Six of Wands Tarot Card Meaning & Interpretations

Understanding the meaning of any Tarot card is much easier when you compare it to other cards. Begin by comparing with the preceding card, and the card following it, in the suit. Then compare it to cards with the same numerology, remembering to reduce double digit numbered cards. The 6 of Wands is one such card that should be viewed together with its adjacent cards in the Suit of Wands. The 5 of Wands, in the Rider Waite Smith (RWS) deck, is illustrated as 5 men struggling to bring together 5 wands in a cohesive structure like the one seen in the 4 of Wands beautiful 4 sided pergola. These cards are almost like the pictures in a cartoon which make no sense on their own. Viewing them together you could infer that someone, riding a horse, has come along and taken charge of the 5 of Wands disarray. This is one such interpretation of the 6 of Wands, that it has the meaning of bringing harmony and responsibility to the element of Fire. The element of Fire symbolises energy, passion and drive. It is the fire that burns in the home and within the engines of our transport and industry. Therefore that harmony and responsibility is brought into the home, the community and work place. It benefits projects, ambitions and where we direct our energy and labour.

In numerology the number 6 symbolises responsibility and harmony with particular attention to the home, family and community. If you look at the other cards numbered 6 in Tarot you'll see they all have a common theme of harmony. The Lovers has this harmony but with more focus on responsibility. The Devil is a 6 too (1+5) but it reveals to us the consequences of being irresponsible.

The RWS deck illustration of this card has a man wearing the laurel crown of a victor carrying a wand also adorned with a laurel. This detail distinguishes one other possible meaning for the 6 of Wands which is a victory and a hero. As a Minor Arcana card this will be a minor victory and a hero among friends, family and colleagues. It doesn't proclaim any grandeur and remains modest. Any success achieved, that this card refers to, will be to the benefit of everyone and not just a central character. In the RWS deck our hero is riding from West to East and facing forward. This is in the direction of the future which is where he is leading the other 5 wand bearers. Any success and victory may not be immediately apparent. It maybe a long term result and outcome which may not make sense presently but at a later point in time. In its simplest interpretation this card points to someone responsible taking charge and leading the way forward.

The 6 of Wands, 6 of Rods or 6 of Batons, is a card of success after a struggle and advancement. The element here is Fire which relates to home, community, work and creativity. The aspects of the number 6 in numerology are harmony, responsibility, service and family. The 6 of Wands has a theme of long term victory and success to benefit of everyone in the home or work place. As a person this card would be describing someone who is charismatic, successful and very well respected. Someone who people trust to lead them.

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THE PICTORIAL KEY TO THE TAROT

By Arthur Edward Waite (1911)

A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side. Divinatory Meanings: The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth. Reversed: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.

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