Of the four suits of the Tarot deck, the Suit of Wands deals with passion, creativity, energy and vitality. It is related to fire, the South Wind or a southerly direction, the color red, the four worlds of the Kaballah (Divine, Creative, Formative and Manifest), and as such you can see many images of fire or arcane symbols on the cards. The Suit of Wands is also often called the Suit of Staves or the Suit of Batons
On all cards in the Suit of Wands you will see a number of wooden staves, either being used as a prison, support, a weapon or a mark of authority. In each they are potent symbols. Fire often accompanies the images.
Basic facts about the Suit of Wands
- Symbolism: Passion, Vitality, Creativity
- Colour: Red
- Season: Summer
- Element: Fire
- Realm: Earth and the home
- Corresponding suit in playing cards: Clubs
- Gender: Male
- Direction: South
What the Suit of Wands is About
Wands, being phallic, directly represent male power and authority. However, the figures in the entire suit are often involved in some kind of battle, hardship or strife, and only the court cards seem to hold real power.
The Suit of Wands is about fighting for what you want. It is about knowing your desires and working hard for them. The court cards in this suit are a reminder to wield power wisely, and to be just.
This is the suit of adventurers and explorers – those who venture out on their own against impossible odds seeking their fortune, or defending a grand ideal. The cards in this suit typically represent something that you feel you must do in your life, either immediately or somewhere down the line.
Wands Reversed
The Wands, when they appear upright, usually represent zeal or passion, or someone possessing these qualities. When inverted, therefore, they often represent a dire lack of passion or creativity – a lack of a driving force that pushes you to achieve and to discover.
The King of Wands, for example, represents a leader with the energy of change and growth. Inverted, this card represents the tyrant who uses the rod to rule and brooks no opposition.
When an inverted Wands card applies to the querant, it can very often mean failure to make a decision, or the fear of moving into the unknown. It usually indicates that the querant needs to get off the sofa and do something with their life, or it might just pass them by.