Five of Wands
The Five of Wands depicts the Glaucus Atlanticus drifting along ocean currents while five stalks of coral block its way, symbolizing obstacles and contested paths. Upright, the card points to external competition, rivalry, and interpersonal friction that impede progress and call for cooperative rather than combative approaches. Reversed, it indicates internal conflict, indecision, and avoidance of confrontation, suggesting the need to face choices and make a clear stand. Ultimately it urges preparation for adversity, encouragement of collaboration, and decisive action to move beyond stagnation.
Keywords
Animal
Blue Dragon/ Blue Glaucus
Fun Fact
The blue glaucus’s iconic bright blue color acts as camouflage against the dark depths of the ocean below while its gray-toned top blends with the color of the sky through the water. This is an example of something called countershading and it helps the blue glaucus avoid both surface and swimming predators.
Keywords
Competition, Rivalry, Conflict
Reversed Keywords
Reconciliation, Opportunity, Diversity
Meaning (Illustration)
The Glaucus Atlanticus, or blue slug, meanders along the ocean’s surface, letting the currents carry it wherever they may lead. Five stalks of coral impede its path, but still the blue slug keeps moving, pushing through adversity to see what lies beyond. Its path is not an easy one. The ocean is fickle, its waves treacherous. The Five of Wands reminds us that we must prepare for adversity no matter where we go. The road to moving forward is rarely as smooth as it initially seems.
Upright Meaning
When upright, the Five of Wands suggests that the user is up against competition or hardships that have slowed their progress to a crawl. Something is impeding your ability to move forward, and most likely, this tension comes from other people who are working towards goals similar to yours. Everyone wants their voices to be heard, and yet no one is listening. There are opinions that aren’t being heard that may just provide the answers to the questions you seek. Strive to be the force that pulls instead of pushes. Be enthusiastic and encouraging throughout this transition. People are always stronger together than apart, and there’s no limit to what you might accomplish should you stop fighting against everyone else’s current.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Five of Wands suggests instead of external forces battering down on you, the conflicting and opposing forces at work are stemming from internal channels. You might be struggling to formulate an opinion on a contentious topic or fumbling through making sense of an immensely personal choice. Everywhere you turn you see new facets to the arguments battling away inside of you, and instead of clarity, these new perspectives just add another angle upon which to become overwhelmed. This position suggests that the user dislikes conflict and works hard to avoid it wherever they can. While helpful in some situations, this sort of behavior leads to these kinds of issues. You need to confront things head on and make a stand for what you truly want for yourself. Once you do, relief will be swift to follow.
Visual Description
Against a star-speckled dark sky, five branching wands or coral-like sticks crisscross around a central pale, elongated organic form with winglike appendages. The sticks are painted in warm reds, oranges, and yellows, while the central figure is lilac and blue with delicate feathered shapes fanning outward. Wisps of translucent smoke or nebulae curl at the edges of the card, and tiny white dots suggest distant stars. The title "FIVE OF WANDS" appears at the bottom in gold lettering.
Oriens tarot
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