Associated with fire and the aspect of the soul, the wand in the Tarot brings with it a sense of intensity, inspiration and creativity.
This suit is the fastest moving suit in the card game and is associated with passion, creation and ambition. It urges us to make room for our biggest, brightest, and most powerful dreams to tap into the things that inspire and motivate us. And how exciting it can be to fully commit ourselves to the things we hope to achieve suit of wands also contains warnings about friction, destruction and burnout.
Read on to learn more about how we can understand these tarot cards in readings and some of the lessons we can learn from this passionate and brilliant suit.
Basics of Tarot Decks
The suit of wands is one of the four suits in the Minor Arcana and contains numbered cards ranging from ace to ten and four court cards. These cards are connected to the astrological element of Fire, which means that this suit is also linked to the three Fire zodiac signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.
Each of the four Minor Arcana suits is associated with an aspect of our humanity.
Wands represent the soul, while swords represent the mind, cups represent the heart and pentacles represent the body. Wands help us understand the things that drive us, the drives and instincts that motivate us, the pursuits and desires that give our lives shape and meaning.
As well as Fire and the soul, the suit of wands also explores passion, attraction, motivation, sensuality, artistic endeavors, instincts, creativity, exploration, expansion and adventure.
Like the astrological element of Fire, here we dig deep into the desires of our deepest and truest selves. We strive for the richest sense of authenticity, seeking to understand what inspires us and building something that reflects our greatest passions. As we move through the wand, we follow a burst of energy and creativity, from that first flash of inspiration to building, collaboration, friction and frustration, new beginnings, independence and ultimately to an abundance of Fire or a sense of burnout .
Fire can be difficult to control, and as we learn to balance it with other elements, we sometimes find that it takes over and overwhelms us with its intensity.
When working with wands, keep in mind that these cards may refer to a creative project, an artistic dream, or a passionate interest that has taken up more of your time.
How do you decide what to focus on? When do you trust your instincts? How do you recognize when an idea is worth your time and energy, and when do you allow yourself to take a step back and take a closer look at your work?
The dots (or numbered cards) in the wand show us many ways to think about this energy, from finding joy and a sense of empowerment through what we are building to guarding our energy and not letting ourselves overtaken by our natural Fire. There are times when we are called to action and asked to take courage.
But there are also times when we are asked to take a step back and assess our choices, consider ways to slow down, and be careful about how we spend our energy.
On the other hand, the court cards represent individuals learning how to best use the energy of the wands.
The page is a child and student, someone just starting his journey with passion and excitement; the knight is an adolescent eager to prove his talent and skill with confident actions; the queen is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element internally, and the king is a master and ruler who teaches others how to use this element externally.
These cards can represent the querent, a person in the querent’s life, or can provide advice on how to harness the wand’s energy for themselves.
The magic wand: descriptions of tarot cards
Below I provide some simple interpretations of each of the fourteen cards in the wand suit. You can combine these with your own research or intuitive ideas to develop a personal, powerful understanding of each of these cards, but this will give you a place to start.
Ace of Wands
Ace of Wands: A flash of inspiration, a brand new idea or goal that captivates and excites. A creative seed, a new journey, an invitation to start something brilliant and authentic. The full potential of fire, the soul and the magic wand.
2 of wands
2 of wands: A moment of planning before action, a chance to consider bigger goals and broader ambitions. Choose how to proceed. Listening to our instincts, honoring our intentions, getting into the details of what we hope to build. Making sure our vision is clear.
3 of wands
3 of wands: Movement with foresight, action supported by intention. We see our future beginning to manifest and take steps towards something great. Collectively involving others in our work, accepting new ideas, brainstorming and sharing the excitement. Exciting changes are coming.
4 of wands
4 of wands: Harmony, joy, celebration. Creative energy flows, solid foundations to build on, a clear and beautiful vision of everything that awaits us. Measurable progress. Being rooted in our work, knowing we are on the right track, and understanding what to do next.
5 of wands
5 of wands: Complications, loss of direction, a feeling of internal or external friction. Energy is being extracted from too many different places, and there is uncertainty about where we are in the process. Creating conflict to distract ourselves from the greater work. Struggling to find our way.
6 of wands
6 of wands: Victory, achievement, an important milestone. Pride and power, confidence in where we are, a renewed sense of purpose and joy in the work we do. A sense of success comes with the knowledge that there is more to achieve.
7 of wands
7 of wands: Courage, independence, standing up for our vision and ideals. Protecting the self and our work from those who do not understand or respect it. Be willing to stand alone to defend what we have achieved. Personal power.
8 of wands
8 of wands: Fast movement, momentum, action and power. Obstacles are cleared, joyful creation, freedom of movement. A new sense of power, a rich belief in the self. The knowledge that we are creating something beautiful.
9 of wands
9 of wands: Tension between almost done and almost wiped out. Resilience and perseverance, pushing ourselves to the limit, a finish line in sight. One last challenge before the achievement.
10 of wands
10 of wands: Completion, but at a price. Being overloaded, exhausted, burned out. Too many projects without the energy to complete or organize them. The stability may or may not be permanent.
Page with magic wands
Wands page: A child of Fire with passion, creativity and an abundance of ideas. Someone who is not afraid to break the rules, go their own way and challenge norms – courageous, independent, adventurous.
Knight of Wands
Knight of Wands: An adolescent of Fire with a powerful charisma and a need to prove himself to the world. Inspiring, expressive and easily distracted, someone who likes to start things, but doesn’t always think about finishing them. Gives energy to others, loves to travel and discover new ideas.
Queen of wands
Queen of Wands: A ruler of Fire who knows the depth of their vision and creativity, someone who is passionate and powerful, who inspires and motivates. This pioneer is not afraid of what the world thinks of him and fully believes in creating. Unique, determined, loyal.
King of wands
King of Wands: A ruler of Fire who leads by example, one who gathers others to their cause, shapes brilliant projects and teaches others to do the same. Not afraid of challenges, willing to stand up for their beliefs, independent and full of fire. Confident, intentional, ambitious.
Working with wands
Within the Wand we find some of the highest highs and lowest lows in the Minor Arcana, because the ways we harness and use creative energy can be intensely personal.
The fire that dwells within us sometimes acts as tiny sparks and sometimes as an intoxicating glow, and wherever we are in that process, the Tarot can help us understand our own brilliance more clearly.
Which cards in the magic wand feel most recognizable to you? What gives you a feeling of power or satisfaction, and what is frustrating, confusing or limiting? How does Fire interact with the other elements in the Tarot? What have you learned about your own creative process from working with these cards?
Related article: Everything you need to know about swords in the Tarot
