Six of Wands Key Words#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Six 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 | Victory, triumph, recognition |
Reversed | Failure, losing, broken promises, fame-hungry |
Yes or No | Yes |
Numerology | 6 |
Element | Fire |
Planet | Sun |
Sign | Leo |
Six of Wands Tarot Card Description#
To fully understand the Six of Wands tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism.
Riding through a crowd with a crown of laurel on his (or her) head, the horseback rider’s face is turned away.
Because of this, it is impossible to tell if he is a man or woman, but what is clear is that he or she is prevailing against all corners.
Laurel symbolizes victory and triumph, as does the ring of flowers attached to the top of the wand in the rider’s hand.
The blue sky above represents a new day without physical or emotional storms. Although it seems that success is the victor’s alone, a crowd of admirers is there to witness the champion’s shine.
With head held high, the rider’s facial expression shows both confidence and pride. Is this a good thing? Perception is key.
Upright Six of Wands Meaning#
Public praise, awards, recognition for success, applause for a job well done, and being given a pat on the back: these are all outcomes connected with the Six of Wands.
Many times, it may feel like others don’t notice our hard work. Maybe your significant other or children seem unappreciative.
Perhaps your boss acts like the effort you give is meaningless or you have family members who take you for granted. If so, use the card’s recognition theme to consider what evidence would show that the situation is improving.
The Upright Six of Wands symbolizes success in the presence of onlookers. Recognition is a theme of the card, not a guaranteed outcome. You deserve it.
Money and Career#
The Six of Wands is traditionally favorable and associated with recognition, but it does not forecast improvement in every area of life. If you are in a career that puts you in the public eye, the card can reflect a desire for greater public acknowledgment. If you aren’t, maybe you should be.
Regardless of what field you are in, promotions, educational achievements, and financial recognition may be themes if the Six of Wands represents you in a reading.
If this victor presents himself as someone else, the same sentiment rings true. Working with capable people may strengthen your learning and opportunities, without securing your own success.
The Six of Wands suggests success in financial matters, as well. Do not use the card to time an investment; assess the company, product, costs, and risks independently.
Of course, you should complete your due process and make sure the deal is sound, but do not let a favorable reading substitute for due diligence. No return is guaranteed.
Love and Relationships#
The Six of Wands in a love spread can symbolize shared pride and stability in a relationship. It does not establish your partner’s feelings or guarantee a shared outcome.
Use the card to reflect on how support and care are actually being expressed when obstacles arise.
If you have been experiencing relationship issues in the past, the card can reflect a wish for change. Time and attention may help, but the relationship’s outcome depends on both people and the circumstances.
If you are single, the Six of Cards can express openness to a supportive new connection. It cannot predict a soulmate or define a future partner.
You are ready to love and be loved in a new relationship while keeping expectations grounded in what another person actually says and does.
Health and Spirituality#
If you are dealing with depression, anxiety, or a physical condition, the Six of Wands can symbolize recognition of effort and support in health-related questions. It cannot predict recovery or a medical miracle; seek appropriate professional care.
For example, someone experiencing abuse might use the card as a prompt to seek concrete support, but it cannot guarantee safety or escape. Contact a trusted person or qualified local service when it is safe to do so.
Six of Wands Reversed Meaning#
In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Six of Wands tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The reversed Six of Wands can symbolize disappointment, a setback, or fear of failure.
The reversal can symbolize disappointment in someone you looked up to; it is not proof that they have or will let you down. If this is the case, you can’t quit now.
Success and failure are both a part of life, and the latter can be a game-changer. As Shah Rukh Khan puts it, “Success is not a good teacher, failure makes you humble.”
This quote fits well with the Reversed Six of Wands since the card can also symbolize an excess of confidence and the need to humble one’s self.
It is essential to live a life of gratitude and not let success go to our heads. There is a fine line between believing in your abilities and becoming so self-important that you value achievement over all else. In what way can you find balance?
Six of Wands: Yes or No#
When upright, the Six of Wands in a yes or no spread is yes. Traditionally this is a favorable lean, but it cannot make success inevitable.
However, if the reversed Six of Wands is pulled, the answer is usually no, or at least not at this time.
If this is the case, you should take a step back to look at whether your wants are realistic.
If you are confident that what you desire is best, look for an alternative route to achieving your goal.
Six of Wands and Astrology#
The Six of Wands is connected to the zodiac sign Leo. Consider this sign as the Patriarch who is generous but also loves to be admired.
Leo is ruled by the Sun and shows our ability to shine and express our true gifts and confidence.
Important Card Combinations#
The Six of Wands is all about victory, triumph, and recognition. Also in combination with other cards, success is the main theme. Look for the other cards surrounding the Six of Wands to learn more about what kind of success and what to look out for.
Six of Wands and the Fool#
When the Six of Wands connect with the Fool, the pairing emphasizes optimism and initiative. It does not guarantee that a selected venture will succeed. What does your heart desire the most? Make the answer to this question your focus.
Six of Wands and the Lovers#
The Lovers card, when paired with the Six of Wands, can symbolize a relationship in which mutual choice and recognition matter. It cannot identify ‘the one’ or predict when a romance will begin.
Sure, every relationship has its challenges, but like the man riding through the streets on this sixth card, the pair can invite reflection on how the relationship handles conflict.
Six of Wands and the Devil#
When the Six of Wands and the Devil appear alongside one another, ambition, visibility, and material temptation can become themes in business.
If you are holding a position at your job, the pair can reflect ambition and a strong wish to accomplish your goals. Judge progress by evidence rather than treating failure as impossible.
For the entrepreneur, the pair can prompt an entrepreneur to examine a possible venture. Evaluate demand, costs, and risk independently; the cards cannot forecast financial success
Jump in with both feet and trust yourself: keep the ambition grounded in evidence, limits, and the possibility of failure.
Six of Wands and The World#
This duo symbolizes confidence and recognition in educational matters. It cannot predict scores or scholarship decisions.
If you are not in school at the moment, now is a great time to get enrolled in a new class or to explore a convention to sharpen the skills that you already possess.
The combination with the World card can connect education with career ambition, without guaranteeing either outcome.
Six of Wands and the Tower or Five of Cups#
With the Tower or Five of Cups, the Six of Wands can symbolize disappointment, a humbling setback, or fear of loss. It does not predict defeat or the end of a relationship.
As with any setback, we may not be able to control every outcome, but we can control our reactions to current and future events.
By accepting a loss gracefully and then getting right back in the game, you increase your chances of being successful in the future.
Six of Wands and Five of Swords#
Are you too hard on yourself? With the Five of Swords, the Six of Wands can raise questions about self-criticism or conflict around recognition.
Harsh self-talk and harmful coping habits may add strain, though they should not be treated as the sole cause of a difficult situation.
Self-worth can support constructive action, but it does not make every desire achievable or determine an outcome.
Six of Wands and the Chariot or Nine of Cups#
It is your time to shine! In this pairing, the Chariot adds determination to the Six of Wands theme of visible achievement, but neither card guarantees victory or recognition.
Are you prepared for the possibility of acclaim or attention that the pairing symbolizes with having your day in the sun?
Get ready to hold your head up high. The Six of Wands is preparing you to go out with a bang!
Six of Wands and Knight of Pentacles#
The Six of Wands and the Knight of Pentacles can symbolize confidence around a carefully planned career change.
Have you been considering changing jobs or careers completely? Use the pairing to examine the option, not as evidence that this is the perfect time to change careers.
If you have been sitting on your hands waiting around for a sign, use the pairing as a prompt to review your evidence and options. If a change still makes sense, update your resume and prepare deliberately.
Six of Wands and Ace of Wands#
If you see the Six of Wands and the Ace of Wands together in a reading, the pairing can symbolize confidence around a new beginning without assuring success.
Perhaps you have been considering moving to a new town or getting into a new social circle. The cards cannot determine whether a move or social change is a good decision; examine the costs, risks, and practical fit.
Although this may be a scary decision for you to make, if you have examined all the angles and you still want to move forward, you should do it.
Six of Wands Tarot Cards#
The description of the Six 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 Six of Wands cards to this article.
Christina Hess via Behance.net 
Eugene Smith via Behance.net 
Spark of Joy Tarot 
The Modern Way Tarot
What do you think of the Six of Wands?#
That’s all for the Six 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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