V of Wands

Power

struggle

The celebration of your success breeds resentment in your rivals and leads to conflict.

The V of Wands is symbolic of a power struggle. In the Hermetic Tarot it’s known as the ‘Lord of Strife.’ The hands of five diverse figures each brandish their wands in a show of power that is not necessarily threatening. Each one tops the last, but because they are equal in power they are locked in a stalemate. In the end it’s just a senseless struggle of egos that can yield no winner. The conflict may end if they stop to find common ground.

This card is ruled by Saturn and oversees the first decan of Leo.

In a reading this card represents conflict with others and opposing viewpoints. You may be stuck in an endless argument or competition with someone that is not doing you any good and may be inhibiting your ability to move forward. However, it isn’t always a bad thing to be challenged by others if you are willing to keep an open mind. A good rival may push you further towards your goals. It may fall upon you to be the peacekeeper or voice of reason in a situation in order to bring about change.

The reversed represents internal conflict brought about by outside influences. The things you see and hear may be contrary to what you feel and believe in. It’s up to you to decide what to believe and how to carry yourself in this world. You may be avoiding conflict because it is too difficult to handle. It’s good to pick your battles, but some things are worth fighting for. It can also represent that your conflict has come to an end and you finally feel at peace with yourself.