TAROTSix of Wands
Upright
Success and recognition, usually after a period of hard work or trials
Well-earned success and recognition after hard work.
The need to accept recognition with humility and not get used to being the center of attention.
Success and good fortune in most aspects of life.
Intuition
The card shows a rider carrying a wreath denoting success.
The people around him celebrate, sharing and acknowledging his success.
The figure on the horse is Pericles who is strongly associated with an early political set of ideas we now know as democracy.
Reversed
Hard work that goes to waste, success without recognition, or others taking credit for your success.
This card suggests a temporary setback, there is better to come!
Astrologia
Expansion, growth, self-expression. Pursuing your passions. A generous individual with leadership qualities. Prone to over-dramatic behavior caused by ego or arrogance towards others.
Six of Wands
The Six of Wands represents success and recognition after a period of hard work or trials. It denotes meeting significant milestones and overcoming personal and physical challenges.
It suggests victory or success and the recognition this creates.
The reversed card points to lack of recognition after a period of hard work. It can represent challenging situations or setbacks alone the route to success. These setbacks are temporary and are to be expected on occasion.
The ancient world created a number of great leaders whose career was full of both the ups of the upright Six, and failures that look much like the reversed Six.
Pericles
Pericles was an Athenian general and statesman during the ‘Golden Age’ of Ancient Greece. As well as his military and political victories (notably against Persia and then Sparta), his rule coincided with cultural changes that led the ancient world into the modern world.
Artists, philosophers and intellectuals created an atmosphere of creativity and progress and most of the great buildings that remain from this Golden Age were erected during his time as a ruler of Athens.
His policies on wealth benefited the poor, something that was rare in ancient times. Perhaps his most well-known contribution is his lasting legacy of democracy, He was the longest lasting democratic ruler of his time.
He was not without his faults though. Pericles is often seen as an early populist politician and some of his policies may have been to placate the people rather than bring change. His foreign policies often resulted in a drift towards war.
Nevertheless his life was full of gains (with the population often on his side), and a few temporary setbacks. A perfect candidate to represent the Six of Wands!
Description and Symbology
The card shows a rider galloping past an adoring crowd who run along with the rider to share and celebrate his success. Although the horse is moving quickly, the rider appears to be in complete control of the path he is taking.
The rider holds up a pole with a wreath attached. The sun shines through the wreath, reminiscent of the Sun symbol. The sun is the planetary body associated with the sign Leo, which in turn is the astrology sign associated with this card.
The rider
The rider gallops at speed yet is sure of the direction he is taking and casts the look of a confident character. He is right to do so as he deserves his time in the limelight!
The horse
The horse is surefooted, negotiating the twists and turns of the route with ease. Success has been a long or tricky path with many such twists/turns! The horse is grey colored, denoting balance between extremes.
The wreath
The wreath is held high telegraphing well deserved success. The sun shines through the wreath suggesting the sun symbol (circle with a dot) and the associated star sign that controls this card, Leo.
The crowd
The crowd run with the rider in celebration of his gains. This may be to recognize and celebrate his gains or because he is a leader and they will share in his success.
Tips for Readings
The following table shows the upright and reverse meanings for general questions. The last row ('Yes/No') is useful when you are picking a single card to decide a yes or no decision.
Upright
Reversed
Expect success within relationships, partnerships or with friends. You are both successful and recognized for the success within your close circle.
Your success may have occurred between yourself and a close circle and all parties are aware of the team effort and should be rewarded with appropriate praise and distinction.
Be aware that success always has an end though; do not become arrogant or get used to always being on the center stage!
You are not seeing the gains nor recognition from previous hard work. This may be because others are taking the credit, or worse, taking you for granted.
Alternatively goals from your previous hard work may also have not been met or the work itself was wasted.
In either case it may be time to step back and take stock before falling into conflict in your relationships.
Co-workers will notice and appreciate your help and hard work in meeting a deadline or project.
This will help with career progression through recognition of your hard work and personal advancement.
Away from work that produces financial and career gains, there may also be public accolades coming your way.
As with all success don’t let this get to your head - stay professional!
You are facing a lack of fair recognition for work carried out. Others may be taking the credit or downplaying your effort.
This will make you feel underappreciated by co-workers.
This is a difficult situation. You can either find your own definition of success (that may well include a move sideways to another company) or reconsider your strategy.
Also check your workload and/or ego. Was the work itself the problem or are you taking on too much work or even inflating your own importance in the success?
You may beat a health challenge or control and manage a potential health issue such that it is no longer a problem or far less debilitating than it would otherwise have been.
If you have a clear horizon with health issues, now may be a good time to make proactive plans, as you may ward off problems you don’t know exist!
You may see a setback in your health, possibly caused by either pushing yourself too hard for success or the emotional impact of the work being done with little to show for it at the end.
In either case it is time to look after yourself a little more. Recharge, reflect and take stock rather than relive mistakes.
This card suggests personal growth and a better understanding of yourself. This may be occurring because you have has a string of successes and these have contributed to a more positive self-image.
You are unconfident in your current path or have received setbacks in another sphere of your life and this is now impacting your personal growth.
Remember, growth does not happen all the time and sometimes there needs to be a sense of cutting back to allow future growth. Rather than get despondent, now is a time to look at where that future growth needs to happen.
Finally, note that this is a temporary setback!
A recent or upcoming success will increase your finances, perhaps by a promotion or saving or by previous wise decisions.
However this financial growth came about in the past, now is the time you will see the benefits.
Expect some instability in your finances, possibly as a knock-on effect caused by failed goals in other areas of your life or setbacks causing unexpected costs.
It may be time to reassess or take more control of the root issue with a view to balancing finances.
This process will be hard but it should look to the future and not the bruised ego, lost hard work and ruined expectations of the past.
Yes through success and recognition.
No through delays and obstacles. It may be best to pause for a better start before pressing ahead.
Reading the Card
The upright card
The upright card signals a period of personal success. This will usually have come after hard work or getting through a difficult trial.
The card tells us it is okay to have pride in our hard earned accomplishments. We should however accept praise with a sense of humility and share our success with those who deserve it. We should never forget those who stood by our side and helped in our struggles.
Finally, we should not rest on our laurels nor frame our wreath of success as a permanent fixture. Instead, we should use today’s success to strengthen our position for future setbacks or periods of unpopularity (which will always come!).
The reversal
The reversed Six of Wands represents situations where success is slow to come, or not at all. It represents unforeseen problems and barriers to moving forward.
It can point to a lack of recognition after success or others taking credit for your work.
The reversed card describes a temporary situation and the trick is to realize that success and recognition are fickle friends. They don’t always reward appropriately, but that is just a part of life!
Card Design Process
Most Tarot cards show a stately leader in a calm procession but this design takes a different visual route. Success and adoration are a horse and rider running at full tilt and is rarely a solemn or organized affair!
Final Words
The Six of Wands represents victory and recognition after hard work. The card tells us it is okay to bask in the renown and success given it has been earned. We must take this success with humility and not expect to be center stage all day though!
