Five of Wands Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

Five of Wands Keywords 

• Upright: competition, challenge, lack of control, chaos, tension, arguments, pent-up energy
• Reversed: compromise, releasing tension, collaboration, solutions, conflict avoidance, intimidation

Five of Wands: Description and Symbolism

The Five of Wands corresponds with the fire element, presenting themes of willpower, action, and forward movement. This fiery suit is represented by a wooden wand with leaves throughout the tarot, symbolizing inspiration that leads to manifestation and success. Numerologically, the number ‘5’ presents themes of conflict and challenges. When combined with fire principles, the Five of Wands speaks to the battle of wills that results from conflicting ideals and motives. 

There are five figures with varying stances depicted in this card. They each hold a wand to symbolize their individual aspirations and intentions. The five wands are used as defense in battle, suggesting a chaotic and unstructured approach. Even still, these wands are used as a means to enforce dominance rather than causing harm to others. The ground at their feet is muddied, suggesting an ongoing struggle and build-up of tension. 

The Five of Wands represents conflicts that can emerge when contradicting actions and opinions come to a head. The figures are dressed in a series of colors to represent the motives that make up their approach to solving conflicts:

• Red: driven by passion and spontaneity
• Yellow: the optimistic search for clarity
• Green: the desire for longevity and stability
• Blue: trust in intuitive wisdom

These figures are challenged to adapt to the needs of their given situation by balancing assertiveness with receptivity. The card’s background is blue to symbolize the search for wisdom in times of chaos.

Five of Wands – Upright Meaning

When the Five of Wands appears in a reading, it suggests you may be handling a conflict or challenge in an area of your life. Perhaps you have not been able to come to an agreement with your partner or within the workplace. This card gently reminds you not to argue for the sake of being “right” or attaining control, but rather, to assert your ideals to come to a greater understanding. You may need to pick your battles at this time. 

Another interpretation of the Five of Wands is that you are experiencing an inner conflict between opposing desires. If you are finding it challenging to make a decision, it may benefit you to reflect on the feelings you have kept suppressed. Without clarity on your long-term desires and motives, you are more likely to have a disorganized approach.

Ultimately, the Five of Wands suggests there is a tension in need of resolving to move forward. You are capable of cultivating a grounded approach once you acknowledge the factors that have been overlooked.

Love Meaning – Upright Five of Wands 

When the Five of Wands appears in a love context, you may be struggling to agree with your partner at this time. Whether you are choosing how to spend your date night or handling a deeper concern that has been suppressed, your interactions may be straining the connection more than you would like. It would be a good time to reflect on your innermost fears and concerns to constructively bridge the gap. 

If you are single, the Five of Wands suggests you may be feeling conflicted about the idea of love and relationships at this time. Perhaps you are healing from a recent separation, or you may have fears that are preventing you from fully enjoying new connections. To move forward, it may benefit you to rethink your approach to romance to ensure you are taking relationships at a suitable pace.

When reading for how someone feels, the Five of Wands depicts a love interest who has conflicting desires and intentions. You may need to give this person time to clarify their needs to cultivate constructive interactions.

Career Meaning – Upright Five of Wands 

The Five of Wands suggests you may be facing competition within the workplace at this time. Perhaps your small business is receiving lower profits compared to others, or your ideas may be going unnoticed by your peers. You are gently reminded to keep your head up and assess your circumstances. Use your discretion to determine whether your situation calls for assertiveness or a redirection of focus.

Another interpretation for the Five of Wands is that your work or financial trajectory feels difficult to control at this time. Whether unexpected expenses are pulling you in multiple directions or demands in the workplace have you rethinking your career path, it would benefit you to restore structure. 

Health Meaning – Upright Five of Wands 

In a health context, the Five of Wands suggests there could be built-up energy that needs to be released. Consider trying a new physical activity or venting to a friend to keep your mind and body in motion. A new passion project could serve as an outlet to process conflicting ideas and changes at this time.

Spirituality Meaning – Upright Five of Wands 

When the Five of Wands appears in a spiritual context, you may feel at odds with your current circumstances. You are likely to experience profound spiritual lessons from resolving challenges and conflicts, so long as you are willing to look within. Consider taking up a grounding practice like yoga or hiking to process your different desires.

Five of Wands As Feelings Meaning – Upright

The Five of Wands represents internal conflict and pent-up energy. You may be experiencing tensions within your connections or environment, leading suppressed emotions to surface. Give yourself grace as you find a balance between assertion and mindfulness.

Five of Wands As Actions Meaning – Upright

The Five of Wands depicts the conflicts and challenges that can arise from built-up tension. You may have a more competitive spirit at this time, so it would benefit you to reflect on where to channel your energy constructively. You could also be struggling to gain control over a situation, so try to be patient as balance is restored. 

Five of Wands – Reversed Meaning

When the Five of Wands appears reversed in a reading, it suggests that a recent conflict or challenge is being resolved. Whether you were confused about your next steps or facing an ongoing disagreement with your partner, the pent-up energy is being released constructively. In social situations, this card suggests that you will reach a compromise or common ground with others. Past struggles for power or understanding could develop into a promising collaboration at this time.

Alternatively, the reversed Five of Wands could suggest a period of conflict avoidance. Perhaps you have been facing tensions at home that you are too busy to resolve, or you could be overlooking your true desires to stick to a schedule. This card advises you to surface your suppressed desires in order to make confident decisions moving forward. 

Love Meaning – Reversed Five of Wands 

When the Five of Wands appears reversed in a love context, you are given the opportunity to resolve suppressed tensions within your relationships. Whether it be a constructive conversation with a past lover or a compromise with your partner, you are likely to receive the closure you need. This card advises you to lay old conflicts to rest and focus on restoring balance.

Another interpretation of the reversed Five of Wands is conflict avoidance. Perhaps you have been putting your partner’s needs before your own for a while, or you may be struggling to move on from a recent separation. You are gently reminded to advocate for your needs and boundaries to cultivate the relationship dynamics you deserve.

As someone’s feelings for you, the reversed Five of Wands signifies newfound understandings and cooperation. A previous disconnect is likely to be mended with your love interest, making way for a hopeful new beginning.

Career Meaning – Reversed Five of Wands 

In a career context, the reversed Five of Wands is a hopeful sign of restored balance within your work and finances. You are finding it easier to resolve unexpected concerns and make compromises amongst your peers. This card encourages you to collaborate with like minds, as teamwork is likely to propel you forward in your career.

Another interpretation of the reversed Five of Wands is that you could feel intimidated by your competition in the workplace. You are gently reminded to speak up about your ideas, as it could inspire the team to pursue a new strategy.

Health Meaning – Reversed Five of Wands 

The reversed Five of Wands encourages you to release built-up tensions. Consider venting to someone you trust or picking up a cathartic physical activity. It is a constructive time for pouring your energy into constructive outlets. 

Spirituality Meaning – Reversed Five of Wands 

When the Five of Wands appears reversed, it suggests that you are finding solutions for the challenges that previously hindered you. Conflicts are being resolved both internally and within your relationships, inspiring profound spiritual lessons.

Five of Wands As Feelings Meaning – Reversed

The reversed Five of Wands signifies the release of tension and internal conflicts. It is a great time to find an outlet for repressed feelings to experience a newfound self-awareness.

Five of Wands As Actions Meaning – Reversed

As actions, the reversed Five of Wands represents compromise and collaboration. You will find it easier to lay misunderstandings to rest, allowing you to progress by constructively working with others. 

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

When the Five of Wands appears in the ‘past’ position, it refers to a previous conflict or challenge you were left to wrestle with. This tense situation taught you the importance of advocating for your true desires in order to make a positive change.

Present Position

The Five of Wands in the ‘present’ position suggests you are actively working to gain control over your circumstances. You may be met with challenges and opposing ideals at this time, inspiring you to face the feelings and ideals you have kept suppressed for some time.

Future Position

In the ‘future’ position, the Five of Wands predicts that your present situation will result in conflict. Whether the pent-up tensions come from disagreements or internal confusion, you may be able to curb this future challenge by reflecting on your repressed desires. 

Yes or No Meaning of The Five of Wands 

• Five of Wands Upright: No
• Five of Wands Reversed: Maybe

When the Five of Wands appears upright, it gives you a ‘no’. Challenges and tensions could be impacting your present situation, guiding you to smooth over conflicts in order to manifest a desirable outcome.

When the Five of Wands appears reversed in a reading, it gives you a ‘maybe’. You are given the opportunity to resolve a conflict or battle at this time, bringing you closer to forward movement in your situation.

Advice and Message of The Five of Wands 

The Five of Wands appears as a reminder to pick your battles wisely. If tensions are brewing in an area of your life, you may need to be more intentional with where you spend your energy. When this card appears, you are encouraged to advocate for your needs constructively to make progress towards your goals.

Summary of The Five of Wands Tarot Meaning

When the Five of Wands appears in a reading, there could be a tension or conflict in your life that needs mending. Whether you are coming to an agreement with a loved one or handling an internal battle, you are encouraged to weigh the importance of your priorities. Your situation may call for you to pause before asserting yourself to resolve the concern. When reversed, the Five of Wands suggests you are actively resolving conflicts by finding a grounded solution.