Six of Wands

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Card Name:
Six of Wands
Arcana:
Minor Arcana
Suit:
Wands
Key Meaning:
victory, achievement, confidence, overcoming
Reversed:
delay, loss of direction, conflict, lack of ambition
The Six of Wands – a Minor Arcana card that represents triumph, recognition, and pride.

Archetype

The Six of Wands represents a period of successfully overcoming challenges and receiving rewards. It's time to drop the modesty and own your major wins—whether in your career, relationships, or any other part of your life.

In readings, this card means success that goes way beyond what you expected. It retains its meaning even in reverse, though the success may come later than anticipated.
The Six of Wands – a reward card for achieving a goal
The Six of Wands – a reward card for achieving a goal
When this card shows up in a spread, it's time to celebrate—it's all about crushing your tasks, projects, and goals. The Six of Wands is basically the "little sibling" of The Chariot from the Major Arcana. Both cards embody moments of victory and triumph.

You can see what this card represents in Olympic champions standing on the podium with gold medals—their faces show zero doubt that they've earned every bit of their success. They were the best, and their victory is well-earned.

Symbolism of the Card

Like all Wands cards, the Six of Wands connects to the Fire element, and its symbols capture that fiery energy and creative spark.

The card depicts a young man riding a white horse, holding a wand in his hand. He is surrounded by a celebrating crowd, raising their wands in recognition of his triumph.

The rider is calm and in control. He doesn't look at the crowd around him—his eyes are fixed on the horizon ahead. He knows he can't just coast on past wins—there are new challenges waiting ahead. Everything about this card screams that this rider is going to reach even greater heights.

Many people follow the horse. Unlike the fighting figures in the Five of Wands, these people represent teamwork and support. There's no jealousy here—they see him as their leader and genuinely celebrate his win.

The card features two laurel wreaths. One crowns the rider's head, and the other is tied with a red ribbon to his wand. The wreath on the rider's head represents celebration after victory, while the one hanging from his wand honors those lost in battle. Real leadership requires both sides of triumph—the glory and the sacrifice.

Key Meaning

The Six of Wands shows up when you've put in the work toward your goal, and success is finally within reach. The recognition you have sought for so long is now yours—and deservedly so! Now you can receive honors and rewards.

If victory still seems far off, know that it's not—this card shows it's already on its way. Of course, this only works if you're doing everything you can to make it happen.
6 of Wands portends an early victory
6 of Wands portends an early victory
The victory indicated by the card is not necessarily a victory in a conflict with another person. You might triumph over yourself, your circumstances, or even fate itself.

The Six of Wands also represents healthy self-esteem. Feeling proud of your accomplishments is an important part of success, but excessive pride eventually turns into arrogance and hubris, the deadliest of sins. If this card appears in your reading, ask yourself—do you feel superior to others? It's easy to forget that personal achievements are rarely possible without support from those close to you.

Key words associated with this card:
  • victory,
  • goal achievement,
  • leadership,
  • recognition,
  • mastery,
  • spiritual strength,
  • enthusiasm,
  • self-confidence,
  • admiration,
  • triumph,
  • talent,
  • acknowledgment and success.

General Meaning of the Card in Upright Position

When the Six of Wands appears upright, it shows that your outstanding achievements came through hard work. You stayed focused on a specific goal from the start, which is exactly why you've achieved success and earned public recognition.

The card indicates that the work you have done will bring rewards and recognition. But there's a condition: once you achieve success, you should first show generosity and share your rewards with those who stood by you during the tough times, and second, make peace with competitors who weren't as fortunate.

In practical terms, this card points to good news without all the drama: your hopes will come alive in the best possible way, desires will be fulfilled, and you'll find success in business.
Six of Wands brings positive news and a well-deserved reward
Six of Wands brings positive news and a well-deserved reward
It's important to note that this card never speaks of sudden luck or unexpected wealth. The Six of Wands always signifies a well-earned victory through appropriate efforts.

Ultimately, this card means that all your past experiences and failures happened for a reason: they've positively shaped your inner maturity and personal growth. After all, without going through hardships, you can't truly savor the taste of victory. Therefore, it is worth fighting for victory, not backing down from obstacles, and moving forward towards success.

General Meaning of the Card in Reversed Position

The reversed Six of Wands reveals problems that keep haunting the querent. Long-awaited news gets delayed or turns out far less joyful than expected.

Delays are likely caused by betrayal from someone close to the querent. Brace yourself for conflict – the enemy's already at the gates. This person might praise you to your face while criticizing you behind your back and spreading rumors. Fear of deception leads to indecision and makes reaching your desired goal much harder. The Six of Wands calls on the querent to follow the tried-and-true formula: "Trust, but verify."
The Inverted Six of Wands Often Speaks of Problems
The Inverted Six of Wands Often Speaks of Problems
However, according to zoomboola.com's tarot reader, in a reversed position, this arcana can signal problems of any kind – essentially warning of a difficult period ahead. A project the querent had high hopes for gets postponed indefinitely, putting its future in serious doubt.

The reversed Six of Wands signals a fall from achieved heights and loss of leadership. Colleagues and partners might also play a role in this failure. It can also point to success – but an unconvincing one achieved through dishonest means.

Other meanings of the reversed Six of Wands include: futile gains compared to efforts expended; arrogance and disregard for people who helped launch the querent's success; fear of failure, painful defeat, and loss of self-respect. All this creates panic, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and unwillingness to compromise.

The Meaning of the Card in Love in Upright Position

The Six of Wands is an excellent card for love matters because it often signals people coming together. This card frequently appears when two people marry and unite their families, or when a family expands with a new child.

Now's a great time to think about what you want from a relationship and say it out loud. However, this arcana's fiery nature warns against rushing decisions.
The Six of Wands is an excellent card in matters of love
The Six of Wands is an excellent card in matters of love
Another meaning of the Six of Wands in relationships is focusing on positive aspects rather than negative ones. This arcana emphasizes celebrating achievements while leaving complaints and disputes at the door – at least for now. If there's been a recent conflict in your relationship, it's time to bury the hatchet and give each other space to reflect on what led to the fight. Remember that the problems you and your partner face are small compared to what binds you together.

The Meaning of the Card in Love in a Reversed Position

If the Six of Wands appears reversed in a love reading, it can mean that despite supporting your partner's goals, the relationship has lost its spark. Two people who once loved each other no longer show interest in their partner's successes and don't keep promises because they're too absorbed in their own plans and goals. Don't let your ego destroy the relationship.
The Inverted 6 of Wands Speaks of a Cooling Relationship
The Inverted 6 of Wands Speaks of a Cooling Relationship
The reversed Six of Wands can signal jealousy, reckless actions, or a rival who's interested in your partner. The card may also point to long waits for certain events (like a marriage proposal).

Six of Wands as the Card of the Day

If the Six of Wands appears as the Card of the Day, its meaning might be as follows:
  • Upright: You're in for an active, high-energy day packed with enthusiasm and ready to take charge. Step confidently into leadership and guide others forward. The Six of Wands also suggests the possibility of starting a new project or dedicating time to a new hobby.
  • Reversed: You may find yourself low on motivation and inspiration today. Unexpected roadblocks might pop up throughout the day, whether from other people's actions or challenging circumstances beyond your control. Stay optimistic and trust in your abilities, even when today feels tough.

What the Six of Wands Warns About

This card often signals that a rival has entered your life. This person is dangerously selfish, arrogant, vengeful, and greedy—someone who feeds on flattery. They have no moral principles. They'll trample anyone to reach their goals and stoop to any level of cruelty.

The card also advises against forcing events—let things unfold naturally. Your path to victory might be tough and lengthy, but the wait and hard work will pay off.

The Six of Wands urges you to release unrealistic fantasies and push past indecision. You can reach new heights by using diplomatic approaches in your conflicts and respecting different perspectives. Move in the right direction until you reach the finish line.