Five of Wands Tarot Card Meaning

This Tarot card depicts a mock contest—five young individuals energetically waving their staffs. Considering the exaggerated poses and the relaxed expressions of the participants on the Tarot card, it suggests not a serious conflict but rather a playful competition or a light-hearted game. The scene captures the primary meaning of the Five of Wands—you'll find yourself engaged in a struggle, but you should approach it as if it's a game.

The influence of this Tarot card mainly extends to the realm of career and finance. Depending on the surrounding cards, it can indicate enthusiasm at work, a desire to take on a leadership role within a team, or a call to "measure strength" with colleagues. On the flip side, it may also signify a relentless drive to achieve superiority over others by any means necessary.

In any case, when the Five of Wands appears in a reading, it heralds a challenging and restless period in life, where all your energy and time will be focused on struggles and confrontations with those around you.

This might manifest as heated discussions, disagreements, or verbal skirmishes where you'll need to defend your point of view. Alternatively, it could involve intense training for victory in a sports competition. Or perhaps it will push you to enhance your skills and talents, acquire new knowledge, and remember loads of information to win a contest.

The most demanding competition appears in business—this Tarot card suggests that it might require significant financial sacrifices and risky decisions.

Key Meanings of the Upright Five of Wands

• Struggle, competition, opposition, achieving financial gain through rivalry, confrontation.
• Conflict with partners and colleagues, standing up for interests, learning, coaching, training, development of talents and abilities.
• A strong desire to become wealthy, battling for riches, overcoming obstacles, changing jobs.

The reversed Five of Wands Tarot card signifies intense competition and conflict, but approached through the most dishonest and deceitful means. Everything might be at play: fraud, intrigue, manipulation, cunning tricks, deceit, spreading false rumors, damaging reputations, or legal battles.

This unpleasant and exhausting situation foretold by the reversed Five of Wands can lead to a disheartening outcome — loss, dishonor, financial setbacks, and the overwhelming bitterness of defeat.

The reversed Five of Wands card is a clear signal to pay heightened attention to your finances and business affairs. It encourages you to analyze your behavior in the business world. It’s possible that your adversaries and competitors are not idle and are secretly plotting against you.

Or perhaps you yourself are resorting to unscrupulous methods in your climb to career success and financial security, metaphorically stepping over others. In such cases, the victory could come at too high a price—not necessarily in money but in health, good name, and peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.

The reversed Five of Wands card urges you not to forget about honesty and dignity. Consider any struggle as a game where someone wins and someone loses. And every loss is also an outcome that enriches you with new experiences, helping you avoid mistakes in the future!

Key Meanings of the Reversed Five of Wands Card

• Conflicts, arguments, aggressive discussions, and confrontations.
• Intrigues, manipulations, deceptions, leading others astray.
• Financial disputes, fraud, dubious benefits, court proceedings.

In love readings, the upright Five of Wands carries a worrying meaning. It suggests a state of confrontation—gentle feelings seem to melt away under the pressure of arguments and conflicts.

It might be that both partners have lost their illusions and now feel irritated by behaviors or habits in each other that once seemed endearing. Alternatively, an outsider could be meddling in the relationship, offering harmful advice and actions that stir chaos and misunderstanding between the lovers. The best course of action is to shield your home and relationship from outsiders.

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

When Reading About a Suitor or Loved One

When reading about a suitor or partner, the upright card indicates that your chosen one is a fighter for their happiness! They are not deterred by competition. They will boldly enter the fray to win the heart of the person they love—even if it mistakenly belongs to someone else.

The reversed card suggests that in love and shared life, your suitor always wants to feel like they're in first place. Their opinion is seen as the only correct one, and their partner must acknowledge this once and for all.

In business Tarot spreads, the Five of Wands represents intense struggle, rivalry, and competition. You might be facing an important challenge that will require your utmost focus and responsibility to resolve successfully.

This is a test of endurance, offering a chance to apply all your professional knowledge and experience in practice and prove your leadership to others. However, remember that excitement should be kept in check — try not to get carried away and rely not just on luck, but primarily on your own strengths.

In a reversed position, this card advises against hasty actions and encourages you to evaluate the situation soberly.

When drawn upright in a reading about a person, the Five of Wands signifies someone with strong leadership potential who strives to be at the forefront. They are successful and constantly seeking new challenges, even if it means engaging in competitive battles.

In its reversed position, this card represents an ambitious individual who has many gifts but lacks the ability to smoothly get along with others, particularly colleagues and partners. As they pursue their goals, they are prepared for opposition from those around them.

When upright, this card encourages you to dive into competition, rivalry, or any competitive endeavor around you—you have every chance to shine.

If the card appears reversed in a reading, it advises you to avoid arguments, competitions, or confrontations with others in the near future—it could lead to intense conflict.

If the card appears upright, the outlook for your situation is generally favorable. You will achieve your goals, aided by a healthy sense of competition and the ability to engage with those around you.

In a reversed position, the forecast for your situation is less clear-cut. Conflicts with others may pose obstacles. It's important to learn how to compromise in time!

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.