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The Five of Wands card is the challenge, the strength test, the sporting competition card. It depicts situations that force us to prove our strength. There is no question of hostility, even less destructive opposites. It is a test of strength that comes from teasing and cheerful scabies, manifested in a competition-like or all-encompassing task. It is a playful character that only becomes serious in a few unfavorable situations. The card experience should not be avoided, as it is a good and generally exciting opportunity to raise awareness of our skills.

FIVE OF WANDS : STRIFE

In the “Naples arrangement”, the introduction of the number Five shows the idea of motion coming to the aid of that of matter. This is quite a revolutionary conception; the result is a complete upset of the statically stabilized system. Now appear storm and stress.

This must not be regarded as something “evil”. The natural feeling about it is really a little more than the reluctance of people to get up from lunch and go back to the job. In the Buddhist doctrine of Sorrow this idea is implicit, that inertia and insensitiveness must characterize peace. The climate of India is perhaps partly responsible for this notion. The Adepts of the White School, of which the Tarot is the sacred book, cannot agree to such a simplification of existence. Every phenomenon is a sacrament. For all that, a disturbance is a disturbance; the Five of Wands is called Strife.

This card is referred to Geburah of the suit of Fire. Geburah itself being fiery, it is a purely active ,force. It is ruled also by Saturn and Leo. Leo shows the element of Fire at its strongest and most balanced. Saturn tends to weigh it down and to embitter it. There is no limit to the scope of this volcanic energy.

The symbol represents the wand of the Chief Adept, showing that the authority is derived from the superiors; were it not so, this card would be thoroughly disastrous. Moreover, there are also two wands of the Second, or Major Adept. They have the head of the Phoenix, which gives the idea of destruction (or rather purgation) through fire, and the resurrection of the energy from its ashes.

There is also a pair of wands of the Third, or Minor, Adept, which are daughters, so to speak, of the wands in the Three of Wands. In this card there is the mitigating influence of the Mother. One of the most difficult doctrines with regard to Geburah is that, while it represents all this tameless irrational energy and disturbance, yet it derives from the benign and gentle influence of the feminine.

The Egyptians understood this doctrine perfectly. Their Lion goddess, Pasht, was hailed as “saeva” and “ferox”, was even called “red in tooth and claw” by those fanatical devotees who wished to identify her with Nature. The idea of sexual cruelty is often inherent in the highest divine nature; compare Bhavani and Kali in the Hindu system, and observe the Shiva-Sakti coition portrayed on many Tibetan banners. See also Liber 418, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd Aethyrs; and the description supra of Atu XI.

THE FIVE OF WANDS - STRIFE

Astrology: Saturn in the 1. decan of Leo Tree of Life: Geburah through Fire

Like all Fives, the Five of Wands stands for Geburah - motion and changing and the powers of destruction - and 5 is the number that breaks the stability and structure of the Four. 

Fire isn't meant for settling and resting, and the flames burn high to break out of their own realm of the Four. This means revolutionary movements and aggressive renewals, and sometimes this isn't the most pleasant way to go. Especially not when we felt good and comfortable in the secure structure of the Four. 

In the shadowy aspect, the violent disruption of the struggling flames can mean that we're just agressive and restless, making trouble for no better reason than being bored.

Drive: Challenge, the will to break out, contest, struggle, conflict, rashness 

Light: Refreshment, renewal, boldness 

Shadow: Struggle, conflict, destruction, spritual crisis, prodigality, trickery

THE FIVE OF WANDS - FIGHT - Mars 5th House - Race

Keywords: Saturn in the Lion, unfulfilled desire, desperate, timid, futile struggle, inhibition

Advice: In this situation, there is a great danger of giving up on yourself. Saturn reminds you to approach everything carefully, step by step. Don't let them run you down. Always look at the flame behind the stick, which is enough despite the obstacles. That you draw this card is a sign that you are ready to face the situation and do something about it.

Questions: What are the insurmountable obstacles that seem to exist between you and your goals? What does the mountain of tasks and responsibilities look like now?

Suggestion: Step by step! Buy everything a little easier! Draw another card on top of this one!

Revelation: As I work, I am increasingly able to express my feelings and creativity.

Analogies:

Ji-Ching: None (?)

Mythology: The Competitor (Dactyl{os} Heracles)

Keywords: competition, challenge, test of strength (but more player than serious)

Look carefully at ourselves. Do and repeat every day to improve.

FIVE OF WANDS

General Meaning

This suit, most often called "Wands" and sometimes called "Rods" or "Staves," represents initiative, ambition, drive and desire. This is the suit of enterprise and risk-taking.

The Five of this suit symbolizes struggles caused by ambitious maneuvering and a competitive urge. This could be about someone who is pushing his or her agenda forward at the expense of others.

There can be a fine line between demonstrating personal excellence and making others feel like losers. It may be necessary to ask yourself, who is it that really benefits when we all fight so hard for such small rewards? Am I serving a negative, manipulative agenda when I start applying battle metaphors to business?

Even when your only motive is to be the best you can be, it is understandable to want recognition for what is fine and unique about you. However, minimize the number of egos bruised in the process or your success will be celebrated alone.

In the Reversed Position

When team spirit fails despite all effort, your inner strength can pull you through. When the Five of Wands is reversed there is no way to completely overcome the competitive environment; you are unable to bond with potential partners in a team spirit. You must fall back on your own sense of mission and sense of survival to provide direction.

In the Advice Positon

The Five of Wands in this position encourages you to find your natural ambition. Identify what energizes you, what you would fight for and what you are passionate about — even when you're tired or discouraged. Strive to make that the centerpiece of your mission.

This is how you find your livelihood and establish your path of service.

Read more:

• » The Book of Thoth - A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians by Aleister Crowley.
• » Liber LXXVIII - On the Tarot - A complete treatise on the Tarot giving the correct designs of the cards with their attributions and symbolic meanings on all planes. - A description of the Cards of the Tarot, with their attributions, including a method of divination by their use.
• » Manuscript N - The Tarot - A Golden Dawn Manuscript - A Theoricus Adeptus Minor Paper.