friends or colleagues.

With card 21, the World - Receiving a valuable lesson or experience, practical application of theoretical skills, joining a good team.

With the Ace of Wands — The desire to defeat opponents or competitors, minor disagreements, encountering bureaucracy.

With the Two of Wands — Public pressure, fighting against stereotypes, facing misunderstanding from others.

With the Three of Wands — Uncoordinated actions, obstacles in work, unhealthy competition.

With the Four of Wands — Striving for leadership within the family or the team, finding common ground with others, disputes regarding a flat or inheritance.

With the Six of Wands — Winning a dispute, persuading opponents to your side, confirming your authority and advancing.

With the Seven of Wands — Finding yourself in a difficult situation, being in the minority, facing the danger of defeat, encountering prolonged conflicts and conflicting interests.

With the Eight of Wands — Expressing disagreement, rapid development of confrontation, going against the system.

With the Nine of Wands — Negative experiences, being cautious, tense anticipation of events.

With the Ten of Wands — Losing a position, losing to a competitor or opponent, being left out or on the sidelines.

With the Page of Wands — Compromising, a prolonged dispute coming to an end, weighing the pros and cons.

With the Knight of Wands — A provocateur, getting involved in conflicts, discord within a team or in personal relationships.

With the Queen of Wands — Mature relationships, establishing order in the surroundings, a prevalence of discipline.

With the King of Wands — Constructive dialogue, considering the opinions of all parties, a shared strategy for behavior or development.

With the Ace of Swords — To win, use an unconventional approach, fight until victorious.

With the Two of Swords — A fight, complete misunderstanding and non-acceptance of the opponent, confronting deep ignorance.

With the Three of Swords — The collapse of ideals, quarrels, and insults, a public confrontation of relationships.

With the Four of Swords — Retreat and hide, lie low, get tired of the confrontation.

With the Five of Swords — Psychological pressure, remembering past failures, a painful blow to one's ego.

With the Six of Swords — Escaping from pursuit or debts, an unsatisfied audience, moving to start anew.

With the Seven of Swords — An evasive maneuver, a diplomatic approach, manipulation of opponents.

With the Eight of Swords — A victim of deception, self-consciousness, dependence on the opinions of others.

With the Nine of Swords — Struggling with depression or overcoming a difficult situation, an unhealthy environment, constant attacks.

With the Ten of Swords — Taking on someone else's responsibility, being made a scapegoat, the final termination of relationships.

With the Page of Swords — Conflicts between parents and children, youthful idealism, the challenges of growing up, rebelliousness.

With the Knight of Swords — Military actions, a dangerous profession, an uncompromising character, or a hot-headed young person.

With the Queen of Swords — Conflicts with authority figures, problems in education or career, attacks from ill-wishers.

With the King of Swords — Coming into the view of authorities, conflicts with law enforcement, fines, or enforcement actions.

With the Ace of Cups — Competition for love, rivalry in romantic relationships, popularity with the opposite sex.

With the Two of Cups — Lovers' quarrel, mutual grievances, misunderstandings, and unspoken feelings.

With the Three of Cups — Uncoordinated actions, making decisions for others, dissatisfaction among friends or colleagues.

With the Four of Cups — Arguing out of habit, being stuck in a vicious cycle, prolonged conflicts.

With the Five of Cups — Disillusionment in a struggle, prolonged dispute, receiving bad news regarding work.

With the Six of Cups — Resentment from the past, an old enemy or rival, intergenerational conflicts.

With the Seven of Cups — Ideological battle, promoting one's own beliefs, defending a dream.

With the Eight of Cups — A stressful situation, difficult conversation or justifications, recognizing one's shortcomings.

With the Nine of Cups — A self-satisfied winner, a braggart, a clever demagogue, or a cunning person.

With the Ten of Cups — Family troubles, disagreements in the workplace, a lack of trust.

With the Page of Cups — An untimely offer, loss of authority, foolish behavior.

With the Knight of Cups — Justified criticism, friendly advice, internal doubts.

With the Queen of Cups — Partners with different perceptions of the world, emotional incompatibility, misunderstanding, or false hopes for intimacy.

With the King of Cups — Internal struggle, dealing with conscience, reevaluating priorities, or facing an overwhelming task.

With the Ace of Pentacles — Winning a competition, achieving victory at a mass event, receiving a prize or financial reward.

With the Two of Pentacles — Arguments with a debtor, collecting a debt, uncoordinated expenses, accusations of wastefulness.

With the Three of Pentacles — Searching for clients, discussing contracts, a competitive industry.

With the Four of Pentacles — Borrowing money from relatives or a bank, accusations of being a coward, safeguarding your interests, and caring about order.

With the Five of Pentacles — Dealing with authorities, negotiating for subsidies or bonuses, making ends meet.

With the Six of Pentacles — Participating in a contest for a monetary reward, putting on a show or performance, taking an unconventional approach to profit.

With the Seven of Pentacles — Weighing the feasibility of financing, evaluating profits, comparing actual income with investments.

With the Eight of Pentacles — Diligent work, competing in professionalism, productive competition, gaining experience.

With the Nine of Pentacles — A challenging path to a lucrative contract, a coveted goal, overcoming the final obstacle.

With the Ten of Pentacles — Settling an inheritance, redistributing income within the family, spending on household needs.

With the Page of Pentacles — Insufficient funding, disputes over essential resources, increased interest rates on credit or tuition fees.

With the Knight of Pentacles — Entrepreneurial spirit, business interests, rapid career growth, and victory over competitors.

With the Queen of Pentacles — Occupying a profitable niche, a contentious woman, quarrel with someone influential.

With the King of Pentacles — Serving significant capital, struggling for control over a business, obtaining a high position or gaining influence.