The Suit of Wands is one of four suits in

tarot The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Tarocchini. From their Italian roots, ...

, collectively known as the

Minor Arcana The Rider–Waite_Tarot.html"_;"title="King_of_Swords_card_from_the_Rider–Waite_Tarot">King_of_Swords_card_from_the_Rider–Waite_Tarot_ The_Minor_Arcana,_sometimes_Lesser_Arcana,_are_the_Suit_(cards).html" ;"title="Rider–Waite_Tarot_.html" ;" ...

. Like the other tarot suits, the suit of wands contains fourteen cards:

ace An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the c ...

(one), two through ten, page and knight (sometimes referred to as princess and prince), queen and king. Tarot cards are used throughout much of

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

to play

Tarot card games Tarot games are card games played with tarot decks, that is, decks with numbered permanent Trump (card games), trumps parallel to the Playing card suit, suit cards. The games and decks which English-speakers call by the French name Tarot are cal ...

, where Wands corresponds to the

suit of Batons Batons or Clubs is one of the four suits of playing cards in the standard Latin deck along with the suits of Cups, Coins and Swords. 'Batons' is the name usually given to the suit in Italian-suited cards where the symbols look like batons. 'Clu ...

. In

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for

divinatory Divination (from Latin ''divinare'', 'to foresee, to foretell, to predict, to prophesy') is the attempt to gain insight into a question or situation by way of an occultic, standardized process or ritual. Used in various forms throughout histor ...

purposes. Huson, Paul, (2004) ''Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage'', Vermont: Destiny Books,
''Mystical Origins of the Tarot''

Divinatory and occult meanings

Aleister Crowley Aleister Crowley (; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the pro ...

's 1944 ''

The Book of Thoth '' Book of Thoth'' is a name given to many ancient Egyptian texts supposed to have been written by Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing and knowledge. They include many texts that were claimed to exist by ancient authors and a magical book that ap ...

'', the suit of wands is associated with the action of the

Will Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...

and the element of

fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...

. The meaning of the suit as a whole focuses on ideas or readings associated with primal energy, spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition, expansion, and original thought. Generally the suit is interpreted by modern English-language astrology practitioners as relating to work and accomplishments, or even anything broadly related to fruitfulness. Reaping the benefits of hard work is a fundamental aspect of such interpretations of the suit. Similar themes include new beginnings, final endings, and creative destruction (such as the way controlled usage of fire can be used to clear land in preparation for new crops, or planting). This metaphorical relationship between the suit and fire is often explored by tarot practitioners who are also basing interpretations on astrology. The cards of this suit also evoke the wide-eyed optimism of youth and the basic driving force of life. The meanings of the Wands Tarot cards deal with the spiritual level of consciousness and mirror what is important to you at the core of your being. They address what makes you tick – your personality, ego, enthusiasm, self-concept, and personal energy, both internal and external. The negative aspects of the Suit of Wands include illusion, egotistical behaviour, impulsiveness, a lack of direction or purpose, or a perception of meaninglessness. Wands cards often represent the astrological signs of Fire: Leo, Sagittarius and Aries. A wands court card often relates to a person with a Leo, Sagittarius or Aries star sign. Generally, Wands people are energetic, charismatic, warm and spiritual.

Card images in the Rider–Waite tarot deck

Wands01.jpg, Ace of Wands Wands02.jpg,

Two of Wands Two of Wands is a Minor Arcana Tarot card. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games. In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized primarily for divinatory ...

Wands03.jpg,

Three of Wands Three of Wands or Three of Batons is a playing card of the suit of wands. In Tarot, it is a Minor Arcana card. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games. In English-speaking countries, where the games are large ...

Wands04.jpg,

Four of Wands Four of Wands is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana". Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games. In English-speaking ...

Wands05.jpg,

Five of Wands Five of Wands or Batons is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana". Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games. In English ...

Wands06.jpg,

Six of Wands Six of wands or batons is a card used in Latin-suited playing cards, which include tarot, tarot decks. It is part of what tarot reading, tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana," the six of wands cards in divination decks with illustrated pip ca ...

Wands07.jpg,

Seven of Wands Seven of Wands is a Minor Arcana tarot card. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Tarot card games Tarot games are card games played with tarot decks, that is, decks with numbered permanent Trump (card games), trumps parallel ...

Wands08.jpg,

Eight of Wands Eight of Wands is a Minor Arcana Tarot card. In the Rider–Waite deck, the card shows eight diagonal staves of staggered length angled across an open landscape with river, as designed by artist Pamela Colman Smith. Tarot cards are used throughou ...

Tarot Nine of Wands.jpg,

Nine of Wands Nine of Wands is a Minor Arcana Tarot The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as ...

Wands10.jpg,

Ten of Wands Ten of Wands is a Minor Arcana Tarot card of the Suit of Wands. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games. In English-speaking countries, where the games are largely unknown, Tarot cards came to be utilized prima ...

Wands11.jpg,

Page of Wands Page of Wands (or Jack or Knave of Wands or Batons) is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the Minor Arcana. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play Ta ...

Wands12.jpg,

Knight of Wands Knight of Wands or Batons is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the Minor Arcana. Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card games. In Engli ...

Wands13.jpg, Queen of Wands Wands14.jpg,

King of Wands King of Wands or Batons is a card used in Latin suited playing cards which include Italian, Spanish and tarot decks. It is part of what tarot card readers call the "Minor Arcana" Tarot cards are used throughout much of Europe to play tarot card ...

References

{{Minor Arcana * Wands

Divinatory and occult meanings

Card images in the Rider–Waite tarot deck

See also

References