Five of Wands Key Words#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Five of Wands card meaning, and its connection to love, work, and life, first a quick overview of the most important words connected to this Wands card.
Upright | Competition, disagreements, rivalry, challenges |
Reversed | Compromise, teamwork, harmony, solutions |
Yes or No | Maybe |
Numerology | 5 |
Element | Fire |
Planet | Sun |
Astrological Sign | Leo |
Five of Wands Tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Five of Wands tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism of this Wands card.
The image on the face of the Five of Wands is one of the most straightforward in the Tarot. Although there is always room for interpretation, the five figures depicted on the card appear to be in a contest or conflict.
Their raised wands are not being used as weapons but are stopping them from moving forward as they clash with one another.
Their aggression is bringing trouble, but no one seems willing to compromise. Is this a good thing? After all, only a battle brings forth a victor.
Look to the other cards in your reading to decide if this is a case of healthy competition or something that will bring about a setback.
Five of Wands Tarot Meaning#
The Suit of Wands is representative of the fire signs in Astrology, so it is no surprise that the Five of Wands symbolizes passionate struggles and firey conflicts.
Upright, the card can call attention to competition, disagreement, or inner conflict. Compare those themes with the situation rather than assuming that you are in conflict with the people around you.
Conflict can involve anger or contempt, but the card cannot establish anyone’s feelings or willingness to resolve it. Look to what the people involved actually say and do.
If this resonates with you, you must dig deep within to find a way to bring peace once again to your inner circle.
It is important to remember that constant arguing doesn’t solve problems, but rather it only adds anxiety and discord to your life and to the lives of the people you care about.
If you hope to gain freedom from the chaos in your life, you are the one that needs to extend an olive branch.
Now is the time to swallow your pride and use your communication skills to find the root cause of your fighting and to overcome it once and for all.
Money and Career Meaning#
The Five of Wands in a career context is notorious for representing workplace strife. Are you at odds with co-workers or your boss?
Are there lots of different opinions on the direction you should take moving forward? Now is a chance to show your skills.
What do you bring to the table? Don’t be afraid to present your ideas with confidence. Even if everyone doesn’t agree, giving your all can strengthen your contribution, even if the outcome isn’t 100 percent what you’re wanting.
In a positive reading, the Five of Wands represents healthy competition and the opportunity to prove yourself. If you want to earn a raise or move up the company ladder, prepare for some hurdles.
The card does not determine whether you will lose or come out on top.
You’ll need to focus all of your energy on the task at hand and find ways to set yourself apart from your rivals. May the best man win.
When it comes to finances, the Five of Wands can symbolize financial friction or competing demands. It does not establish how long a real financial problem will last.
Focus your energy on coming up with solutions rather than dwelling on the position the finances have placed you in. A practical plan may help you address it over time.
Love and Relationships Meaning#
When it comes to love and romantic relationships, the Five of Wands suggests that there is trouble in paradise.
If you are single, you might be finding it hard to stand out or see yourself in competition with others for the same mate.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. Authenticity can help you approach dating without unnecessary comparison, but it cannot guarantee that you will find a compatible person.
If you are in a relationship, the card can raise questions about outside pressure, but it is not evidence that anyone wants to interfere.
It can also invite reflection on jealousy, insecurity, or a competitive dynamic. Do not treat the card as proof of a partner’s motives.
If this is the case, find ways to come together and be a team. What brought you together in the first place? These are what you should focus on instead of the negative.
If you are constantly arguing with your partner or seem to be engaged in a battle of wills, you’ll need to make a decision.
Is it time to strengthen your resolve, compromise, or maybe even move on? Only you know the answer.
But one thing is sure: someone will need to bend a little if you hope to receive deliverance from this ailment.
Take a good look in the mirror and determine what you can do to bring the change you want to your partnership. It all starts with you!
Health and Spirituality Meaning#
When the Five of Wands appears in a health spread, it can symbolize strain or competing pressures. It cannot diagnose or predict an illness.
It could also serve as a warning that you need to take time for yourself to relax and decompress.
If you are taking on too many projects at once and it is overwhelming you, take a step back. If you are concerned about stress or blood pressure, seek evidence-based medical guidance rather than using the card to predict a condition.
Setting aside time to rest may support general well-being, but it is not medical prevention or treatment.
Are you caught up in negative thoughts and emotions? If so, consider how those feelings affect your daily well-being without assuming that they explain physical symptoms.
If you are wanting to improve in this area, find ways to reduce stress and embrace gratitude and positivity.
This is easier said than done when chaos is present, but focusing on supportive and constructive actions may make distress easier to navigate.
Keep in mind that the past cannot be changed, but you can move forward in any direction that you want. You can influence some choices and responses, but you do not control every circumstance or outcome.
Five of Wands Reversed#
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Five of Wands tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
The Five of Wands reversed has a unique message. It is one of the few Tarot cards that holds a more positive meaning when drawn upside down.
At this point, you may be exhausted, especially if you feel as if the conflicts you are facing at work or home will never end.
The Reversed Five of Wands Tarot description can suggest a wish to de-escalate internal or external conflict. A resolution still depends on the people and circumstances involved.
If the Five of Wands Reversed is drawn in the future position, it can represent a possibility of de-escalation through workable compromise.
What do you want most? If it is peace and harmony, you may have to consider losing the battle to win the war.
Five of Wands: Yes or No#
If the card appears upright in a Yes or No spread, the answer is maybe.
The Five of Wands, when used for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, represents competition and struggle that could still go either way.
This isn’t to say that what you are wanting won’t happen at a later date. The reversed card can symbolize chaos or conflict around the question, but it cannot determine whether moving forward will work.
Five of Wands and Astrology#
The Five of Wands is related to the zodiac sign Leo. The main characteristics of this sign are compassion and big-heartedness, consciousness, drive, and natural leadership. Leo is ruled by the Sun and shows our ability to shine and express our true gifts and confidence.
Important Card Combinations#
The Five of Wands stands for competition, disagreements, and challenges. However, when combined with other cards, this meaning can slightly change. Below you can find the most important Five of Wands card combinations.
Five of Wands and the Emperor#
The Five of Wands with the Emperor can symbolize conflict around authority or decision-making. It does not establish who is challenging whom.
Whether you are the rebel or the one facing the opposition, you must decide if you will hold your stance or cooperate. What is at stake here? You should consider each path carefully before you make a choice.
Five of Wands and the Three of Cups#
This pairing can symbolize envy or comparison, but it does not establish how you or anyone else feels.
The Five of Wands together with the Three of Cups serves as a reminder that although friendly competition is healthy, in excess, it can lead to unnecessary drama and confusion.
Five of Wands and The High Priestess#
Together with the High Priestess, the Five of Wands suggest the conflict is internal, and therefore, personal reflection and growth are in order.
Are there things about yourself or your situation that you are unhappy about? Getting in touch with your authentic self and trusting your own intuition alongside relevant evidence may help you choose a constructive next step.
Five of Wands and The Wheel of Fortune#
The card combination with the Wheel of Fortune tells you that now is the time to embrace your uniqueness and find ways to stand out from the crowd.
If you’re wanting a promotion, try to start a business, or take any part of your life to the next level, you’ll have to showcase what sets you apart.
This doesn’t mean changing who you are but instead highlighting the positive parts of you that make you (or your business) special.
Five of Wands and The Hanged Man#
Are you feeling left out or ‘out of the loop’? When paired with the Five of Wands, the Hanged man suggests isolation that isn’t of your own doing.
The key here is not to let what feels like rejection from others affect your wellbeing. It could be that their distancing isn’t personal.
To see if this is the case, try taking the first step and reaching out. If the rejection is a reality, accept your feelings and try to strengthen other connections that will help you feel whole again.
Five of Wands and Ace of Pentacles#
The Five of Wands together with the Ace of Pentacles can symbolize a practical opportunity or a renewed job search. It does not predict an interview or the end of unemployment.
If you hold a position that you are not happy in, now is the time to branch out. If you decide to pursue another role, assess the opportunity and prepare a strong application; the cards cannot determine whether or when you will land it.
Five of Wands and Seven of Cups#
When the Five of Wands and the Seven of Cups appear alongside one another in a spread, it serves as a warning against wasting time. If you have a project that you have been putting off, now is the time to stop procrastinating.
Gather all your energy and focus it on getting things done. Let actual progress, fulfillment, and well-being determine whether the effort is worthwhile.
Five of Wands Tarot Cards#
The description of the Five of Wands in this article is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. This doesn’t mean that I use other decks too. And there are so many stunning decks out there! Therefore, I’ve added some of my favorite Five of Wands cards to this article.
Spark of Joy Tarot 
Eugene Smith via Behance.net 
Modern Way Tarot
What Do You Think of The Five of Wands?#
That’s all for the Five of Wands Tarot card meaning! If you have pulled this card in your tarot spread, did the meaning make sense to your situation in life?
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