Six of Wands Tarot Card: Upright and Reversed Meanings Explained
Six of Wands
Card Interpretation
The Six of Wands depicts a scene of victory, a glorious procession of troops, the return of the triumphant, and the arrival of good news. In the foreground, a rider on horseback carries a staff adorned with a laurel wreath, while the five staffs behind him represent the five people from the Five of Wands ahead. This knight must surely be a capable leader who can calm the originally chaotic scene, unite the crowd, and guide everyone forward toward a common goal. The group cheers and supports this knight, earning him the crowd's applause and high praise. His staff is taller than the others, symbolizing promotion, and everyone is celebrating this advancement. Additionally, the Six of Wands is also associated with success and achievement; it may represent a return with rewards, accompanied by splendid attire.
Card Meaning Interpretation
The fire element in the Six of Wands showcases the aspect of success. As an element that gets things done today rather than tomorrow, the conflict from the Five of Wands is swiftly resolved in the Six of Wands. Thus, it can also represent the glorious post-battle scene.
The Wands suit progresses from the passionate creation of the King of Wands all the way through the competition and strife of the Five of Wands, until the Six of Wands, where it finally enjoys victory. On the card, you can see the knight gloriously riding back in triumph, welcomed by the five soldiers on the side holding staffs in formation. This is the first card in the Wands suit that conveys a sense of hierarchy: the main subject is the victorious knight, and the supporting figures are the welcoming soldiers. The knight represents glory, while the soldiers symbolize cheers and admiration. Although this is a victorious scene, be cautious not to let success go to your head and breed arrogance.
The Six of Wands can also represent the arrival of good news, with the knight symbolizing the messenger who brings joyful tidings that make people celebrate and dance in welcome. If you're preparing to undertake something and draw the Six of Wands, it indicates that those around you approve and support it. In that case, we should learn from the knight's confidence and boldly ride forward on the path to success. Generally speaking, the Six of Wands is a symbol of success and honor. When you draw this card, remember the initial efforts and hardships, appreciate and thank the supporters around you, and that will keep this success going strong.
Upright Meaning
- Achieving victory, triumphant return, winning awards or titles, returning with riches, and so on.
- Efforts yielding results and receiving rewards.
- Good news arriving.
- Smooth progress and achieving goals.
- Love prospects flowing to fruition.
- Abilities shining through, filled with confidence.
This Six of Wands card represents how your confidence, combined with corresponding efforts, leads to success. It also signifies that goals have been established, plans are underway, and a strong belief in success along with an intense desire to achieve it make this a card that vividly demonstrates ongoing momentum. However, in most interpretations, the Six of Wands largely represents already achieved success, the joy of enjoying it, or starting to attract some followers because of that success. Especially when this card appears in the future position, it even more firmly confirms the certainty of success in what you're currently pursuing. Of course, such success isn't accidental or due to good luck, but built upon your own efforts and the strong desire to succeed.
Corresponding Meanings in Various Life Aspects
- Love: When this upright Six of Wands card appears, it confirms that you two share close goals, and you may achieve them together. Congratulations to you both!
- Wealth: If you're asking whether doing it this way will create wealth, when this upright Six of Wands appears, you can confidently say "yes"—success will be yours.
- Career: When this upright Six of Wands appears, in work readings, it points to you getting a promotion or realizing the goals you want, all earned through your previous efforts!
- Appearance: Your appearance gives off a full sense of confidence, but it also makes people feel reliable.
- Health: When this upright Six of Wands appears, in health terms, it indicates your body is in peak condition, allowing you to accomplish goals in work or studies.
Reversed Meaning
- Failure.
- Unrealistic deals.
- Internal enemies.
- Arrogance and self-satisfaction leading to bad outcomes.
- Bad news arriving.
- Delayed success.
In the reversed Six of Wands, the knight may have fallen from his horse, no longer receiving others' approval or honor, and even carrying feelings of disappointment. Failure in pursuit, bringing back bad news of defeat, losing confident attitude, with others no longer seeing his abilities as superior—skills not matching up. The journey also suggests messages might arrive quite late, or there could be detours in travel.
On the reversed Six of Wands, it's due to insufficient confidence, or unsteady beliefs, incomplete planning, leading to inability to succeed or only temporary success. It could also be because of inadequate self-affirmation, lack of confidence, causing uncertainty about success. This card also represents giving up too quickly, lacking persistence.
Corresponding Meanings in Various Life Aspects
- Love: When this reversed Six of Wands appears, it indicates that due to fear of losing love, you've created a false sweet romance now, resulting in greater and greater distance between you two.
- Wealth: When this reversed Six of Wands appears, in wealth creation, your negative mindset also affects your earning of money, so your financial luck isn't great!
- Career: When this reversed Six of Wands appears, at work, you're prone to giving up too quickly; as soon as you feel pressure or burdens too heavy, you lose passion for the job, leading to failure.
- Appearance: Your appearance gives off a feeling of being listless and dispirited, as if unwilling to interact with people.
- Health: When this reversed Six of Wands appears, in health readings, it points to you having constant minor ailments because of negative assumptions about your body's poor condition, and not seeing a doctor.