Crossed wands
Each person pulls in his own direction. The staffs intersect, but they never come together into a shared structure.
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Minor Arcana · Wands · 5
Five of Wands Tarot Card Meaning
The Five of Wands stands for rivalry, arguments and confusion. Five people cross their wands, yet no one defeats anyone. This card is about competition, clashing opinions and energy spent on fighting instead of getting things done.
Upright
- competition
- arguments
- rivalry
- chaos
- differing opinions
Reversed
- avoiding conflict
- a drawn-out quarrel
- compromise
- the end of a dispute
- hidden tension
Yes or no
Likely no
While the struggle is still going on, the answer leans toward “no.” Results will come once the dispute is over.
Ask the cards your own question →- Number
- 5
- Element
- Fire
- Astrology
- Saturn in Leo
Card symbolism in our deck
In Heinrich Pangrau’s deck, the Five of Wands shows a group of young men brandishing wands. Everyone is in motion, and every face is serious.
Look-alike rivals
The rivals are almost identical: this is a dispute between equals, not a battle between enemies.
No one is hurt
The struggle looks more like a training session or a noisy argument than a war.
An open field
All around is open space and a calm sky: the conflict is created by the participants themselves.
Five of Wands meaning
The upright Five of Wands is a time of clashes: competition at work, disagreements within a team, household squabbles, a fight for attention.
The card is not always negative: healthy rivalry pushes you forward. The key is not to let it turn into a war of everyone against everyone.
Five of Wands reversed
The reversed Five shows conflict fading or going underground. It can mean compromise and reconciliation, or avoidance, where tension builds up inside.
Sometimes the card points to a drawn-out quarrel in which no one remembers anymore how it all started.
Five of Wands in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright Arguments, jealousy, rivals. In a couple: fights over little things and a struggle over who is right.
Reversed A truce after a string of fights, or a silent tension that is better talked through.
Feelings Mixed feelings: interest and irritation at the same time. This person is arguing with you, and with themselves.
Work and career
Upright Competition for a project or a position, brainstorming sessions, tough negotiations.
Reversed Conflict within the team calms down, and there is a chance to reach an agreement.
Money
Upright A struggle for resources, competitors, price wars.
Reversed Disputes over money can be settled.
Health
Upright Nervous tension; sports and physical release help. Tarot is not a substitute for a doctor.
Reversed Inner stress that never finds a way out.
Five of Wands as a person
As a person: a debater, a rival, someone who throws themselves into any discussion.
The card’s advice
Upright Use rivalry as motivation, not as a reason to take offense.
Reversed Say out loud what is bothering you: silence will not end the argument.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
Five of Wands as the card of the day
As the card of the day, it brings a day of arguments and bustle. Don’t make important decisions while emotions are running high.
Combinations with other cards
- Five of Wands + Seven of WandsYou will have to stand your ground.
- Five of Wands + JusticeThe dispute will be settled by law or by the rules.
- Five of Wands + Five of SwordsA conflict in which everyone loses.
- Five of Wands + TemperanceA compromise will be found.
- Five of Wands + Six of WandsVictory over the competition.
Frequently asked questions about Five of Wands
Is the Five of Wands a yes or no card?
Likely no, at least until the struggle or dispute is over.
What does the Five of Wands mean in a relationship?
Quarrels, rivalry and a fight over who is right.
What does the Five of Wands mean reversed?
The end of a conflict, or hidden tension.
What does the Five of Wands mean as the card of the day?
A hectic day: steer clear of unnecessary arguments.