Ten of Wands -

Tarot Card Meaning

Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.

Written by Made Musings

TEN OF WANDS

At a glance:

This card represents being weighed down by responsibilities and the burden of carrying too much on your shoulders.

Upright Keywords:
Responsibilities, burdens, need to redistribute work

Reversed Keywords:
overburdened, weighed down, burnout

Numerology:
10 - completion and new beginnings

Ten of Wands: Upright Meaning

The Ten of Wands depicts a man trudging towards a nearby town while carrying a large bundle of ten wands. He is bent over by the heavy load, which also obstructs his view. This card represents being weighed down by responsibilities and the burden of carrying too much on your shoulders. While the end of your journey might be near, it’s essential to assess whether you’re pushing yourself too hard. It’s a reminder to consider delegating tasks and not taking on more than you can handle.

Numerology and Suit Meaning:

  • In numerology, the number 10 represents both completion and new beginnings. It symbolizes the end of one cycle and the start of another, embodying the idea of continuous evolution. This dual aspect of completion emphasizes life's cyclical nature.

  • The suit of wands primarily symbolizes passion, creativity, determination, and drive. These feelings lead us to take inspired action and manifest our dreams. There is often also an aspect of overcoming challenges or travel.

  • Elementally, wands are correlated to fire. Like our ambitions, fire is a source of energy. It can help create change such as transforming raw materials into porcelain or metal. However, when it loses control and becomes impulsive, it can lead to destruction.

Love/Relationships

The Ten of Wands love meaning indicates that external pressures or personal burdens might be making it difficult to focus on your partnership. You may feel like you’re carrying the weight of the relationship all by yourself, which can lead to feelings of frustration and resentment. This card suggests that it’s crucial to communicate with your partner and ask for their support. Sharing the load can strengthen your relationship and prevent negative feelings from lingering (such as bitterness or annoyance). It’s okay to ask for help and to share the burdens equally.

Money/Career

When it comes to your career, the Ten of Wands suggests that you may be overworked and pulled in too many directions. The sheer volume of tasks and responsibilities is overwhelming, making it challenging to see the path ahead clearly. This card is a call to evaluate your workload and see if there are ways to redistribute it. Prioritize tasks and see if there are any that can be delegated to others.

Spiritual/Self

On a personal level, the Ten of Wands indicates that you might be carrying unnecessary burdens that are hindering your growth. You may be taking on too much, trying to meet everyone’s expectations, and neglecting your own needs in the process. Ask yourself: What are you sacrificing in your quest to help others?

Sacrifice after sacrifice, you might find yourself unable to see the bigger picture because you are carrying too many things. It's time to release the weight on your shoulders. We must realize the importance of letting go of these burdens, or they will continue to weigh us down. Lightening your load is essential for your well-being and for reaching the finish line.

“The sheer volume of tasks and responsibilities you’ve taken on is overwhelming, making it challenging to see the path ahead clearly.”

Astrology

The suit of Wands in tarot is closely associated with the element of Fire, symbolizing energy, passion, and creativity. This fiery connection resonates profoundly with the zodiac fire signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, reflecting their dynamic, enthusiastic, and adventurous nature. The fire signs embody initiative, courage, ambition, creativity, and personal power. They are natural born leaders. Together, these fire signs and the Wands remind us of the transformative power of having the passion and courage in igniting our desires.

Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.

Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the Ten of Wands has a similar meaning to the upright position. The reversed version suggests a stronger feeling of being overwhelmed and consumed by unnecessary burdens. It’s a signal that you need to reassess your commitments and let go of tasks or responsibilities that are not worth your time and energy. This card encourages you to say “no” more often without feeling guilty about it. Simplifying your life and focusing on what truly matters can help you regain clarity and balance.

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CARD SUMMARY

Reassess your commitments and let go of tasks or responsibilities that are not worth your time and energy.

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