The traditional Tarot deck is comprised of 22 major arcana cards and 56 minor arcana cards, with the minor arcana cards split up into four suits. If you are new to Tarot, getting your head around all those cards can be overwhelming! Each card has its own meaning to learn and symbolism to discover. However, if you take your time going through each suit individually, you can gain a deep understanding of the Tarot.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the meaning of Wands. I recommend taking all the Suit of Wands cards from your Tarot deck and laying them out in front of you as you read this guide. Together, we can explore the energy and meaning of Wands and how you can use them to enhance your life.
Meaning of Wands: Symbolism and History
Tarot decks have been around since the 14th century, with their original purpose being playing cards. However, by the 18th century, they were used for divination, with spiritual meanings assigned to each card. Earlier Tarot decks developed in Europe, such as the Tarot de Marseille, have the names of clubs or batons for the Suit of Wands.
Over time, creators of tarot decks started to name this Suit the Suit of Wands, with the famous Rider Waite Tarot deck and the Thoth Tarot deck opting for this name. It was Aleister Crowley who associated the meaning of Wands with the element of fire and the action of the will in the Book of Thoth, published in 1944.
The cards in the Suit of Wands are associated with passion, energy, and drive. They are linked with creativity and expansion, giving us the power to express ourselves and move on our life path.
A Wand card appearing in your Tarot reading asks you to listen to your gut and allow your heart to guide you.
The Meaning of Wands and the Element of Fire
When wanting to understand the different suits of the minor arcana and the meaning of Wands, it is helpful to meditate on the element they are associated with. The Suit of Wands is associated with the element of fire. In spirituality, the element of fire governs creation, transformation, and power.
However, fire is also unpredictable. It can quickly change, transforming or destroying the world around it.
I always think that the meaning of Wands connects with the fire we have within us. Our passions, beliefs, and instincts. It reflects what makes us tick and what pushes us into action. Of course, this means we sometimes will listen to this fire instead of our mind. Is this always the right thing to do? Or do we need to balance that fire out with other energy?
Meaning of Wands: the First Ten Cards and Their Meanings
The Suit of Wands provides us with courage and guidance. Let’s journey through the first ten cards of the Suit of Wands and link them back to how we understand the meanings of Wands and its energy.
To really get to grips with the cards, it is helpful to reflect on their numbers. Tarot and numerology are intrinsically linked, with the numbers of every card holding significance. If you are learning Tarot, a little tip is: ‘number + suit = meaning.’
Ace of Wands
The Ace of each minor arcana suit holds its energy in its purest form and connects it with new beginnings.
The Ace of Wands signifies a beginning of an adventure, with passion and creativity driving you forward. When it appears in a reading, it asks you to take your first steps into your future, listening to your instinct to make the right descision.
Two of Wands
The Two of Wands holds the energy of the number two and the meaning of Wands. In Tarot, twos usually signify balance, cooperation, and division. If we add this to what we know about Wands, we can understand this card as reflecting planning ahead and making arrangements for your future. When it appears in a reading, it asks us to cooperate with the world and link with others to ensure our dreams and plans come true.
Three of Wands
The number three in Tarot usually signifies change and growth. When reflecting on what we know about the meaning of wands, we can understand the Three of Wands as pushing us forward to follow our hearts and move forward with our truth.
When a Three of Wands appears in a Tarot reading, it shows us that we have the power to succeed at our plans with personal growth and transformation.
Four of Wands
The Four of Wands is a card of celebration. It signifies good times, success, and connections with others. In Tarot, the number four brings us the energy of stability and structure. Because of this, the Four of Wands shows you that you are in a strong position right now. You have established yourself as someone following your heart and staying true to that inner fire.
Five of Wands
In Tarot, the fives often predict instability and struggles. The Five of Wands will usually appear in a reading when you are struggling with others, with competition and disagreement stopping you from moving forward.
Remember how we said that, sometimes, that inner fire we have could actually harm our progression in life? The Five of Wands asks you to compromise with your beliefs and ideals to find a solution to this conflict you are in.
Six of Wands
After the fight comes harmony, with sixes reflecting hope, victories, and improvement. They are peaceful and calm cards, signifying a time of stability and positivity.
The Six of Wands is a card of victory, appearing in a reading to represent a time of deserved success. Other people around you are applauding you right now, acknowledging your hard work. You have reached this point because you have listened to your instincts and used your gut to guide you.
Seven of Wands
In Tarot, the number seven reflects potential and ambition. You are nearly there with your goals. However, there may be some obstacles in your way.
The Seven of Wands is an interesting card. It represents a challenge, yet it shows you that you have the power to overcome it. The Seven of Wands has a strong message for you: stand your ground, use your fire, and defend your truth.
Eight of Wands
The Eight of Wands holds the numerical energy of eight and the meaning of Wands. The number eight brings us progression, transformation, and justice. When the Eight of Wands appears in a reading, it reflects a time of speed and growth. The challenges faced in the previous cards have cleared, and your eyes are focused on the future.
This card asks us to embrace change and stay true to ourselves.
Nine of Wands
In Tarot, nines symbolize intensity and climax. When considering this alongside the meaning of Wands, we can see the Nine of Wands representing a time of intense energy and passion.
The Nine of Wands reflects defense and usually appears in a reading when you need to take a moment to rest. You have been working hard to defend your truth and overcome the challenges you have faced. However, you may need to compromise a little to protect your emotional and mental health.
Ten of Wands
The number ten signifies completion or ending. However, not all these endings are positive. The Ten of Wands reveals a critical point of your life, with burdens and responsibilities overwhelming you. You are overextending yourself right now, and this needs to change.
It is time to put an end to your suffering by taking some of the load off. Work out what is important to you, and remember to prioritize your health and well-being.
Meaning of Wands: The Court Cards
Every Tarot suit also has four court cards. These are a little bit different from the first ten cards, as each can be interpreted in various ways.
Regarding court cards, it is helpful to see them as a family:
- Pages: the children of the Tarot. They hold youthful energy and are excited about what life offers them.
- Knights: the teenagers of the Tarot. They are all about action and progression, but they can be slightly erratic.
- Queens: the mothers of the Tarot. They are mature with an understanding of others. They are nurturing and supportive.
- Kings: the fathers of the Tarot. They reflect maturity, action, and leadership.
To understand the court cards, we combine the meaning of the person with the meaning of the suit.
Let’s look at the four court cards and connect them to the meaning of Wands.
Page of Wands
The Page of Wands signifies ambition and excitement. In a reading, it asks you to connect with your passions to progress. It is time to put yourself out there and embrace the adventure that awaits you.
Court cards can also represent people. As a person, the Page of Wands is a youthful and passionate individual who has a lot of confidence.
Knight of Wands
The Knight of Wands represents action and progression. It asks you to make changes to develop your passion, allowing you to move forward with speed. Adventure and success are on the horizon! Be bold and channel that inner fire.
As a person, the Knight of Wands represents a creative and dynamic individual. They may rush into things, but it always works out for them!
Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands signifies creativity and focus. In a reading, it asks you to be confident in your abilities and connect with others to help your passions flourish.
As a person, the Queen of Wands represents a confident and sociable person. They are the life of the party and are always there to support others with their passions.
King of Wands
The King of Wands reflects bravery, wisdom, and innovation. In a reading, it represents your power in a situation and the passion you have within to achieve your goals.
As a person, the King of Wands reflects a well-traveled and spirited person. They are a powerful leader who stays true to their values.
The Meaning of Wands in a Love Reading
Because the meaning of Wands reflects passion and exploration, they are often a welcome sight in love readings. They ask you to listen to your true wants and needs to guide you forward with love and romance.
The element of fire reflects so much of our love life. When we are in love, we are burning with passion and intimacy. Love, like fire, also transforms and changes. It can burn you, but it can light you up.
Wand cards in love readings might signify an intense connection with someone. The flame will burn bright, but it may be over quickly. They could also reflect a romance with a fire sign – Leo, Sagittarius, or Aries.
What Does It Mean When Your Tarot Reading Is Mostly Wands?
If your Tarot reading holds mostly Wands, the universe is telling you that you are driven by that voice inside you and have a fantastic zest for life. You are moving into your truth, understanding your purpose in life and what your dreams are.
If you rarely receive Wands in your Tarot readings, you may need to do some self-exploration to light that fire you have within. Turn inwards and explore your spirituality to enhance your understanding of yourself.
Follow the Meaning of Wands to Discover Your Fire
I hope this article has helped you understand the meaning of Wands and what they signify when appearing in a Tarot reading. These 14 cards hold incredible messages of guidance and self-discovery, allowing you to embrace your potential and move into your truth.
If you are learning Tarot and want more guidance, we have loads of great content for you. Check out our other Tarot related articles here:
- Learn how a daily Tarot practice will boost your skills.
- Explore the meaning of Pentacles and what these cards represent in readings.
- Confused about court cards? Our guide will help you understand these elusive cards.
- Find out how a Tarot journal will help you on your journey.
- Test out your skills with these easy Tarot spreads.