Five of Wands
Opinions collide, but competition can sharpen everyone. Spar without losing respect.
- Card
- Minor Arcana · Wands (Fire)
- Upright keywords
- Competition, Clashing opinions, Healthy rivalry, Conflict
- Reversed keywords
- Pointless conflict, Infighting, Avoiding a fight, Reconciliation
- Yes or no
- Depends on conditions
Traditional correspondences Golden Dawn: Lord of Strife / Thoth: Strife / 1st decan of Leo · Saturn / Sephirah: Geburah (Severity)
Upright meaning
A time when opinions clash. Competition can help you grow.
Five young people wave wands at each other in a scuffle that looks more like a game than a real battle. The Five of Wands is competition, debate and the friction of different egos. Upright, it can be healthy: brainstorming, sport, rivalry that pushes everyone to improve. Stand your ground but keep it fair, and listen as well as argue.
Reversed meaning
You’re tired of pointless fighting. Look for a way to make peace.
Reversed, the conflict either becomes draining and pointless, or ends. You may be avoiding a necessary disagreement, or tired of constant bickering. Look for common ground, or step back from a fight that isn’t worth having.
For ways of reading reversed cards, see how to read reversals.
Love
Playful sparring, or friction from different expectations.
Arguments that go nowhere. Find what you agree on.
Work
Competition, debate and a busy, noisy team.
Office politics or burnout from conflict.
Money
Competition for resources. Be sharp but fair.
Disputes over money. Seek a fair solution.
Relationships
Lively disagreements that clear the air.
Petty quarrels. Let some things go.
Health
Energy for sport and challenges.
Stress from tension around you.
Tarot does not diagnose physical conditions. If you have symptoms that worry you, please see a doctor.
Mind and spirit
Learning from different viewpoints.
Inner conflict. Make peace with yourself.
As a person
A competitive, energetic person who loves a debate.
Someone who stirs up trouble.
Timing
Clashes and competition may last days or weeks, but not long. In the calendar, late July to early August is also a guide (roughly July 22 to August 1).
Advice
Compete fairly and learn from others.
Step back from fights that aren’t worth it.
Questions to ask yourself
- What is this conflict really about?
- What can I learn from those who disagree with me?
- Is this fight worth my energy?
A common misreading
The Five of Wands isn’t usually a serious battle. It is friction and rivalry, often more noise than harm.
The story of this card
Five unsettles the stability of the Four. The fire that rested now flares as different wills test themselves against each other.
The Waite deck’s picture and symbols
In the Waite deck five youths in different clothes brandish wands in a mock fight. No one is hurt, and their poses suggest sport as much as conflict.
History and differences between traditions
The Golden Dawn named it Lord of Strife, and both Waite and Crowley kept the theme of struggle among equals.
Words for today
I can disagree and still respect others.
I choose my battles wisely.