Discovering the Suits – The Wands in Tarot
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Sarah Taylor in her blog planetwaves.net has an article explaining the Tarot Suits which this week is the Wands in Tarot.
“— traditionally the first suit in the tarot’s minor arcana (the 56 cards of the tarot deck that are based on a traditional pack of playing cards). There is a good reason why Wands come first, which is to do with the quality of experience that they represent.”
More about The Wands in Tarot:
“Wands are more challenging to hold and to understand because they are intangible by nature. They can and do become tangible as we move through the suits, but they are different from the other suits in one key way: they are neutral. Wands energy is not concerned with how we feel, how we think, how we experience our reality because, in its purest form (embodied by the Ace of Wands), it precedes all three. Wands energy is simply there for the harnessing.”
Here is part of her list of the Wands in Tarot Cards and how they can manifest in your life.
“Ace of Wands – This is the energy that I described to you in the paragraphs above. It is the purest potential of the Wands suit, and when it comes up in a reading it is drawing your attention to a situation where you are able to draw on it and harness it in a meaningful way. The Ace of Wands is the ‘gift of oomph!’. Use it wisely if you want to make the most of it.
Two of Wands – A man stands with two wands, holding one — his powers of manifestation — while the other one remains behind him as potential, sitting in the realm of spirit (like a guardian angel at his shoulder). In his other hand, there is a globe. This is about bringing the world into being, and creation as an act shared by man and his connection to spirit / his higher self.
Three of Wands – This is the moment when we release what we have created into the world, knowing that we have done all that we can, and that we have controlled all the we are able to control in the process. Now it is a matter of seeing how our ships fare on the ocean (of fiery consciousness), and what will return to us.
Four of Wands – You’re being invited to take part in something of which you have, until now, only been an observer. A gateway of four wands stands between you and the life and community that are waiting for you. Will you step up and step through?
Five of Wands – This is energy that is potentially collaborative, but imbued with conflict (conflicting interests) and a lack of organisation and direction. I love Amanda Painter’s observation that it looks “like a bunch of guys on booze or acid attempting a barn-raising.” Apt.
Six of Wands – When this card comes up, you are being singled out for recognition in some way, and deservedly so. Out of the conflict of the Five comes the victory of the Six — in spite of all indications to the contrary, something worthwhile has been brought into being, although, as we are only approaching halfway through the Wands suit, it feels more like a transitional state leading on to something else, rather than the destination.
Seven of Wands – Sometimes we fight in contrast with our own best interests, and here we are resisting the creative drive coming from beneath because of what we fear it will bring with it. This is understandable: There is a good (if perhaps no longer useful) reason for defending ourselves, but in the process we are also blocking vital energy. This, to me, feels like an invitation to stop fighting and see what it is that emerges.
Eight of Wands – This is zingy, zany energy that is akin to a jolt of electricity. It is what becomes available to us when we lower our defenses in the Seven. It is highly creative if we can direct it. It is currently in full flow. Will it scatter us and our intentions, or will we rise to the task of using it as productively as possible?
Nine of Wands – Something that has bitten us on the arse in the past is coming into consciousness in the present, and we are wounded and cautious. Once bitten, twice shy. The thing is, if we could only see the reality of our situation — that the wands are in line, behaving themselves — then we could align with them by putting our wand in the space that is waiting for it.
Ten of Wands – Oppression. This is a burden that we have chosen to take on ourselves. In the words of Joseph Campbell: “Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.” Perhaps the toil is necessary; perhaps not. If we choose to move forward, there is help available up ahead.
Page of Wands – Young and somewhat admiringly awe-struck of his wand (teenagers, eh?), the Page represents a person or situation as-yet-untested, but which holds the qualities of his/her/its suit. The Page of Wands is rather dandy: Jaunty hat perched on his head, he looks fashionable for his era, and his clothes are colourful and seem to be of some substance. Appearances are paramount here — all on the outside. What he holds has yet to be internalised and integrated.”
Please visit Sarah’s website planetwaves.net to see the entire list and read more about the Wands in Tarot.