In the Thoth Tarot’s Suit of Wands, the ten cards from Ace to Ten depict the complete spectrum of will and consciousness — from the flame of spiritual awakening, through dominion and balance, through anxiety and oppression, to the infinite strength that rises from deep within. These ten landscapes are the journey of will that each of us takes every single day.
Ace: The Flame of Awakening — Spiritual Awakening, Truth, and Authenticity
The Ace of Wands represents spiritual awakening and self-realization, connected to the principles of truth and authenticity. The Ace of Wands is the torch of fire, a symbol of the countless life forces within you. The lightning bolts symbolize your awakening to the spiritual truth and authenticity of who you truly are.
When you draw this card, it indicates that you have awakened to the uncountable and irrepressible authentic being within yourself. It reminds you that in the coming year, it will be very difficult to edit, rehearse, or hold back any part of who you are. Any Ace represents a time frame of one year. During the fire sign months of Leo, Aries, and Sagittarius, or when you are with fire sign people, it is very important to stay in your truth and authenticity.
This symbol represents an unwillingness to abandon yourself and an unwillingness to edit, rehearse, or hold back your basic nature. This is intuition that is completely honored and trusted. The Ace of Wands represents awakening — seeing aspects of yourself so clearly that you commit to burning away any negativity, blocks, obstacles, or obstructions that might prevent you from realizing your full potential during the fire sign months, with fire sign people, or in the next twelve months.
When you draw this card, it means that the next twelve months are an important time to stay in your authenticity and truth, and not to abandon yourself. It is also a time to come from a place of full energy, vitality, and spontaneity during the fire sign months of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, or to be in your full spontaneity and vitality with fire sign people.
Two: Dominion — Balance, Integration, and Sovereignty
The Two of Wands represents the state of dominion, balance, and integration. This symbol represents the optimal balance of energy, or a sense of sovereignty — feeling very comfortable within your own domain. The root of the word “dominion” carries the sense of experiencing harmony and balance within your own realm.
This symbol shows Tibetan dorjes — sacred objects of power — that have been unified. This is essentially a symbol of coming into your own power from deep within, in a very balanced way. This is the principle of dominion. The power is also represented by the horses on the caps of the dorjes. The renewal, regeneration, and healing that come from states of balance are represented by the serpents on the arrowheads of the dorjes.
The astrological aspect of this card is Mars in Aries. Mars is the planet of vitality, energy, and assertion; Aries is the astrological symbol of exploration and pioneering. When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next two weeks or two months, you will have the energy — like Mars — to move in new directions — like Aries — from a place of integration, balance, and harmony, with the feeling of being on top of things. This symbol indicates that you have the energy to move in new directions because you have attained a certain state of balance, harmony, or sovereignty within yourself.
Three: Integrity — The Union of Mind, Heart, and Action
The Three of Wands is symbolized by the quality of virtue or integrity. Integrity is the union of mind, heart, and action working in concert with each other. This principle is represented by the unity of the three lotus blossoms, which stand for mind, heart, and action unified, consistent, and congruent.
The astrological aspect of this card is the Sun in Aries. This is radiant, dynamic energy moving in new directions, but moving from a place of integrity or virtue — making sure that mind, heart, and action are all joined and all want to move in that new direction. This symbol reminds us that we should not move in new directions until there is alignment of mind, heart, and action. When that alignment is not present, it is a time to wait rather than a time to act.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next three weeks or three months, it is important to operate from a place of integrity as you move forward in new directions. It is also important to make sure that your mind, heart, and actions are clear in how you want to handle your relationships with Aries people. In a state of integrity, you are able to demonstrate natural clarity — symbolized by the crystalline structure behind the wands — and you are able to allow things to unfold naturally — symbolized by the fire flames in the background. The Three of Wands also indicates that during the month of Aries, or when you are with Aries people, it is important to operate from a place of virtue or integrity, and to make sure that your mind, heart, and actions are aligned with the important choices you are making in the next three weeks or three months.
Five: Strife — Anxiety, Frustration, and Suppressed Energy
The Five of Wands represents the state of strife, anxiety, or frustration. Anxiety is an energetic experience caused by holding back. At its core, this is the state of frustration. It is the experience of having abundant energy but not knowing what to do with it, or having a great deal of energy that is being contained or held back, which then produces anxiety or a state of strife.
The astrological aspect on this card is Saturn in Leo. Saturn is the planet of discipline, of knowing your limits and boundaries, and of being able to set limits and boundaries. Saturn reminds us to do things step by step. Leo is the astrological sign of creative power — it does not want to be limited, restricted, or restrained, and it desires full expression.
When you draw this card, it can reflect the state of feeling limited, restricted, or restrained in your creative endeavors. It can also reflect the state of anxiety or strife that you might be experiencing with Leo people in your life. The feeling of being limited, restricted, or restrained by Leo people, or the feeling of limiting, restricting, or restraining your own creative ability, is reflected by this aspect of Saturn in Leo. Strife or anxiety is a state where energy is stuck or unmoving, represented by the dull, grayed-over coloration of this symbol. Any holding back or self-limitation will move you into what alchemy called “leaded consciousness” — symbolized by the gray areas of this card. The lotus blossoms are gray, meaning that in states of anxiety, you have difficulty opening or unfolding. In states of anxiety or strife, you have difficulty accessing your inherent wisdom, moving in new directions, or regenerating yourself. In states of anxiety, frustration, or strife, you do not see things clearly — represented by the grayed-over winged Eye of Horus at the top of the card — and you are unable to renew and regenerate yourself. Yet the entire background of the card is yellow, symbolizing energy that wants to be used but is being contained or limited, which then creates the experience of strife.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next five weeks or five months, there is an opportunity to release the anxiety or frustration you are experiencing — whether during the month of Leo, with Leo people, or in relation to your own creativity. Within the next five weeks or five months, it is a good time to move toward creative endeavors where you feel you can express yourself fully, rather than binding or restricting yourself in any way. The Five of Wands reflects that you can release old anxiety patterns or frustrations that have surfaced in the last five months, or that go back to the last five years, or to when you were five years old. Within the next five weeks or five months, you are determined to release the anxiety patterns or frustration patterns that have been conditioned within your own family. This symbol reminds you that you are no longer willing to be the bearer of family anxiety patterns.
Six: Victory — Deep, Spiritual Victory
The Six of Wands represents the quality of victory. This is the experience of a deep victory or win that touches you at an intuitive and spiritual level. The astrological aspect of this symbol is Jupiter in Leo. Victory allows us to feel expansive and fluid like Jupiter, and highly creative like Leo. Any victory requires creativity and flexibility in order to be achieved — another aspect of Jupiter in Leo.
The ultimate victory, or spiritual victory, is the victory that provides a win-win situation rather than a win-lose situation — pictured by the lotus blossom. A win-win victory allows for mutual unfolding and opening; it allows for new energy and revitalization, represented by the ibis heads or phoenix heads. Victory allows for clarity of vision and creative expression, symbolized by the winged Eye of Horus with the regenerative serpents. A spiritual victory is experienced at all four levels of consciousness, symbolized by the four diamonds, representing a victory achieved mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next six weeks or six months, there is an opportunity to experience a victory — either with Leo people in your life, or a victory in your own creative expression. Regardless, the next six weeks or six months is a time when you can experience a win-win situation in important areas of your life. The Six of Wands represents that there could be opportunities or expansiveness in the creative areas of your life within the next six weeks or six months, giving you the experience of revitalization, expansion, and breakthrough.
Seven: Courage — Standing by What You Value
The Seven of Wands represents the quality of courage. Courage is the bravery to stand by what you value — not to compromise or settle for less. The central, niche-shaped wand on this card reminds you to trust your experience. If you have the courage to stand by what you value, things will unfold like the lotus blossoms, renewing and regenerating themselves, or allowing you to move in new directions that you value — represented by the ibis or phoenix heads. You will also be able to see things more clearly and honor your vision and creativity — represented by the winged Eye of Horus staff.
The astrological symbol of this card is Mars in Leo. Mars is the planet of energy and vitality that can support your creative expression — and Leo is that creative expression. When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next seven weeks or seven months, it is important for you to have the courage to stand by what you value, especially during the month of Leo or with Leo people in your life. Within the next seven weeks or seven months, it is important for you to stand by what you value in terms of your creative expression, work, or career, and not to compromise or settle for less. This is a time to trust your intuition and your past experiences.
Eight: Swiftness — Direct Communication and Swift Action
The Eight of Wands symbolizes the quality of swiftness. This symbol represents direct communication and swift action. It is a reminder that any block or obstacle you may be experiencing internally or externally — represented by the square — can be transformed into an electrified, energized diamond if you are willing to communicate directly. Mercury is the planet of communication, and Sagittarius is the astrological sign associated with directness and swiftness. The Eight of Wands reminds you that you can transform any situation, problem, or obstacle and resolve it by taking swift action and communicating directly. The opposite of this symbol is procrastination and covert communication.
When you draw this card, it is a reminder that within the next eight weeks or eight months, it is important to take swift action and communicate directly in order to eliminate patterns of procrastination or covert communication. The perfectly visible rainbow reminds you that whatever you have initiated, you must complete — in your communication and in your actions — within the next eight weeks or eight months. The Eight of Wands indicates that the next eight weeks or eight months would be a good time to take swift action and communicate directly with important Sagittarius people in your life. Regardless, the next eight weeks or eight months is an important time to communicate directly as things come up, and to take swift action as things present themselves.
Nine: Strength — Infinite Inner Strength from Deep Within
The Nine of Wands is strength. This is spiritual and intuitive strength of vision. Astrologically, this card is the Sun and Moon in Sagittarius, symbolizing conscious and subconscious strength. The Nine of Wands indicates strength of vision, perception, and intuition. It reflects strength on every level of consciousness — represented by the four intersecting arrows: mental strength, emotional strength, spiritual strength, and physical strength. This is a symbol of the unlimited strength that comes from deep within.
Whenever you draw this card, it indicates that within the next nine weeks or nine months, you have unlimited strength to call upon to manifest the visions, insights, and perceptions that are important to you. It is also strength that you can access to handle situations with important Sagittarius people in your life. Within the next nine weeks or nine months, you have deep internal resources to resolve issues you might have with Sagittarius people. The Nine of Wands reflects that the next nine weeks or nine months is a good time to implement your strength in what you see can work more effectively in both the personal and professional areas of your life.
Ten: Oppression — Holding Back and Self-Limitation
The Ten of Wands is oppression. On this card, the two Tibetan dorjes — sacred spiritual power objects — are dulled or grayed over, symbolizing the state of oppressing oneself. This oppression can come from holding back, editing, or rehearsing oneself, or from not fully expressing oneself — mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or physically. The astrological aspect on this card is Saturn in Sagittarius. Saturn is the planet of discipline, of knowing one’s limits and boundaries, and of being able to set limits and boundaries. There may be a tendency to limit oneself or one’s vision — represented by the astrological sign of Sagittarius.
When you draw this card, it indicates that within the next ten weeks or ten months, it is important for you to release self-oppression patterns such as holding yourself back or restricting yourself in any way. It is also a reminder that within the next ten weeks or ten months, it is an appropriate time to begin removing yourself from oppressive situations where you feel you are holding back or are not fully able to express all of who you are. The Ten of Wands could indicate that the next ten weeks or ten months is a good time to release oppressive patterns that you have developed with Sagittarius people in your life. At its core, the Ten of Wands is the state of consciousness where you hold back your own power.
A Complete Map of Will and Consciousness
From Ace to Ten, the Wand Suit leads us through the complete spectrum of will and consciousness:
The Ace is the flame of awakening — spiritual awakening, truth, and authenticity, the irrepressible life force within. The Two is dominion and balance — coming into your power from deep within in a balanced way. The Three is integrity and virtue — the union of mind, heart, and action working together. The Five is strife and anxiety — energy stagnation and frustration caused by holding back. The Six is victory — a deep, win-win experience that touches the spiritual level. The Seven is courage — standing by what you value, refusing to compromise or settle for less. The Eight is swiftness — direct communication and swift action, transforming obstacles into energy. The Nine is strength — infinite inner strength, solid and powerful on every level of consciousness. The Ten is oppression — the state of holding back and limiting yourself.
These ten landscapes are not destinations to be reached once and for all. They are states that each of us experiences daily. Sometimes we stand at the peak of the Ace’s awakening, sometimes we fall into the quagmire of the Five’s anxiety, sometimes we stand tall in the Nine’s infinite strength, and sometimes we feel trapped in the Ten’s oppression. Will is not a wild horse to be tamed, but an inner flame that continually awakens, expresses, and transcends itself.
References
Arrien, A. (1997). The Tarot handbook: Practical applications of ancient visual symbols. Tarcher.
