Wands · 5
Five of Wands Tarot Card Meaning
In short
Upright · Clashing opinions and competition break out. Healthy competition becomes a chance to grow your skills.
- Competition
- Conflict
- Clashing opinions
- Testing your skills
- Chaos
Reversed · You're avoiding unnecessary fights or conflict is easing. Still, watch for frustration building up inside.
- Avoiding conflict
- Reconciliation
- Suffering in silence
- Easing tension
- Hidden discontent
Upright meaning
The Five of Wands card shows a chaotic flow in which many opinions and ambitions collide. Everyone has a lot to say, so conversations cross, and tension may rise as you find yourself in competition. But the conflict this card speaks of mostly stays at the level of testing strength, without leading to deep wounds. Healthy competition can actually be a chance to grow your skills and firm up your thinking. What matters more than winning is making your position clear and finding something to learn from others' opinions, too. When the commotion settles, you'll discover a version of yourself that has grown.
If you're single
There may be a rival for the person you're interested in. Rather than growing impatient by comparing yourself with others, let your own charm show naturally. Light bickering may even become a way to grow closer.
If you're in a relationship
You may often clash over small differences of opinion. Rather than arguing over who's right, you need a heart that tries to understand your differences. If you can laugh and make up after a quarrel, the relationship actually grows healthier.
Reunion · contact
Talking again may bring old conflicts back to mind. Rather than rehashing the past, focus on what you each want now.
Work · workplace
Competition may be fierce, or opinions may be deadlocked in meetings. Speak from evidence rather than emotion, and your views will gain weight. Opportunities to grow your skills are hidden in this competition, so don't avoid it — enjoy it. But also take on the role of coordinating so the whole team's goal isn't forgotten.
Job change · job hunting
There are many applicants, or competition is fierce. Rather than comparing yourself with others, prepare to show your own strengths clearly.
Exams · study
With many competitors, this is a tense time. If you focus on steadily building your own skills rather than comparing, it becomes good motivation.
Money
You may feel confused amid many options and opinions. Rather than following what everyone else does, set one standard of your own. Be careful that competition doesn't lead to unnecessary spending.
Body and mind
Tension and stress can easily make your body stiff. Release your energy with exercise that makes you sweat, and if discomfort continues, have it checked by a doctor.
Relationships
Clashes of opinion may arise among family or friends. If you talk while respecting each other's positions, you'll actually get to know each other better.
The card's advice
Make your voice clear amid the clashes. Choose growth over winning.
Reversed meaning
The Five of Wands card Reversed shows the people who were swinging their wands laying them down one by one. It may be a flow in which noisy conflict settles and a path to reconciliation and cooperation opens. But at the same time, it can also show you swallowing what you want to say because you hate arguing. Things may have gone quiet on the surface, but if discontent is piling up inside, it could someday become a spark again. This card says to lay down needless fights, but calmly bring up what truly needs to be said. That's how real peace comes.
If you're single
Fear of getting hurt may be keeping you from showing your feelings. So you don't lose someone you're interested in by trying to avoid competition, start with small gestures. Slowly build relationships where your heart feels at ease.
If you're in a relationship
Trying to avoid arguments may have feelings building up inside. If there's unspoken hurt even though things look peaceful, bring it up calmly when you're both in a good mood. On the other hand, it may also be a flow in which a long-running conflict naturally eases.
Reunion · contact
Old conflicts are gradually softening, and there's a possibility of reconciliation. But if you both just avoid each other, there'll be no progress, so honest conversation is needed.
Work · workplace
Conflict within the team may be resolved, creating an atmosphere of cooperation. But if you cover up problems and move on, they may spread bigger later, so address the core issues. Stepping back from unnecessary competition will actually let you focus on your own work. You may end up playing the role of mediator in conflicts.
Job change · job hunting
The flow is toward leaving fierce competition behind and finding a place that suits you. Don't be swayed by others' standards — choose the path that fits you.
Exams · study
As the pressure of competition eases, your mind settles. Let go of comparison, and you can focus more on studying.
Money
It's a time when you can cut unnecessary spending driven by competition. Money issues that involved quarrels or disputes are flowing toward a calm resolution. Avoid emotional decisions.
Body and mind
Feelings you've held back and stored up may appear as tension in your body. Find somewhere to pour out your heart, and if discomfort continues, have it checked by a doctor.
Relationships
Long-running conflict may ease and relationships may soften. But if you've only been enduring things alone, open your heart to someone you trust.
The card's advice
Lay down fights that don't need fighting. But say what truly needs saying — gently and clearly.
The art and its story
Symbols in the art
Five people each hold a wand, swinging them crosswise and clashing chaotically. Their differently colored clothes represent differing ideas and positions, and the tangled wands mean disorganized clashes of opinion and competition. Yet no one appears badly hurt, so it's closer to a practice bout testing strength than a real fight. The number 5 is the number where stability breaks and change begins — the moment friction arises in a once-comfortable home.
Fire · the number 5 — where stability is shaken and competition and friction arise
From a vacant lot in the alley comes the noisy clatter of wands. Drawing closer, you see five people each shouting that they're right. The Five of Wands card knows things are a little noisy around you right now. But this commotion isn't meant to tear each other down; it's a process of testing each one's strength. Speak up clearly with your own voice, but take a look at the other person's wand once, too.
Yes/no and timing
- Upright
- Yes or no It depends — you'll have to go through competition and friction, but if you hold your ground, you can draw closer to the result you want.
- Reversed
- Yes or no It depends — conflict is easing, but you need to address hidden discontent to reach the result you want.
- Timing
- With the shifting energy of the number 5, the flow may become clear only after the commotion settles and opinions are sorted out.
By spread position (upright)
- Past
- Past competition and quarrels have given you the skill and toughness you have now.
- Present
- You're standing amid many opinions and competition. This is a time for evidence, not emotion.
- Future
- Soon a situation will arise where you need to compete or reconcile opinions. Sort out your position in advance.
- Obstacle
- An atmosphere where everyone only wants to speak for themselves is blocking the flow of work.
- Outcome
- Once you get through the commotion, your skills will be much more solid, and you'll find a clear direction.
Do a 3-card tarot reading
Related cards
Four of Wands
Six of Wands
Five of Cups
Five of Swords
Five of Pentacles
The HierophantFrequently asked questions
What does the Five of Wands card mean upright?
Competition, Conflict, Clashing opinions, Testing your skills, Chaos. Clashing opinions and competition break out. Healthy competition becomes a chance to grow your skills.
What does the Five of Wands card mean reversed?
Avoiding conflict, Reconciliation, Suffering in silence, Easing tension, Hidden discontent. You're avoiding unnecessary fights or conflict is easing. Still, watch for frustration building up inside.
What does the Five of Wands mean in love?
You may often clash over small differences of opinion. Rather than arguing over who's right, you need a heart that tries to understand your differences. If you can laugh and make up after a quarrel, the relationship actually grows healthier. There may be a rival for the person you're interested in.
Is the Five of Wands a yes or a no?
Upright: It depends — you'll have to go through competition and friction, but if you hold your ground, you can draw closer to the result you want. Reversed: It depends — conflict is easing, but you need to address hidden discontent to reach the result you want.