Five of Wands

Five of Wands is one of the 56 minor arcana of the tarot, in the suit of Wands; in the Golden Dawn tradition it corresponds to Saturn in Leo.

The Five of Wands is five people sparring with staves. It is lively friction rather than war: different ideas competing for space.

Symbols on the card

Five people, five wands

Many voices, each with its own aim.

The practice contest

Conflict that can sharpen skill.

No one winning

Energy spent without coordination.

Number and suit

Fives disturb the balance of the four: challenge, conflict or loss that asks for change. Wands are fire: will, drive, creativity and the courage to begin.

Upright meaning

Expect friction and use it: healthy competition can sharpen ideas if rules are clear.

Love　Arguments that are about more than the topic.

Work　Competition, brainstorming, many opinions in one room.

Inner life　Notice whether you are debating to learn or to win.

Reversed meaning

Conflict may be avoided or turned inward. Say what you think, respectfully.

Love　Tension under the surface; name it gently.

Work　Finding a shared goal ends a pointless contest.

Inner life　Inner voices pulling in different directions.

In a three-card spread

Situation

Several interests are colliding.

Challenge

Friction draining your energy.

Advice

Set clear rules and look for common ground.

Tarot and astrology

In the Golden Dawn system this card is the decan of Saturn in Leo: the themes of Leo, expressed the way Saturn acts. Leo →Saturn →

Questions to sit with

• What is this conflict really about?
• How could the competition make us better?

Through the suit

Tarot here is a mirror for reflection, not a prediction. The meanings follow the Waite-Smith tradition and the Golden Dawn attributions, in our own words.