The Five of Wands Tarot Card Meaning

The Five of Wands features a chaotic arrangement of wands, all in different positions and directions, creating a sense of disorder. The card is highly dynamic, with more figures depicted than in any other card in the Waite Tarot deck.
All five wands are off the ground, being brandished by different individuals with various stances and movements, filling the entire scene. The positioning of the wands in this card is the most disorderly, with people wildly swinging them, indicating struggle, competition, and conflict. The five individuals are entangled and grappling with each other, seemingly engaged in a fight or a sporting competition, and could also be interpreted as a mock battle. In this state of melee, no winner has been determined yet, and the chaos continues. However, it appears to be a genuine struggle with conflicting interests, not just playful fighting.
The five young men extend their arms, holding the wands outward, with their feet spread in a V-shape. Each of them has a distinct posture and attire in different colors, representing their differing positions and personalities. The uneven ground they stand on suggests inequality in status or divergent viewpoints. The setting is a yellow-green lawn, yet the terrain is rugged with a gradient of colors and undulations.
The background sky is blue, indicating a clear and bright struggle, and also suggesting a forthcoming resolution. The clear demarcation between the sky and the earth highlights the contrast between a quiet environment and the noisy human voices.
Wands in Clashing Motions
The primary symbol, wands in clashing motions, signifies struggle, competition, or conflict. Each individual is armed with a wand, but rather than harmoniously combining their energies, the wands are in chaotic interaction. This serves to reflect the struggles we face when different interests or goals come into a clash.
Figures in the Card
The figures in the card appear to be young and full of energy, indicative of the youthful enthusiasm or impulsiveness that often leads to conflict. Each seems engaged in the struggle but from different angles and with varying degrees of intensity. This underscores the multifaceted nature of conflict, which can be internal as well as external.
Clothing of the Figures
The clothing of the figures is varied, indicating a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, or methods involved in the conflict. They remind us that disagreements often arise from differing viewpoints, and that it’s crucial to acknowledge the individuality of each party involved.
Ground and Terrain
The ground upon which the figures stand is flat but not entirely even. The slight undulations suggest the ups and downs inherent in any conflict or competitive endeavor. It subtly hints at the necessity to adapt and maneuver through challenges rather than seeking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Background
The sky in the background is relatively clear, suggesting that the conflict is not insurmountable and perhaps even necessary for personal growth. There is a distinct absence of the elements of water, signifying a lack of emotional depth in the struggles depicted.
Keywords
Conflict, Competition, Struggle, Rivalry, Chaos
General Overview
The Five of Wands depicts a scene of open conflict and competition, where individuals are engaged in a struggle, each for his own end. However, it is important to note that the conflict is not malicious; it is a clash of ideas or interests, a necessary tension that precedes resolution or growth.
While the scene may appear chaotic, this card is a harbinger of change and transformation. The conflict is not to be avoided but embraced, for it is through such trials that new paths are forged and greater understanding achieved.
The wands that the figures wield are still budding, symbolizing potential and growth. The strife is a part of the process of creation and innovation. Thus, although the card signals challenge, it also holds the promise of future accomplishment.
Work
Work Situation
This job is filled with conflicts and struggles. You have to work very hard every day without guaranteeing results, making the work not only tiring but also difficult to enjoy.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
At this time, you need to work even harder and stick to your own methods to have a chance to break through the predicament. If you can't defeat your enemies, you will definitely be defeated by them.
Workplace Relationships
Everyone in the workplace is fiercely competing with each other, making cooperation difficult and even trying to undermine each other. You must always be careful of colleagues who might sabotage behind the scenes.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
The way you treat your boss is how they will treat you. If you strive to fight for your rights with your boss, they will also try to exploit your rights.
Job Prospects
This job will only become more difficult in the future, but if you can hold on, you will also grow more. You should assess whether you are suitable for such an environment.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
You should be able to find a new job soon, but it will inevitably be hard and competitive. If you are not diligent enough, you may have to start looking for a new job again soon.
Love
Love Situation
There are constant arguments between the two of you, which may even escalate to physical fights, to the point of head injuries and bloodshed. The conflict between the two of you is already a well-known thing.
Possibility of New Romance
There is no possibility of a new love interest at the moment. You already have enough trouble in your life. You don't need to create more trouble for yourself. Solve your own problems first.
View on This Relationship
Both of you value this relationship and have put in a lot of effort, but there are some things that cannot be overcome, and it is also difficult to resolve the quarrels between each other.
Sexual Attraction
In this relationship, both of you want to outdo each other, and sexual relations are just one of the means to control each other. There is no sexual attraction between the two of you.
How to Resolve Arguments
Quarreling has now become a norm. If one day you don't quarrel, it will make people feel a bit strange. Unless you can let go of the strong desire to control each other.
Possibility of a Breakup
The relationship between the two of you is already close to the limit. As long as one party completely ignores the other, it may be considered a breakup situation, and there is no need to formally propose a breakup.
Possibility of Reconciliation
There is no possibility of reconciliation in this relationship at all. You have already torn each other's faces. If you accidentally meet each other again, you will still want to have a big quarrel with him.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You often argue with people among your friends, and they also love to quarrel with you. Everyone really gets to know each other through fighting, but you don't have any true friends.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
First, you should review whether you have done anything wrong to everyone. If you have really done something wrong, as long as you apologize first, the other party will naturally forgive you.
Family
Family Situation
There is a serious conflict in the family now. Since everyone is still angry, it is impossible to discuss things rationally, so it is also difficult to solve the problem.
Relationship with Elders
You have received a lot of benefits from the elders, but you are not particularly obedient because of this, and you still often show rebellious behavior, but the relationship between each other is still good.
Relationship with Peers
Peers cannot agree with each other, so they often quarrel with each other. Even if anyone wants to stop first, they may also be besieged by others.
Relationship with Juniors
Juniors often imitate your words or actions, so both teaching by example and verbal teaching are very important. If you often scold juniors, they will also learn all of this.
Academics
Academic Situation
You work very hard in your studies, but there are no obvious results at present, so you should review your methods to see if there is anything that needs to be corrected.
Learning Methods
At this time, you should look up to classmates who have achieved academically, observe how they succeed, and imitate their methods, which may be effective.
Relationship with Teachers
As long as you work very hard in the process, you will basically be affirmed by the teacher, so no matter what the result is, you must work hard in the process.
Relationship with Classmates
You often quarrel with classmates, which affects your learning mood. If you really can't control yourself from quarreling, then it's best to stay away from them.
Finance
Financial Situation
You work very hard to make money and have accumulated a little financially, but the distribution is completely chaotic. You should find a time to clean up your property.
Investment Situation
If you have a lot of research on investment, you can take this opportunity to make a lot of money. However, for investments that you have not studied, you will definitely lose all your money.
Purchasing Strategy
At this time, any purchase will often cause disputes, so it is best not to make unnecessary purchases, otherwise, you are looking for your own trouble.
Keywords
Avoidance, Resolution, Harmony, Miscommunication, Stagnation
General Overview
When the Five of Wands appears reversed, it suggests a period in which conflicts are being avoided, or perhaps recently resolved. The tension and struggles depicted in its upright position are lessening or have been actively sidestepped, often leading to a superficial sense of peace.
However, the avoidance of conflict is not necessarily a positive outcome. In fact, it could indicate problems swept under the rug, still lurking. The absence of visible conflict may not denote resolution, but rather stagnation or lack of progress.
This position advises you to examine the true state of affairs carefully. The absence of conflict may be a sign that serious issues are being ignored or neglected, thus inhibiting growth and potential breakthroughs.
Work
Work Situation
This job is filled with internal contradictions, with many different opinions on the same matter, often leaving you confused and somewhat at a loss.
How to Solve Work Difficulties
At this time, it may be necessary to stabilize the internal situation before dealing with external issues. Only after unifying the internal regulations and statements can you possibly address the problems; otherwise, you might be defeated by your own people first.
Workplace Relationships
Everyone in the workplace is deceitful towards each other. Even though they maintain a peaceful relationship on the surface, there are many underhanded actions behind the scenes, and they also provide incorrect information.
How to Get Along with Your Boss
Your boss is adept at both internal and external struggles and will not hesitate to sacrifice others for their own benefit. Therefore, you must work hard every day to contribute, so as not to be sold out by them.
Job Prospects
The future of this job is not very promising; instead, more conflicts and struggles will emerge. If possible, it's better to leave rather than stay.
Job Hunting/Changing Jobs
Since your career direction is not yet determined, no suitable new job opportunities will appear. The key is to first decide where you want to go next.
Love
Love Situation
There are often disagreements between the two of you, and there are many conceptual contradictions. These differences cannot be resolved quickly and require joint efforts from both parties.
Possibility of New Romance
It is difficult to meet a new romantic interest right now because your requirements for love are contradictory, and no one will meet your peculiar conditions.
View on This Relationship
There are many problems in this relationship, and unexpected difficulties have arisen. Perhaps both of you were a bit impulsive when you decided to be together.
Sexual Attraction
There is not a strong sexual attraction in this relationship, but there may be a tendency towards violence from one or both parties, leading to a mutual aversion to sexual relations.
How to Resolve Arguments
Many of the quarrels have happened too many times. The most important thing is whether you can change the way you interact with each other; otherwise, once resolved, they will definitely happen again.
Possibility of a Breakup
Actually, the two of you have no feelings left for each other, but you are unwilling to admit it on the surface. As long as one of you says they want to break up, both will agree to part ways.
Possibility of Reconciliation
This relationship has no chance of reconciliation at all because the knots between each other are too deep, and there is a lot of unresolved anger, not wanting to see each other again.
Friendship
Interpersonal Situation
You often argue with friends, mostly due to disagreements over matters. It's better to be more relaxed; there's really nothing to argue about.
How to Resolve Misunderstandings with Friends
The inability to reconcile is due to a stubborn pride, with neither side willing to back down first. If you can show goodwill, there might be a chance to turn things around.
Family
Family Situation
There are serious quarrels among family members right now, even resorting to legal proceedings against each other, which also causes emotional harm during the litigation.
Relationship with Elders
Elders often make many demands of you, but they are contradictory to each other, sometimes leaving you at a loss and making it difficult to help them effectively.
Relationship with Peers
You may be the less popular one among your peers, often becoming the target of everyone's criticism. There are also frequent quarrels among you due to disagreements.
Relationship with Juniors
You are very strict in disciplining juniors. If they are disobedient, you will definitely punish them severely. As a result, although they listen to you, they are also particularly afraid of you.
Academics
Academic Situation
Deep down, you are actually resistant to your current learning environment, perhaps because you dislike the teacher, classmates, or a particular subject, making it difficult to learn what you should.
Learning Methods
At this time, it is necessary to rearrange your learning schedule and make a systematic organization, rather than reading a little here and there. Scattered efforts will not be effective.
Relationship with Teachers
You don't like your current teacher, so you don't really want to study hard. Actually, you can try to put aside personal likes and dislikes and separate the teacher from the subject.
Relationship with Classmates
You don't like interacting with classmates, and if there is more communication, conflicts often arise. Perhaps you feel ostracized by classmates and don't really want to go to school.
Finance
Financial Situation
You have made too bold a financial plan, and serious problems have already arisen. If you don't turn back and improve in time, you may even end up in legal trouble.
Investment Situation
It is not suitable to make any investments right now, even small ones, as they often encounter various difficulties and problems, and may also involve legal disputes.
Purchasing Strategy
It is not advisable to make any purchases at this time because you are not fully prepared, and it is easy to cause disputes due to buying and selling. It is better to be cautious.