The Five of Wands Tarot Card Meanings Simply Explained

Today we’ll cover the meaning and interpretation of the Five of Wands tarot card. This is a part of a deep dive series on the tarot.

Summary

CategoryMeaning
Upright meaningConflict, competition, challenges, struggle
Reversed meaningThe resolution, ending of conflict, peaceful compromise
AstrologySaturn in Leo
LoveArguments, disagreements, differences in values
CareerOffice politics, competition, power struggles
FinancesFinancial struggles, debts, competition for resources
PastPast conflicts or competitions affecting the current situation
PresentCurrent challenges or obstacles, need to overcome conflicts
FutureUpcoming obstacles, potential for conflict or competition

The Five of Wands tarot card description

five of wands tarot card meanings

The Five of Wands tarot card typically depicts five young men brandishing wands and jousting against one another in a chaotic and competitive manner.

They are depicted in a field or open space, and the energy is energetic and fast-paced. The image can symbolize competition, conflict, and challenges in one’s life. The wands suggest the use of one’s creativity and drive to overcome obstacles and win the competition.

The card can also represent a sense of rivalry, a desire to win at all costs, and the need to work together with others in order to achieve a common goal.

Overall, the Five of Wands suggests a time of change, struggle, and challenge, but also the opportunity for growth and success.

The Five of Wands card keywords

Some keywords associated with the Five of Wands tarot card are:

  • competition
  • conflict
  • challenge
  • rivalry
  • struggle
  • growth
  • success
  • creativity
  • drive
  • teamwork

Astrology of the Five of Wands card

The Five of Wands tarot card is associated with the astrological sign of Aries.

Aries is a fire sign that is known for its energetic and competitive nature, which aligns with the themes of conflict, struggle, and competition depicted in the Five of Wands card.

Aries is also associated with new beginnings and taking bold action, which can be seen in the idea of using one’s creativity and drive to overcome challenges and succeed.

In astrology, Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of action and assertiveness, further emphasizing the themes of competition and assertiveness present in the Five of Wands card.

Upright Five of Wands tarot card meaning

What is the meaning of the upright Five of Wands card?

The upright Five of Wands tarot card represents competition, conflict, and challenges in one’s life. It suggests a need to confront challenges and strive for success using creativity and drive, while also being mindful of cooperation and avoiding a solely competitive mindset.

The upright Five of Wands card traditionally represents competition, conflict, and challenges in one’s life. It suggests a time of change and struggle, but also the opportunity for growth and success.

The image of five young men jousting with wands symbolizes the need to assert oneself and fight for one’s goals, while also recognizing the importance of working together with others in order to achieve a common goal.

The card can also represent a sense of rivalry and the desire to win at all costs, reminding the reader to be cautious of becoming too focused on competition and losing sight of the bigger picture.

Overall, the upright Five of Wands suggests a need to confront challenges, use one’s creativity and drive to overcome obstacles, and to strive for success, but to do so in a cooperative and strategic manner.

Example upright Five of Wands reading

If John asks about his grandmother and draws the upright Five of Wands tarot card, it may suggest that she is currently facing competition, conflict, or challenges in her life.

The card could also imply that she needs to assert herself and fight for her goals, while also recognizing the importance of working with others in order to achieve a common goal.

The Five of Wands can also represent a sense of rivalry, so John may want to keep this in mind and be cautious of any potential conflicts or misunderstandings that may arise.

Overall, the Five of Wands card suggests a time of change and struggle, but also the opportunity for growth and success, in the context of John’s grandmother’s situation.

Reversed Five of Wands card tarot meaning

What is the meaning of the reversed Five of Wands tarot card?

The reversed Five of Wands tarot card suggests a lack of competition, conflict, or challenges in one’s life, indicating peace and stability or avoidance of responsibility. It may imply a need to seek out challenges, assert oneself, and strive for success while balancing cooperation and avoiding conflict.

The reversed Five of Wands tarot card traditionally represents a lack of competition, conflict, or challenges in one’s life.

It suggests a period of relative peace and stability and the absence of struggle or strife. The card may indicate that the person is avoiding challenges or shirking responsibilities, leading to a lack of growth or success.

Alternatively, the card may indicate that the person is successfully navigating and resolving conflicts, leading to a harmonious and peaceful outcome.

The reversed Five of Wands may also suggest that the person is avoiding competition and competition, and instead choosing to focus on cooperation and collaboration.

Overall, the reversed Five of Wands suggests a need to seek out challenges, assert oneself, and strive for success, while also being mindful of cooperation and avoiding conflict.

Example reversed Five of Wands reading

If Sarah asks about getting a pet and draws the reversed Five of Wands tarot card, it may suggest that there will be a lack of competition, conflict, or challenges in the process of acquiring a pet.

This could indicate a relatively peaceful and smooth process, with the absence of struggle or strife.

The reversed Five of Wands may also suggest that Sarah is avoiding competition and conflict, and is choosing to focus on cooperation and collaboration in the process of acquiring a pet.

Overall, the reversed Five of Wands card suggests a positive outcome for Sarah in her quest to get a pet, with a harmonious and peaceful outcome.

Meanings of the Five of Wands in tarot positions

Depending on the position of the Five of Wands card, you will need to interpret it differently.

Love Five of Wands tarot meaning

In a love context, the Five of Wands tarot card suggests competition, conflict, or challenges in the relationship. It may indicate that there is a sense of rivalry or tension between partners and that both parties are fighting for their goals and desires.

The card may also suggest a need to assert oneself and communicate effectively in order to resolve conflicts and achieve a harmonious outcome.

The Five of Wands can also represent a need to work together in order to overcome challenges and achieve common goals, reminding partners to focus on cooperation and collaboration in their relationship.

Overall, the Five of Wands card suggests a need to confront challenges and strive for success in the relationship, but to do so in a cooperative and strategic manner.

Career Five of Wands tarot meaning

In a career context, the Five of Wands tarot card suggests competition, conflict, or challenges in one’s professional life.

It may indicate a sense of rivalry or competition with colleagues or coworkers, and a need to assert oneself and fight for success. The card may also suggest a need to be creative and innovative in order to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.

The Five of Wands can also represent a need to work with others in order to achieve common goals and overcome challenges, reminding the individual to balance competition with cooperation and collaboration.

Overall, the Five of Wands card suggests a need to confront challenges and strive for success in one’s career, but to do so in a cooperative and strategic manner.

Finances Five of Wands tarot meaning

In a financial context, the Five of Wands tarot card suggests competition, conflict, or challenges in one’s financial life.

It may indicate a sense of rivalry or competition with others in terms of resources or wealth, and a need to assert oneself and fight for financial success.

The card may also suggest a need to be creative and innovative in order to overcome obstacles and achieve financial goals. The Five of Wands can also represent a need to work with others in order to achieve common financial goals and overcome challenges, reminding the individual to balance competition with cooperation and collaboration.

Overall, the Five of Wands card suggests a need to confront financial challenges and strive for success, but to do so in a cooperative and strategic manner.

Advanced modern tarot interpretations of the Five of Wands card

I always like to examine other, modern decks to see what can be read into their symbolism.

The reason for this is that every person will have different decks, so it’s good to learn how to go with your gut on what you see. This is the best way to have a good interpretation of the moment.

Too many people stick to a learned reading instead of going with the flow. Remember, each reading, deck, person, position, and question is different. Reading the cards is an art, not a science.

Here is a new interpretation of the Five of Wands tarot card:

The Five of Wands tarot card indicates a sense of rivalry or competition with others in terms of innovation and advancements, and a need to assert oneself and fight for success.

The card may also suggest a need to be creative and innovative in order to overcome obstacles and achieve technological goals.

The Five of Wands can also represent a need to work with others in order to achieve common technological goals and overcome challenges, reminding the individual to balance competition with cooperation and collaboration.

Overall, the Five of Wands card suggests a need to confront technological challenges and strive for success, but to do so in a cooperative and strategic manner.

five of wands tarot card interpretations

Back to the Minor Arcana list.

The previous card was the Four of Wands tarot card and the next card is the Six of Wands card.

References

  • Dean, L. (2018). The Tarot Companion: A Portable Guide to Reading the Cards for Yourself and Others. Fair Winds Press.