The Five of Wands tarot card speaks of the energy of a team in conflict. It refers to a situation in which multiple people may be in competition against each other. The card often point to a power struggle or a conflict of ideas. It symbolizes the idea of fighting for one’s own interests, and sometimes connotes a sense of competitiveness. The card can represent a conflict between two groups, or potential conflict between two sides, and is thought to suggest the struggle to maintain peace and harmony in tense and unpredictable environments.
Interpretation and Symbolism
The Five of Wands tarot card is stylized with five wands that cross to form an X-shape, and the X is usually surrounded by a number of stars. This represents the greater cosmic struggle between multiple forces at work in the environment. The center wand crossing the top of the other four wands symbolizes the courage to maintain peace and balance within the struggle, and the starry sky signifying the unknown possibilities of the future. The four wands crossed on the outside of the card represent the different perspectives and arguments that are locked in battle.
The number five of this card speaks to a need for movement. It suggests an energetic environment in which things are constantly changing. It also points to a level of complexity and intricacy in the current state of things. The card is also not without its sense of tension and drama, as the wands in conflict are indicative of a competitive, chaotic atmosphere.
Upright Position
When the Five of Wands appears in the upright position, it can indicate a time of great optimism and enthusiasm. The wands crossing can symbolize the competing interests in one’s life, though these can also be seen as opportunities for growth and development. It could be a message to embrace new challenges that come one’s way. It encourages strength and courage to move through difficult times, and suggests that prevailing through challenges can bring new insight and perspective. In a career or business context, the Five of Wands suggests that the challenges at hand are necessary in order to reach a higher level of success.
This card can also suggest a need to pause and reflect, and to not be too hard on one’s self. It may be indicating an imbalance in one’s life, and it’s wise to take some time to re-assess and address any problem areas. The chaos of the card can represent a mental state of unrest and confusion.
Reversed Position
The reversed Five of Wands can have a different interpretation entirely. It can point to being stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts or inner turmoil. It can also serve as a warning to be wary of potential conflicts, and to be aware of one’s own feelings and behavior. This card reversed can often indicate a need to be honest and to be fair with others. It can point to a person feeling overwhelmed by a certain situation or unable to keep up with the demands of a certain project. In a relationship context, this card asks to be mindful of the dynamism and energy in the relationship, to make sure it is balanced, and to be open and honest with the other person.
Desire for Inclusion
The enthusiasm indicated by the upright position of this card can also point to a desire for inclusion – a sense of negotiation and compromise within a team or group. This can be a great time to find a moment of unity with those around you, and to come together to find common ground. In the world of business or career, the upright Five of Wands can suggest a competitive environment where people are scrambling to be seen or heard. The person seeking to unify the team has both an opportunity for a leadership role, but also needs to be mindful of potential disagreements or rivalries amongst the team.
The reversed position of this card may also be indicating a person’s fear of being excluded or left behind, or of not being heard or taken seriously. It can also represent a person being timid when faced with the possibility of taking a lead role, or a fear of failure that’s preventing them from taking more risks. This card invites individuals to take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture, and to embrace the organization or a team with a sense of unity and inclusion.
Lesson of the Card
The Five of Wands invites an exploration of the various components of a given situation, and a need to look at all the perspectives and understand what is really at stake. This card speaks to the struggles of competition or conflict, and how important it is to understand both sides of the story. It encourages us to strive for harmony and to question our relationships with others, and it points to the need to work together to create a unified outcome.
The card also reminds us to take risks from time to time, and to not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the potential for failure. It suggests being mindful of the competitiveness of situations, but to also understand that the conflicts of one’s life can bring unique insight and valuable learning opportunities. Ultimately, the Five of Wands serves as a message of courage and cautious optimism.
Self-Responsibility
Complex situations or relationships are often built on the idea of self-responsibility, it is important to recognize and to own one’s mistakes. It is necessary to learn how to manage conflict and compromise with others, to find ways to create beneficial agreements and to maintain them. The Five of Wands can indicate a deeper understanding of what it takes to be an effective team player, and it can be a call to authenticity and to be honest and genuine about one’s own intentions and needs.
The reversed position of this card may remind us to be assertive when needed, and to be mindful of the potential for self-sabotage. It encourages us to stay humble and to continue learning from one’s successes and failures alike. It also speaks to self-preservation in the face of adversity, and to find a way to maintain balance even in chaotic environments. Above all, it suggests that challenging individuals to be mindful and to have integrity can be an important part of being part of something bigger than oneself.
The Shadow Self
The Five of Wands can also represent stillness, not just in contrast to its chaotic upright position, but in terms of one’s own relationship with their environment. When it appears in the reversed position, the card may be a reminder of the shadows that we all tend to carry within us, those parts of ourselves that we are often not proud of. It can symbolize our fear and worry, the feelings of not fitting in, and how our inner voices can sometimes spiral into rage and despair.
But the reversed Five of Wands may also remind us to be gentle with ourselves. It can urge us to look at the bigger picture, to observe and accept all the different feelings that come with navigating a complex environment. It can remind us to tend to those aspects of ourselves that might otherwise get ignored, to remember that chaos and uncertainty can sometimes bring great opportunities for renewal and transformation.
Learning to Adapt
Ultimately, the Five of Wands speaks to the idea of learning to adapt in the face of the chaos of life. It reminds us to be bold in our choices, to take risks when necessary, and to remain open to change and the possibilities of the unknown. The card also invites us to be mindful of the ever-changing dynamics of our relationships and our careers, and to remain conscious of the impact of our actions, of our decisions, and of on the environment we inhabit.
The Five of Wands suggests a need for both patience and courage in the midst of conflict or chaos. It directs us to stay present to the moment and to remain aware and open to the potential for new solutions, to the potential to break through our own limitations and to reinvent ourselves in the face of adversity.