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The Five of Wands tarot card represents conflict and struggle.

It often appears when you are faced with challenges or obstacles that require you to put in a lot of effort and energy to overcome.

However, these struggles can also be opportunities for growth and personal development, so it is essential not to give up or become discouraged during these times.

To navigate the Five of Wands successfully, staying focused on your goals and remaining confident in your abilities is essential.

With perseverance and determination, you can overcome any obstacles that come your way.

Before getting into more of the Five of Wands' meanings, let's go over the history and appearance of the card.

The History And Appearance of the Five of Wands

The Five of Wands appeared in the tarot cards in the 15th century, but the card's origins have not been known.

The card has been associated with conflict, competition, and struggle over time.

When you look at the Five of Wands tarot card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, you will see that five men are fighting with one another as they use their weapons and wands.

But you also see that the weapons and wands are not harming others.

The picture speaks of chaos as there is no purpose in the fight.

You see the men wearing different clothing representing their diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

Because of that, they cannot find common ground or a compromise.

That is a card of strife, as you know, and let's talk about what it means when you get this card in a reading.

What It Means When You Get The Five of Wands In A Reading

The Five of Wands tarot card is all about conflict and competition.

If you get this card in a reading, it indicates that there may be some unrest or disagreements in your near future.

This can be anything from a simple argument with a friend to a more serious dispute at work or in your personal life.

However, the Five of Wands also suggests that this discord is not necessarily bad.

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On the contrary, it can often be a sign of progress.

After all, no one ever achieved anything significant without encountering a little bit of opposition.

So if you're currently facing some challenges, take heart, knowing that they could be leading you to something even better.

This card can also appear in a reading when you are experiencing a challenging situation or challenge that requires you to draw on your inner strength and resilience at the moment.

It is a reminder to dig into your resources and get some support to face it.

Despite its associations with strife and discord, many readers see the Five of Wands as a symbol of creativity and growth.

It can serve as an inspiration to keep moving forward in difficult times, no matter what obstacles lie in your path.

But, of course, that also depends on how you define it.

But most readers do see this card as all about discord and strife.

Here is an easy thing to envision.

You enjoy a dinner party, and everyone else around you is having so much fun. The Four of Wands represents that for all you know.

But then, a disgruntled acquaintance who is offended that the host did not invite them to that party shows up and crashes it.

That creates a lot of disharmony, strife, and anger.

That is the Five of Wands right there.

The four is about stability, and the five is about change and upheaval, which applies to all of the suits.

The chances are that almost everyone has been in a situation like that, as I was when a disgruntled frenemy crashed my engagement party. Oh yes, good times.

However, even though Risa Green can relate to the Five of Wands, since she has never had a real party, even her wedding was a small and quiet one, she does not know what it is like to anyone crash a party.

Perhaps she dreams about crashing parties.

She probably fantasizes about crashing her sister's parties since her sister has the upper hand compared to her.

Anyway, Risa knows all about strife and conflict.

When she explodes when her parents are pushing her, her mother hits her with a wooden spoon to stop her is an example of a Five of Wands scenario.

When she fights with her son while dressing or bathing him, that is also a Five of Wands scenario.

Risa is not only used to conflict, but she expects it, and that is also why she struggles the way she does.

Some aspects of the Five of Wands reversed also apply to Risa. Let's talk about the Five of Wands reversed.

Five of Wands Reversed

When the Five of Wands is in reverse, it indicates inner conflict, or it can mean that you are avoiding potential conflict.

It can also mean that you are releasing tension that has been built up once and for all.

The latter does not match Risa's situation at all.

But the former is true. She struggles with many inner conflicts, as anyone with mental illnesses or trauma-related disorders does.

Deep down, Risa knows that she should stand up for herself and stop allowing herself to let others cross whatever boundaries she has.

Perhaps she knows she needs to create more boundaries and clean up her life.

But at the same time, Risa has given up, which is why she has this inner conflict.

And that once again can be the case with anyone who struggles with mental illness.

I am also familiar with it, even in some cases like now.

Now, let's talk about how you can apply this card to your life for a good purpose.

How To Apply The Five Of Wands To Your Life

The best thing to do is to think about what battles to pick, and that is the best way to apply this card to your life.

Some battles are not worth it, and the ones that are, pursue them.

For example, if you have a friend or a partner who has a good heart but you find them a little too picky, it may get on your nerves, but as long as they are not being judgmental towards you in any way, it is best to not fight with them about their picky behavior.

Also, as mentioned, this card can be used to ignite your creative and passionate sides.

Of course, there are plenty of other tarot cards that can do that, such as the Ace of Wands.

However, this one will do. You may find this card more motivating in that case, but that is an idea for you.

Sometimes we need something to help us see the creative and passionate parts of us, and this card can help with that.

It may be better to use this card if you are going through a challenging time. Perhaps you need some creativity for problem-solving.

It gets you moving. The next card is a 180 from this one, which is the Six of Wands, and I will talk about that one next time!