The essential meanings of this Minor Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Five of Wands upright symbolizes conflict, competition, or creative chaos. It often appears when there’s a clash of opinions or a situation where everyone wants to be heard, sometimes resulting in minor disagreements or friendly competition. This card can suggest healthy competition (sparring that pushes everyone to improve) or just disorganized energy that needs direction. Upright, it encourages you to stand up for yourself, but also to find a way to work together or channel the competitive energy productively.

Reversed: The Five of Wands reversed often indicates a desire to avoid conflict or that a chaotic situation is settling down. You might be stepping away from a competition or finding a compromise to end disagreements. In some cases, it suggests internal conflict – struggling with yourself rather than others. The reversed card can encourage open communication and finding common ground. It’s about resolving tension, either by addressing the issues and clearing the air or by choosing your battles and letting go of unnecessary drama.

Three Possibilities

The secrets of this card for heart, mind and soul.

Love: Passion collides with conflict. Tension, competition, or misunderstandings may arise. Though challenges loom, they can be resolved with patience. Be mindful of unnecessary arguments; compromise can preserve harmony.

Career: Struggles and competition appear in the workplace. Whether it’s clashing opinions or rivalries, the Five of Wands warns of tension. Conflict can lead to growth if approached wisely—stand firm yet seek solutions.

Spirituality: Inner turmoil may cloud your path. Competing beliefs or distractions pull you in different directions. Find clarity by aligning your energy and focusing on what truly matters.