Minor Arcana - The suit of Wands

Wands are the element of fire. These cards deal with the flame that burns within each of us – the desires and beliefs we hold in our core and that drives the things we do. These cards are very active, dealing with projects and battles, creativity and destruction.

becoming

• A new start… in the form of ideas, passions, action

• Actually doing things

• Starting projects

• Saying yes

• Preparing to do something big or exciting

preperation is everything

• urges us to pause first, and figure out where we’re going, what we are trying to achieve

• tension between excitement and inaction - action and stillness; You’re preparing to act and there’s energy building up inside you, but for now it’s better to be still with it

• write an action plan ; figure out why you want to do a thing - understand what’s driving you

• let it shift (your initial vision might differ greatly from what you finnaly decide on)

• This may also signal returning to an idea you had abandoned long ago. Pick your idea back up, and toy with it a while. How does it feel now? Is it time to give it another go?

• similar to focus of the chariot

the time is now - action

• After the stillness and the strategising of the Two, we are ready. It’s time to launch that ship, to set sail. It’s time to press go.

• It’s not only about beginnings. Threes are often mid-points, turning points, moments of change – here, that could mean a renewed zest for an ongoing project, or pushing through an important decision, or stepping up to new responsibilities.

• Feel good and optimistic about your plans, know that you have the strength to do this thing, to see it through.

• similar to the magician card

a pause and a celebration

• stand back and look how far we’ve come (mid-way); why not?

• plenty of work ahead - but for now a day off

• work life balance; we are more than our work / the things we create

• do things that feel good

• As this is a four, it’s about structure in some way. Here, that looks like structuring time off into your work schedule, or remembering to share your achievements with friends. This simple acts bring joy into our lives, which sustains us in the long run.

• or any other party

a playground tussle

• smal conflict - meaningless battles

• battle of egos; to see who is the strongest

• consider if it’s worth it; what is the battle about? If it’s worth it, avoid pettiness, dirty tactics and stick with what you know - don’t be drawn into someone elses war of egos (not yours to fight or noth worth engaging in)

• area of conflict in your life; common sense approach - is this worth my time/energy?

victory (and humility)

• experience of triumph - but its a step on the path / winning the battle in the war

• This is about spreading our wings and feeling free. It’s a moment of becoming, of personal celebration.

• Ideals: This is a good sign for any situation in which you’re fighting for what you believe in. It’s a sign of strength, courage, and that you are ‘on the right side’.

• honor your principles; stand up for what you feel is right / or a moment for you to really step up (leadership)

• stay humble; this is not an ending; there is still work to do - practice gratitude ( acknowledge people/cicumstances) that enabled point of success

defeat the haters

• this can feel like a fight - to defend our truths

• Seven of Wands is firmly on the side of the single, personal truth, even if it is a minority view. It asks each of us to be proud of who we are, to own our truths and our experiences, and yes, if necessary, to fight.

• here the fight is worth it

• it celebrates your power, your light, your difference. It wants that light to shine, bold and bright, for all to see

• There is a loneliness in this card because it is focused on your power and difference as an individual, but within this is the question of what you can do with that power. Focus on that.

• celebrating who you are and being unafraid to show it

deliver your message

• loud, direct messages - clear communication with purpose and meaning - your ideas get spoken into the world

• dynamic, in motion, on it’s way, has arrived

• an idea worth sharing - find a way to share it; how can you make it easy for others to hear/understand

• consider how you communicate (all forms of coms)

• Appreciate and honour the power in your words

it’s worth it

• tiredness; feeling like giving up - have put in a lot of work

• what you are doing is meaningful - it’s teaching you something about who you are and it’s making the world a better place

• rest if you need but don’t give up - it’s worth it

• if you are at the beginning of something this card reminds you that it will get tough at times; every project has ups and downs - you have to be prepared to go through those low points too and keep the faith

• you are “nearly there” - completion is just around the corner

• or change of priorities; you don’t believe in the goal anymore - depends on other cards in the reading - may be encouraging you to get back to the principles at the heart of your work and check that you truly believe in what you do

you are not your achievements

• We have taken on more than we can handle, and the result is, we are lost. Overwhelmed. Burned out.

• we can have too much of a good thing, and fire left unchecked can be all-consuming

• The answer? Delegation. Let go of control and let someone help you. Remember that wands very often point to ego, and our egos are so often bound up in our achievements. Our ability to tick things off a list and pronounce our days ‘productive’. The way others might look at us, saying “wow, how does she do it all?” It’s time to let go of that need. You are not the sum of your achievements, your worth is not measured by a fully-crossed-off list.

• put things down, resign, admit you won’t be able to do the thing, quit

• Maybe it’s not safe to just walk away from something right now – well, get your loose ends tied up and a succession plan in place, because you can’t carry this thing on your own forever. Honour the commitments you’ve made if you must, but with an eye to gradually stepping away.

• skill of saying “no” - you don’t have to do everything

• Think about how you use your energy, think about its best, most productive use. Think about the ways you waste time (‘busy work’, for example) and how this eats up your energy, diminishing your capacity for more important things.