wands in the tarot – Just the Tarot

Queen of Wands

A woman sits on a throne holding a staff in one hand and a sunflower in the other. Her crown is topped with living greenery and her cloak is held together with a broach in the shape of a cats head. A black cat sits in front of her.

In the dark ages the Queen of Wands would have been very quickly labeled as a witch. To us she is simply, “the Wise Woman.” She’s a gardener and an herbalist, the woman who is equally at ease preparing sachets and weaving together spells. She’s powerful but well grounded in the earth and seems to have a special affinity for plants and animals. This card usually indicates a charming, magical woman entering your life, one who will keep you entertained with her wit and challenged with her wisdom.

Reversed – A woman who appears to be charming and interesting but is really somewhat of a flake. Lots of show but very little substance.

EXAMPLES: The woman at the Farmers Market or Ren Faire who sells essential oils, knows the names and properties of every wild herb, and may offer to read your palm.

The friend or partner who nourishes your soul.

Knight of Wands

A person of indeterminate sex wearing armor and an overcloak printed with salamanders sit astride a horse that is rearing into the air. He holds a staff in his right hand and mountains that resemble pyramids recede into the distance.

Travel, moving, relocation, perhaps a new romance. The Knight is putting the idea of travel which the Page of Wands conceived into effect. Still, there is an element of lack of control and planning, of perhaps being carried away by enthusiasm when a little more time should be put into details. The horse is back on its’ hind legs, raring to go, but not moving forward yet.

Reversed: Problems may develop with travel plans. Possibly a person who was going to share the expenses backed out at the last moment. A romantic vacation canceled because of a loss of romance.

EXAMPLES: Think of a friend yelling, “Road trip!” and all of you taking off at a moments notice. It sounds like fun but you may end up sleeping in the car because you forgot to make reservations with a motel.

Going to see a lover who lives in another state or country.

Page of Wands

A person of indeterminate sex is holding a staff with both hands and appears to be studying it. His undercloak is printed with images of salamanders and mountains that resemble pyramids recede into the distance.

Most often a card of travel, changes, and journeys. At this point the subject is more studying the idea of travel rather than actually doing it and things are still very much in the planning stage. On a mundane level, this card may indicate the presence of a younger person or persons, usually of a fair complexion. They tend to be bright, inquisitive, and active. It may be that the subject is preparing for house guests with children or, alternatively, traveling to visit someone with children.

Reversed: Problems or delays with travel plans, canceled reservations, difficulties making connections. If a younger person is present there may be something odd or disturbing about him.

EXAMPLES: Think of someone surfing through the internet looking at travel and airline sites.

A non-custodial parent preparing for visitation with a child or children.

Ten of Wands

A man walks forward, bent over and carrying a bundle of ten staves. His head is downward and tucked into the bundle. A villa and farmed land are in the distance.

Heavy burdens and overwhelming responsibilities. The subject literally feels that he has the weight of the world on his back. He’s staggering along, shouldering the burden, but he’s lost sight of his long term goals and any real meaning in his life.

Reversed: The subject may be approaching a time when she can lay her burdens down but it may not be in a pleasant context. Possible loss of a job, demotion, or simply giving up and walking away.

EXAMPLES: The workaholic. Someone who is consumed by his job, not because he loves his work, but because he’s lost any sense of his true self and joy in life.

Taking care of family to the exclusion of taking care of yourself.

Nine of Wands

A man stands in front of a virtual wall of staves, clutching a staff in his hands. He has been wounded and his arm and head are bandaged. He appears to be staring off to the side with a worried, cautious look on his face.

The subject has obviously been beaten up by life. He or she may still be standing but there are some pretty serious wounds. The main message here is to just hold your position and be prepared for further attacks. Do NOT seek out further battles, pick fights, or even get into arguments right now. Hold still and wait to heal.

Reversed: Things could get worse. The subject could lose her job or position in life. The stress from the psychological wounds may lead to physical illness.

EXAMPLES: Think of a boxer on the ropes. He’s absorbed too many punches and he’s just trying to hold out until the bell rings and he can make it back to his corner.

So called, “friends,” who insist on continuing an argument long after you’ve had enough of it.

Eight of Wands

Eight staves appear to be flying through the air, descending toward earth. A peaceful river valley lies in the background.

New ideas and inspirations are literally flying into the subjects life and consciousness. Perhaps new associates, friends, or business relations which are novel and help to move the subject to greater heights and fresh horizons. On a mundane level, there is a possibility of air travel associated with the subjects employment.

Reversed: This is not the time to try out new or untested ideas. Stay grounded on familiar territory and don’t take risks. Travel plans may be canceled.

EXAMPLES: New, cool friends who turn you on to ways of thinking and feeling that you’ve never experienced before.

Meditating and suddenly seeing beyond what you always thought was reality.

The Two of Wands

An individual draped in a purple cloak stands atop a parapet holding a staff in his left hand and a globe of the world in his right hand. A second staff is bolted firmly to the stone wall of the castle. The vista stretching out before him appears to be a quiet village next to a bay.

On the most simplistic level, a decision is being made, perhaps about travel or a real estate deal. The subject may be contemplating relocating. On a deeper level, this is about how to bring the idea in the Ace of Wands into being in the material world. The royal purple of the cloak shows that this is a person who is firmly in command of the process and the wand fastened to the wall shows that he or she is well grounded emotionally and intellectually.

Reversed: Delays and hassles in real estate deals or moving. Perhaps a new venture that is running into unexpected difficulties. May indicate that the subject needs to delay putting ideas or ventures into effect.

EXAMPLES: Someone who is very rational and balanced and is carefully moving a project forward step by step. This is the planner, the detail person who makes things happen.

Designing a complex web site to promote your business.