The Suits - Part 2
To work successfully wth the Minor Arcana it is vital to develop a clear understanding of Tarot's four suits and what they represent. Here we look at the suits of Wands and Swords
Seeing the Signs
Once you have developed a detailed understanding of Tarot's suits and what they represent, you will find techniques like Intuitive Reading and balancing a Spread significantly easier. For example, you will be able to spot important elements in a Spread just by noting the number of times the different suits appear.
In a balanced Spread, all of the suits will appear in more or less equal number. This should immediately signal to a Reader that the Querent's situation is healthy, stable and unlikely to change dramatically.
Important information can be instantly gained too if one suit is over-represented or absent from reading. For example, if there are many Pentacles in a Spread then the focus will be on material issues, finances and health. The absence of pentacles suggests poverty and the inability to provide for one's needs.
Wands
Element: Fire
Roles: Creative, Masculine, Ascending, Explosive
Keywords: Desire, Passion, Spirituality, Work, Morals, Growth, Action, Evolution, Sexuality, Inspiration, Intetionl Objectives, Career, Growth, Insight, Creativity, Ardour, Excitement, Fervour, Rapture, Devotion, Pursuits, Yearning, Appetite
Wands represent the ability yo identify objectives, express creativity and fuel passions. They are associated with the element of Fire, the colour red, the sexual sphere, business, career affairs and the season of Spring.
A Spread in which multiple Wands appear indicates decisive action. An absence of this suit, meanwhile, indicates impotence, inability to act or restlessness.
Wands can be destructive because they are associated with the explosive element of Fire. Following passion blindly can lead to disarray, but without the spark of creation embodied by Wands, there would be no drive, ambition or desire.
Wands indicate what we want and why. They symbolise inspiration, intention, orientation and action. Wands express the emotion and intensity driving us to act. They include moral and traditional activities, such as family care, education, teaching, law and religion, and indicates evolution and brilliance.
Intuition: Wands provide clear insights that arise spontaneously and unpredictable. It is important to follow these observations, especially in relation to creative and professional work.
Decision-making and thinking: Wans illuminate with insight and impulse, even in practical and intellectual matters. They can also indicate control and awareness in decision-making.
A comparison of the cards: Wands represent the ability o live in harmony with natural cycles and expansive energies. Wands connect to nature and the essence of evolution. The developmental nature of this suit is often illustrated on Tarot cards in the form of sticks that bear sprouting green leaves.
Intuition
Wands provide clear insights that arise spontaneously and unpredictable. It is important to follow these observations, especially in relation to creative and professional work.
Decision-Making and Thinking
Wands illuminate with insight and impulse, even in practical and intellectual matters. They can also indicate control and awareness in decision-making.
A Comparison of the Cards
Wands represent the ability to live in harmony with natural cycles and expansive energies. Wands connect to nature and the essence of evolution. The developmental nature of this suit is often illustrated on Tarot cards in the form of sticks that bear sprouting green leaves.
When you look through the Tarot decks in your collection you will probably notice that the suits aren't always called Cups, Penatcles, Wands and Swords.
The names of suits can vary according to the deck. Regardless of the name, the symbolic meaning of each suit remains ssentially the same. The following are some alternative names you are likely to come across:
Wands: May also be known as Clubs, Rods, Batons, Sticks, Staves, Fire, Rods or Torches.
Swords: Sometimes called Spades, Knives, Air, Daggers, Arrows, Clouds or Athames.
Cups: Also called Chalices, Love, Water, Vessels or Hearts.
Pentacles: Alternative names include Coins, Diamonds, Discs, Spheres, Money, Earth and Crystals.
Updated
19 January 2025 at 15:15:15