5 of Wands

Keywords & phrases

• Healthy competition
• Ambition
• Rivalry
• Conflict
• Diversity
• Progress
• Creative play
• Group or family dynamics

First impressions

A rather chaotic, possibly testosterone-filled (it’s Wands, afterall), scene. Is it sport or is it real conflict?

What is happening in the card?

Five men, apparently, carrying long sticks or wands are engaged in some kind of conflict or competition. I can almost hear the sound of the wands as they clash. How can anyone hear or even think over the clatter?

They are all dressed brightly in a variety of colours, suggesting that they are all coming from different directions. A diverse bunch of people who are not on the same team. Or are they?

How can we relate to this card?

So this could be the meeting at work when everybody is trying to get their ideas and opinions across but no one is being heard over the din of all the voices.

The 5 of Wands can represent conflict and competition in our lives. A family argument, sibling rivalry or that job that you are competing for.

It could also represent the competitive, creative process that a team might go through to get a project off the ground. A group of people, all bringing something unique to the table and bouncing ideas around.

There seems to be great potential in all this firey Wand energy. This card invites us to embrace diversity and be open to the ideas of others.

I’ve also heard (read someplace I can’t quite remember, sorry) the activity on this card being likened to raising a barn. Everyone brings something to the party: knowledge, experience, brain, brawn, imagination and determination. I love this idea.

Message & affirmations

Today, I listen to others with an open heart and mind. I am also heard. Together we move forward and create.

My personal experiences of this card

When I was in a 9-5 job, a long while back now, I would have seen this card as struggle and conflict at work. Competition for recognition and credit. Uncomfortable, frustrating, divisive. This I felt was the energy of the 5 of Wands.

Older, wiser and now working for myself in a much more creative business, I no longer experience this kind of in-house competitive pressure. I have worked to create a small network of colleagues to collaborate with on jobs in order to fill my skills gaps and extend my offering. Initially, I thought I was in competition with some of these people, which was an exhausting thought, but now I realise that I couldn’t do my job without them. We bring each other work and collaborate to produce better work for clients.

Much more fun, like raising a barn.

One version of the 5 of Wands that I particularly love is from Lacey Bryant’s The Slow Tarot. Here we see five children play-fighting with sticks. It’s a joyful scene and a reminder of how children learn and create through play and how we, as adults, could bring that playful energy to our work and relationships.

For me also, there is something of the Pages about these characters on the 5 of Wands. They are young and full of energy. Testing their gifts and their strengths perhaps for the first time.

Events, situations & readings

In a work/career/business spread:
There may be competition or a power struggle at work. How are you showing up in this?

In a relationship spread:
This card could represent family or relationship conflict. Is everyone being heard?

Reversed:
In reversal the 5 of Wands is likely to indicate some internal struggle or conflict.

People & interaction with other cards

With Wands and Pentacles, this would indicate that it’s a work situation that you’re dealing with. The Ace of Wands would suggest and new creative project. Court characters might be indicative of the people involved in any competition or conflict.

With Cups the 5 of Wands is more suggestive of emotional or relationship conflict. And Swords might suggest an internal or intellectual struggle.

Questions, prompts & insights

Are you involved in some kind of conflict or competition right now? How productive or destructive is that interaction for those involved?

What are the dynamics of the situation and how can the energies of creativity and ambition be harnessed to take you all forward?

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot. Also featured images from The Slow Tarot by Lacey Bryant.