neptunesdolphins | SELECTED SYMBOLS IN THE TAROT: WANDS

Astrology adds shades of meaning to the various symbols found in the Tarot. In the Suit of Wands, the castle appears in three cards – the Two of Wands, Four of Wands and Eight of Wands. In the Tarot, castles are symbols of sovereignty and power. The Two of Wands depicts a confident male standing on a parapet surveying his domain. The castle in the Four of Wands dominates the celebration. Finally in the Eight of Wands, the formidable castle lies off in the distance.

Two and Four of Wands are in the First and Third Decan of Aries, respectively. Aries, the cardinal fire of new beginnings, has Mars as its Ruler. This Planet also governs the First Decan of Aries. Because of this, the castle is the governing authority. In the Third Decan, Venus, the Ruler, is in detriment to Mars and Aries. The somber castle in the Four of Wands stands in opposition of the gaiety of the people.

Meanwhile, the Eight of Wands is in the First Decan of Sagittarius, the mutable fire of transitions. The Rule of this Decan, Mercury acts as a bridge between the worlds. The wands in the foreground refers to the communication of ideas. Meanwhile, the distant castle is there as a reminder of the fundamental power of information.

In the Wands, mountains are often depicted in the distance. Mountains can either indicate a great challenge or the height of aspirations (or both). The people featured in Wands are either facing the mountains or have their backs to them.

The Three of Wands lies in the Second Decan of Aries, and has the Ruler, the Sun in exaltation. In this card, the man is facing the mountains, assured of his sovereignty of self. In contrast, the Five of Wands is in the First Decan of Leo. Since Saturn rules this Decan, the Ruler of Leo, the Sun is in conflict with this Planet. In the turmoil of fighting, the mountains stand in silent witness of the challenge yet to be considered.

The Eight of Wands and the Nine of Wands both lie in the Decans of Sagittarius. In the Eight of Wands, the mountains wait to be transcended. Meanwhile, the Nine of Wands is in the Second Decan of Sagittarius, where the Moon reigns. Corrine Kenner, in “Tarot and Astrology,” notes that the Moon calms the hyper-energy of Sagittarius. The guard quietly stands with his back to the mountains, pondering the challenges that will come next.

The stage, a subtle symbol, is the flat surface on which the characters act out a tableau. In “Tarot Deciphered,” T. Susan Chang and M.M. Meleen says that stages “remind the reader that this scene and the role we play in it shall soon pass.” The stage indicates that the person is usually reacting to an incident. Pausing on their journey, the person will take on a temporary role.

While the Four of Wands depict a celebration, Venus the Ruler of the Decan is in detriment in Aries. Therefore, this celebration is but a fleeting moment. In contrast, the Decan of the Nine of Wands has the Moon as the Ruler. Calming the restless energy of Sagittarius, the Moon lets the guard to pause to reflect. Meanwhile, Saturn rules the Last Decan of Sagittarius. The burden that the Ten of Wands carries requires the man to pause to stabilize his load of wands.

Works Used:

Chang, T. Susan and M.M. Meleen, “Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot.” 2021. Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN).

Drury, Nevill, “The Tarot Workbook.” 2004. Thunder Bay Press: San Diego (CA).

Kenner, Corrine, “Tarot and Astrology.” 2011. Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN).

Greer, Mary “21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card.” 2006. Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN).

Hall, Judy, “The Astrology Bible.” 2005. Sterling: New York.

Louis, Anthony, “Tarot: Beyond the Basics.” 2014. Llewellyn: Woodbury (MN).