The Six of Wands is very fitting of a card to follow the preceding five. The Six of Wands shows a group of men on their horses, carrying their wands. One is carrying a wand with a laurel wreath hung on it while wearing a wreath on his head, which signifies triumph. There is a savouring of victory here where the present moment feels sweeter than any up to this point, and it beautifully illustrates how things work out in the end when there is competition, debate, and hard work at play. Sixes in the Minor Arcana help to show where things are coming back into balance and where things are evolving. In reference to the Six of Wands, the feelings in a creative or career partnership are being righted, and the relationship is evolving to the next level of teamwork.
When more than one six appears in the same spread, there is an appended message available to the querent. Pairs of sixes help show where one can benefit from accepting or asking for a favour from another in regards to career prospects while three of them sheds light on happy voyages with lovers and luck that is caused by or associated with companions. One might date someone else from the office. Having four sixes in a spread indicates success in regards to a childhood dream or public recognition, and could herald the attainment of a long standing career goal. The Six of Wands is all about looking at the journey one has been on in their creative life and where they have been in order to gain inspiration for the future.
The Six of Wands in an Upright Position
The Six of Wands shows victory for the querent when it’s shown in an upright position. The querent was able to make it through the conflict in the receding card, and he came out on top. There may be promotion, and the querent will feel as if they can do no wrong. There will be more opportunity on the horizon for the querent, but right now there is too much recognition going around to move on. Everything the querent does seems to have benefits. There may be a public award received or honours given in some way, and the querent could be feeling extremely good about himself. There is celebration here regardless of what else the querent is enjoying, so this is a nice card to have after the hostility in the Five of Wands.
The meaning of all Minor Arcana cards can be modified by the cards that surround it. Court cards from the Minor Arcana (Pages, Knights, Queens, and Kings) all represent people. They have corresponding physical characteristics as well as their own astrological correspondences. The Six of Wands signifies recognition for a job well done after the battles of the five were won. The court cards that fall in the same area will help to identify the people who helped out along the way or those who will be congratulating the querent on keeping it together. Any Major Arcana cards will help to make the interpretation more defined. The Hierophant shows where the querent cold end up working with a new client who makes large contributions to her faith or church. With the Moon, we see the querent having to work evenings to help achieve balance at work.
The Six of Wands in a Reversed Position
The reversed position of each card of the Minor Arcana is really as it states: an inversion of the card’s meaning. A reversal of the Six of Wands shows where the querent may not receive the credit he is entitled to. There may be a delay with the realization that one has actually won the battle, and there may not have been any victory. The querent, in fact, may have been defeated if the Six of Wands is found reversed in a tarot layout. There is a feeling of being unappreciated and underutilized, which gives one a sense of unimportance. There may be an urge to desert one’s post and search for a new opportunity. The querent may have had to just this and find a new job as a result, or he may be spending extra time trying to make up for the mistakes he made during the delicate situation of the five. However, all is not lost to the reversal of the Six of Wands. The querent may still be called for recognition but may be acknowledged for playing a minor supportive role instead of being the think tank or team leader. Whatever the next goal may be, the querent will be there if it can be found, and optimism will be the key to righting the reversal seen here.
There will be a slight degree of upset or frustration with a reversed Six of Wands as there was a great amount of effort poured into the conflict of the five in order to make it this far with one’s career goals, and now no one seems up for discussing the querent’s feelings of being slighted. It’s as if the previous situation didn’t exist, and people are minimizing it at every turn. Although it can be tempting to want to take it up with someone, this detail is not important enough to jeopardize all that has been accomplished thus far. Caution should be taken to retain the respect of others as opposed to taking the role of bitter and disgruntled employee. There will be plenty of time in the future to enjoy hearing about the stuff we like to hear. If it is becoming difficult to hold one’s tongue as others receive all of the credit, tell a single friend and no one else, this will help to prevent more friction at the office.
Key Terms
- Victory with career goals
- Celebrating success with colleagues
- Recognition for achievements
- Accomplishment
- Relief from conflict
- Overcoming obstacles
- Conquering creative blocks
- Re-established order