Zodiac and Tarot: What Does 'The Five of Wands' Really Mean?
The Five of Wands is the kind of card that instantly radiates “chaotic energy.” At first glance, it appears haphazard and disorganized—and that is precisely its essence.
Table of Five of Wands
Five of Wands Keyword
Upright: Conflict, competition, struggle, chaos, imitation.
Reversed: Fraud, disputes, lawsuits, conflicts, evading issues.
What's in The Five of Wands Tarot Deck
Number 5: This number represents instability, conflict, challenges and change.
Blue sky: A clear sky suggests that the conflict is out in the open. Blue symbolises reason, implying that resolving the conflict requires a cool head and clear thinking.
Wands: As symbols of the fire element, they relate to action, passion and goals. This suggests the root of the conflict lies in clashing ambitions rather than emotions or beliefs.
Five figures in a melee: Their different clothing colours suggest that the parties have varied motivations and approaches. Waite states: This is a battle of mimicry.
Grassland: Implies striving amidst a harsh environment.
What Does The Five of Wands Tarot Card Mean
Like other Arcana tarot cards, 5 Wands carries both upright and reversed meanings.
The Five of Wands Meaning(Upright)
Love: In emotional life, there is resistance in the form of minor disagreements or healthy competition during the development of relationships. Find mutual balance through dialogue and healthy rivalry. Confront emotional issues head-on and embrace intimacy to resolve conflicts.
Career: Your professional life is full of challenges, characterised by tense colleague relationships and high-pressure workloads. Embrace new tasks and challenges with confidence and fearlessness amid fierce competition.
Finance: Financial matters present competitive hurdles, with disorganised budgeting and limited funds requiring careful planning.
Tips: Don’t avoid the tension—use it to grow.
The Five of Wands Reversed
Love: Fear of commitment, avoiding intimacy, expecting too much from partners, not being able to deal with emotional problems, worry about the future, moving towards separation or giving in.
Career: Problems with colleagues, not knowing how to behave around people, worry about getting a promotion, and being willing to do things to avoid taking responsibility.
Finance: If you don't have much money, are disorganised and make mistakes, you might lose a little money and find it harder to compete with other people.
Tips: Stop comparing yourself to others; focus on steady improvement.
Five of Wands Yes or No
The Five of Wands is usually a No.
It suggests conflict, resistance, or chaotic energy surrounding the current situation. Things might still be a bit rocky, but we can still make it work.
Conclusion
The 5 of Wands Tarot card reminds you: Conflict isn't always bad. Sometimes it makes you grow, adapt and become stronger (because it's a fire element). If you can do that, you will become a more powerful version of yourself.
Is the Five of Wands a bad card?
Not necessarily. The Five of Wands often suggests tension or competition, but it's more about learning through challenges than pure negativity. It makes you want to grow.
What does the Five of Wands mean in love?
This suggests conflict, contradictory signals, or playful rivalry. Whether upright or reversed, this card encourages you to communicate honestly and confront your emotions head-on.
What does the Five of Wands reversed warn about?
The reversed Five of Wands may suggest that you are avoiding things or that you are afraid of getting involved with someone. It may also show that you are not dealing with important issues. It reminds you to face up to problems and take control of the situation.