Suit of wands
{{Short description|Tarot card suit}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox card suit
| image = 1JJ Tarot - Wands 02.jpg
| image_upright = 0.5
| image_alt =
| caption = Four of Wands from the 1JJ Tarot deck
| native_name =
| deck = Minor Arcana
| invented =
}}
The suit of wands is one of four suits in tarot, collectively known as the Minor Arcana. Like the other tarot suits, the suit of wands contains fourteen cards: ace (one), two through ten, page and knight (sometimes referred to as princess and prince), queen and king.{{Cite web |title=The Meanings Of The Suit Of Wands |url=https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/minor-arcana/suit-of-wands/ |access-date=2019-04-10 |website=www.biddytarot.com |language=en-US}} When Tarot cards are to play Tarot card games, where wands corresponds to the suit of batons.{{Cite book |last=Dummett |first=Michael |title=The Game of Tarot |date=1980 |publisher=Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd. |isbn=0-7156-1014-7 |authorlink=Michael Dummett}} Tarot cards came to be utilized for divinatory purposes by esotericists such as Eliphas Levi and were regularized into the divinatory form most known today by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Rider–Waite Tarot, created by a Golden Dawn member.Huson, Paul, (2004) Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient Roots to Modern Usage, Vermont: Destiny Books, {{ISBN|0-89281-190-0}}
[http://www.innertraditions.com/Product.jmdx?action=displayDetail&id=887&searchString=huson&y=7&x=7 Mystical Origins of the Tarot] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225647/http://www.innertraditions.com/Product.jmdx?action=displayDetail&id=887&searchString=huson&y=7&x=7 |date=2007-09-27 }}
Divinatory and occult meanings
In Aleister Crowley's 1944 The Book of Thoth, the suit of wands is associated with the action of the Will and the element of fire. 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,{{Cite web |title=Wands Tarot Cards |url=https://tarot-time.com/tarot-card-meanings/minor-arcana/wands/ |access-date=2021-02-20 |website=tarot-time.com |language=en-US}} and original thought.{{Cite web |title=Suit of Wands Meanings |url=https://www.astrology.com/tarot/card-meanings/suit-of-wands |access-date=2019-04-10 |website=www.astrology.com}}
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
Wands03.jpg|Three of Wands
Wands04.jpg|Four of Wands
Wands05.jpg|Five of Wands
Wands06.jpg|Six of Wands
Wands07.jpg|Seven of Wands
Wands08.jpg|Eight of Wands
Tarot Nine of Wands.jpg|Nine of Wands
Wands10.jpg|Ten of Wands
Wands11.jpg|Page of Wands
Wands12.jpg|Knight of Wands
Wands13.jpg|Queen of Wands
Wands14.jpg|King of Wands
See also
- Batons – suit of Latin (Italian/Spanish) playing cards