Wands

Suit of Wands — Meanings

Ace of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

Aceof Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire

Divinatory meaning:

Upright

The essence of fire; this card denotes a new job, career or enterprise is in the making for the querent. This card signals creativity, inventiveness, ambition and enthusiasm. It is a card that in principle symbolizes the beginning of something. It can be a birth, an idea, the starting point of a enterprise. Ace of Wands can mean the aggressive pursuit of new ventures. The foundation created for future successes, the person uses their intuition well, fertility and conception is possible. It is also a card of manhood and artistic innovation.

Reversed

Setbacks in a new endeavor. Lack of determination or selfishness may hamper a project's completion. A high indication of treachery prevalent. Disagreement, imminent danger as is loss of purity. Depending on where it falls in the spread it can indicate a false start, a cancellation of a plan, trip or business venture. The reversed Ace of Wands can also signal bareness, sterility, impotence, avarice and greed. Reversed it signals an over confidence that ends in tears. If the querent is a woman it can indicate that she has trouble with men. Reversed it can also mean clouded joy or fall, decadence, ruin and perdition to perish.

Two of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

IITwo of Wands

  • Yes/No: It depends
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire
Upright

The number two represents a union, the joining together of often opposing forces. The two thus represents a concretization of the energy represented in the Ace. The Ace of Wands signified the fiery energy of inspiration. The Two of Wands represents the beginning of clarity, the formulation of the spark of inspiration into an idea which can be carried out.

The Two of Wands represents a mature person who may provide you with assistance to obtain your desires. The person is hoping that something good is about to happen and wants to see it materialize. An offer is about to be presented. If you don't feel right about it or it isn't enough, don't sell yourself short or settle for less. There is something better on the horizon.

In practical terms this card indicates success that has been achieved through hard work. The querent has strength of character and is making sure that their ideas come to fruition. They use their power and wisdom responsibly as it was gained through experience. This card indicates wealth that is obtained legally and there are job related perks for this person. The Two of Wands means the person is taking control of their territory with action. They are making something their own. It represents the querent or the person in question making a statement of ownership.

Reversed

Naked ambitions know no bounds. Domination by others. A good beginning may turn against you. You are in for a surprise of some kind. Conceit, aloofness, losing strength, imprudence, weak defenses, losing momentum after a good start, disappointment, frustration, impatience, pride, short sighted goals, being blocked, disconnected, breakdown of negotiations, self-serving, sadness, loss of faith, second thoughts, empty success, things go sour, dominated by others, fear and weakness in the face of conflict, complacency are all associated with the reversal. It also implies that riches and fortunes are obtained illegally, dishonestly or by deception. Indicates the person has lost faith in both their own rationale and self; attainment of worthless ambition.

Three of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

IIIThree of Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire
Upright

The number Three represents the initial fulfillment of the union of opposites symbolized in the number two. When we see the III of Wands in a spread we know that our actions are increased to succeed.

The Three of Wands shows a person standing on a hill gazing far out into the distance. It indicates you in a position of strength as you control what happens around you. This is a card of vision and foresight—looking for greater possibilities. Be a visionary—dream beyond current limitations. Now is the time to accept your vision and be confident that you will achieve it. Move fearlessly into new areas. Dreams turn into reality through the circumstances. You are in the right place at the right time lending to your success. Successful ventures are launched and there is inspiration of original ideas. Your success lies in the courage of your convictions. Your plans and ventures are moving ahead.

Reversed

Lack of cooperation, wasted efforts, delays, or bad luck. Obstacles from outside in commercial or communication ventures. A creative block makes goals hard to reach. Over-confidence, pride, or arrogance may be at play. Be open to help and input from others, while watching out for exploitation by those who seek material gain. Possible betrayal by a person who had the power to aid an enterprise. Expectations set too high; reset goals to be more realistic. Difficulties in the exchange of goods or ideas as well with matters of trust. Failure to put plans into action. Trouble distinguishing between dream and reality—great plans that do not come to fruition; retreat into fantasy.

Four of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

IVFour of Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire
Upright

One of the most positive cards—general good fortune, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Harmony, balance, completion, and thus a time of peace and joy after often difficult effort. Celebration and ceremony upon completion. Optimism and joy. Relaxation. Now is a good time to move in new directions. Something is completed or something initiated. Contented home life. Prosperity. Harvest. A successful conclusion. Personal achievement, material well-being. Improvements to property or imminent move. Working with people. Celebration of recent good fortune; marriage or good solid business relationship; successful completion of the initial stage of a project; cooperation; coming together of ideas.

Also indicates marriage or a new romance; professional innovator; establishment of culture, refinement, charm, attractiveness and splendor; contentment through association with another in a romantic setting.

Reversed

Lack of commitment; shaky relationship; difference of opinion and a change in goals in a partnership; failure in initial stage of project; dissatisfaction and loss of tranquility; disorder; too many ideas to act upon. Can signal happiness in unconventional ways. Also implies guiding life by superfluous constraints and rules; traditions elevating pomp and ceremony. Can signal a rest period before successful completion.

Five of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

VFive of Wands

  • Yes/No: No
  • Zodiac: Leo
  • Planet: Sun
  • Element: Fire
Upright

Major competition; respect your opponent but stand up for your point of view. Refuse to be a victim. Fight the tendency towards frustration, anger, hate and prejudice. Represents a group committed to an end, but unable to agree on how to achieve it—each with an individual agenda. Challenges presented to any vision or creative effort by the world or competitors. After the joy of the Four, the struggles to define boundaries and understand one another begin. Warns of problems and upheavals that cannot be avoided, from minor irritations to tests requiring persistence and inner mental resources. Depicts combat and strife, though rivalry is not necessarily based on anger. With conflict cards may indicate heated arguments or even violence; otherwise, healthy competition that promotes business or an idea.

Reversed

Relief after conflict; now you can relax efforts a bit and reap benefits of promotional work. Anger worked through; more secure in relationships. Harmony in affairs; love of exercise and games; generosity; new business opportunity; victory after obstacles—yet beware trickery and deceit. Also can indicate trickery, hurt, fraud, defeat and ruin (often of the other party); avoid unnecessary competition and spiteful conversations; litigation that can be avoided.

Six of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

VISix of Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Leo
  • Planet: Sun
  • Element: Fire
Upright

Triumph and progress in your best interests; often arrives as good news permitting you to proceed with desires. New project, lifestyle or way of life; conditions of renewal approach and things come together. Represents achievement with public recognition—success celebrated by the community. Victory, success, out-of-town visitor, a trip or tour. With the Ace of Wands, can suggest a book-signing tour or international recognition; with the Eight of Pentacles, a successful sales representative. Overcome obstacles with tact and diplomacy rather than force.

Reversed

Rewards are delayed; bad news in the wake of victory; watch for a successful enemy. Indecision; surreptitious activity by rivals; fear about outcomes; delayed or possibly bad news.

Seven of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

VIISeven of Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Leo
  • Planet: Sun
  • Element: Fire
Upright

After success comes struggle to maintain position at the top. Expect competition and challenge. A boundary card—things have reached a point beyond which you will not go. Negotiation is over; to maintain integrity, you must be firm. At best, quiet firmness; at worst, confrontation driven by childish ego. In relationship spreads with the Three of Swords, discord of the worst kind. Positively, indicates opportunity requiring great skill; use courage and determination to win. Strength of nerve; great fortitude and courage in face of hardship. Success through sustained effort. A card of defense—the offense is strong and a powerful contender.

Reversed

Threat will pass you by—do not let others take advantage. Patience in the face of threats. Indicates indecision and retreat; loss through hesitation when the end is in sight. Turning away from opportunities due to fear of responsibility.

Eight of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

VIIIEight of Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Sagittarius
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire
Upright

Speed and rapid advancement. Haste could result in wrong decisions—have resources ready. You want to speed things up, settle a matter, or branch out. Affairs not completely set or determined yet. Focused motion; structure creating a narrow channel through which fiery energy rushes. Quick change and action; understanding and harmony; good news and communication. Time is right for facilitating success; swift end to delays. Favorable correspondence; travel or important trip. Generally hopeful.

Health notes: adrenal depletion; breathlessness; fertility; ribs; arteries; male sexual issues.

Reversed

Jealousy in the air. Expected message delayed. Do not become too bold. Business slows; love life at a standstill. Disputes and disagreements; great effort wasted by running out of steam. Delays in news; silly spontaneous actions; cancelled trip. Jumping in head first without testing the water.

Nine of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

IXNine of Wands

  • Yes/No: No
  • Zodiac: Sagittarius
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire

Often appears when a challenge erupts just before final accomplishment. Inner resources are sufficient even if it feels impossible. Sign of hope and encouragement—stand firm and strong to achieve your goal; darkness before dawn.

Nines are completion—the final stage with seeds of new beginnings. A battered yet victorious figure stands ready to battle again; prepared, defensive, strong. Opposition by secret enemies; interests questioned; unexpected difficulties. Have support available. You want your efforts to bear fruit; to socialize and circulate; expect good news concerning business, love, or finances. One last test or challenge remains, but you are in a position of strength; patience wins the day.

Health notes: head injury; shoulder; knee; ankle; jaw (TMJ); bladder meridian. Favorable surrounding cards can indicate good health.

Reversed

Hesitant to make a long‑term commitment; feeling as if life is all work and no play; overcome by responsibilities or lack of support. Boundaries become a cage—on edge and defensive; beware hasty judgments. A holiday or break to re‑energize may help. Rigidity and inability to give and take. Impractical projects fail; disarray and delays; poor health or illness depending on position. A once secure position no longer is; personality flaws get in the way.

Ten of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

XTen of Wands

  • Yes/No: No
  • Zodiac: Sagittarius
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire

Both positive and negative: reaping a bountiful reward for hard work, yet also being oppressed by outside sources—overworked, overtired or overstimulated. Having more on your plate than you can handle; burden and overwhelm. For movers, common a month before the move. Carrying a weighty load; heart tried by pain. Possible ruin of plans and projects; disruption and failure—but problems may soon be solved. A card of oppression.

Conserve energy and pace yourself. Over‑commitment makes everything a strain; exhaustion delays decisions. Burdens, responsibilities, resentfulness. Perseverance brings success though health may suffer. Heavy duties and difficult tasks. Perhaps some obligations must go. Often a person who bends over backwards to make a relationship work while the other is unaware.

Conduct remains honorable. Great fortune has become a burden due to demands. Business may need downsizing. A successful pastime can no longer be administered. No social life due to project demands and overtime.

Health notes: tension (neck/shoulder); headaches; vision; overwork.

Reversed

Strength and energy applied for selfish ends; desire to ruin others' happiness. Possible loss in lawsuit. Jealousy going to great lengths to spoil pleasures. Trouble delegating causes unnecessary stress. Lies and deceit used to upset others.

Page of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

Pageof Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire

Physical: yellow to red hair, blue eyes. A young person, or a likable stranger.

Personality: helpful, mild‑mannered, friendly, polite, adaptable, hard‑working, enthusiastic, impulsive, easily bored.

The loyal envoy and emissary; a trusted friend devoted to your interests. Intentions are honorable. Indicates desire for change; breaking free of oppression or stagnation; a new approach at hand—perhaps through a friend who helps you see the light. Can identify a young person with a melancholy outlook; a near relative or close friend. Messenger, messages, calls, official communications. Receiving communication so a decision can be made—someone is trying to tell you something.

As an event: new work project available; new development in career; a practical matter with spiritual meaning. Sometimes a new residence. Trustworthy and reliable; faithful messenger of good news and witty gossip; dedicated in service to superiors.

Reversed

Immature with a self‑image problem—mean‑spirited and aggressive, or helpless and always a victim. Pessimistic, brings others down, undercuts enthusiasm and confidence. Superficial, lazy, arrogant; unwilling to make effort; uncooperative and impatient. Once‑honest qualities turn to petulance. Cannot keep a confidence; dishonest gossip. Also delays or change of residence.

Knight of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

Knightof Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Sagittarius
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire

Physical: yellow/red hair, blue eyes; young, strong; robust, ruddy complexion.

Personality: eager to help, trustworthy; takes risks; energetic warrior; hasty; quick to love or hate.

Enthusiastic and innovative; gets things started. Represents mental intuition, impetuous nature, generous friend or lover. Indicates journey or change in residence; departure of something or someone; advancement of position. Actively pursues vision with abandon. Loves action; ambitious; unpredictable yet actions make sense in hindsight.

Reversed

Delays and frustration; feeling denied; loss or negative use of power; camouflage for inability to control situation; loss of self‑esteem and pessimism. Over‑enthusiastic and clashes with others; seeks discord and trouble; delays with a trip.

Queen of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

Queenof Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Aries
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire

Physical: yellow/red hair, blue‑eyed woman; runs a business or holds responsibility.

Personality: intelligent, dignified, prosperous; self‑confident; loves happiness; inspiring; fiery; lively; practical organizer; nature‑lover.

Creative energy; fiery, passionate personality; quick temper yet warm. Self‑confident and happy. Often indicates meeting someone with relationship potential. Decisions make themselves when time comes. Loves the country; good businesswoman; fair and capable; fertile in body and mind; charming and protective; success in a project.

Reversed

Manipulative, pushy or selfish behavior; chronically bad mood; angry, resentful and jealous. Attacked or bullied—or behaving this way. Perceptions skewed; information twisted into lies. Demanding, controlling, petty, narrow‑minded. Dominating and bitter; overbearing matriarch; cruel, paranoid, thinks people are out to get her.

King of Wands — Lifted Veil Tarot

Kingof Wands

  • Yes/No: Yes
  • Zodiac: Leo
  • Planet: Jupiter
  • Element: Fire

Physical: yellow/red hair; blue‑eyed older man; sometimes brown hair; athletic, strong, healthy.

Personality: creative, expressive, domineering, theatrical; gambler; influential; humorous; honorable; much‑traveled; just, kind, generous; excellent adviser; sexually passionate.

Passionate charmer who romances with flair—yet may not hold on once attained. Always seeking the bigger, better deal. Strength, leadership, creativity, vision and motivation to realize it. People naturally follow. Gets things done—often by inspiring others to do the work. Danger: distraction and taking people for granted. Epitome of fire.

Insignia of power and authority—assisting or opposing. You want contact and success in a new venture; your action or decision is decisive. Negative aspect: pushiness, arrogance, insolent grandeur. Often successful in business. Romantically, attractive and uplifting but may be volatile; can denote male lover in clandestine affair (see Lovers reversed or Three of Swords). Charming, responsible, loyal, witty; loves home and family; passionate and virile; seeks support and encouragement; acts decisively when pushed.

Health notes: hands; headache; control issues; hip; stroke; wheelchair.

Reversed

Rash, hasty, impulsive decisions; dominating, pushy, overbearing—not out of malice but tendency to overstep. Manipulative business contact or ruthless rival. In love, a delightful flirtation that wreaks emotional havoc—best for brief encounters. Inability to appreciate others' views; bigoted, narrow‑minded, prejudiced; ruthless streak; little care for others' feelings.

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