Six of Wands
Laurels
“I just want to be perfect.”
Black Swan
Six of Wands at a glance
Finbarre’s interpretation: The Six of Wands brings visible recognition, along with the pressure of being watched after success.
| Upright | victory, public recognition, confidence, encouraging news, promotion |
|---|---|
| Reversed | delayed recognition, fragile confidence, vanity, public disappointment, hollow victory |
| Linked card | Five of Wands |
| Soundtrack | The Greatest by Cat Power Open the full Tarot Interviews playlist on Spotify |
Upright meanings
- Victory
- Public recognition
- Confidence
- Encouraging news
- Promotion
- An audience
- Earned praise
- Leadership after achievement
- Momentum
- A successful return
Reversed meanings
- Delayed recognition
- Fragile confidence
- Vanity
- Public disappointment
- Hollow victory
- Disloyal support
- Fear of failure
- Overreliance on praise
- Private success
- Status anxiety
Six of Wands in a reading
| Area | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Love | Relationship energy: An audience. Reversed: Disloyal support. |
| Career | Work: Earned praise; leadership after achievement. Warning: Fear of failure. |
| Money | Financial theme: Momentum. Warning: Private success. |
| Feelings | Upright: Confidence. Reversed: Vanity. |
| Advice | Prioritise: A successful return. Watch for: Status anxiety. |
| Outcome | Potential: Promotion. Obstacle: Hollow victory. |
| Yes or no | Yes, with a strong chance of recognition. |
Symbols in Six of Wands
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The laurel wreath | Achievement has been publicly named. |
| The mounted figure | Success elevates one person above the surrounding group. |
| The crowd | Recognition depends partly on witnesses and collective opinion. |
| The upright wands | Support is present, but it can become pressure to keep performing. |
A. E. Waite's original description
A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side.
Waite's original divinatory meanings
Upright:
The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King's courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth.
Reversed:
Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.
Source: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, first published in 1910, with illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith.
Continue through the deck
- Previous card: Five of Wands
- Next card: Seven of Wands
Written and interpreted by Finbarre Snarey, tarot researcher, founder of the British Tarot Archive and coordinator of the UK living heritage submission for Rider-Waite-Smith tarot reading practice.
These interpretations reflect Finbarre Snarey’s understanding of contemporary Rider-Waite-Smith tarot practice. They are provided for education, reflection and entertainment only and should not be treated as medical, legal, financial, psychological or relationship advice.
