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Tarot Encyclopedia – The Six of Wands

(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)

The Six of Wands from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

The second decanate of Leo, related to this Key, is the time period of August 2 to August 12, ruled by Jupiter. In Tarot divination, the Six of Wands partakes of a meaning similar to the conjunction of the Sun and Jupiter, combined with the influence of Leo and its natural fifth house.
Well-Dignified: success, happiness, gain; gain through love affairs or by the opposite sex; pleasure in labor; gain after a period of uncertainty and competition.
lll-Dignified: loss through the same things; waste in pleasure; trouble through pride of riches or through insolence based on success.
Keyword: Victory
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side. Divinatory Meanings: 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.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

The Six of Wands is called Victory. The outburst of energy in the Five of Wands, which was so sudden and violent that it even gave the idea of strife, has now completely won success. The rule, or lordship, in the suit of Wands is not quite as stable as it might have been if there had been less energy displayed. So, from this point, as soon as the current leaves the middle pillar, the inherent weakness in the element of Fire (which is this: that, for all its purity, it is not completely balanced) leads to very undesirable developments.

[…]

This card represents Tiphareth of the suit of Fire. This shows Energy in completely balanced manifestation. The Five has broken up the closed forces of the Four with revolutionary ardour, but a marriage has taken place between them; and the result is the Son, and the Sun.

The reference is also to Jupiter and Leo, which seems to imply a benediction on the harmony and beauty of this arrangement. It Will be seen that the Three Wands of the Three Adepts are now orderly arranged; and the flames themselves, instead of shooting out in all directions, burn steadily as in lamps. They are nine in number, in reference to Yesod and the Moon. This shows the stabilization of the Energy, and its reception and reflection by the Feminine.

There is no circle to enclose the system. It is self-supporting, like the Sun.
(From The Book of Thoth)

Rather prosaic AI-generated illustration for the Six of Wands

Golden Dawn’s Book T

TWO hands in grip as the last, holding six wands crossed three and three. Flames issue from the point of junction. Above and below are short wands with flames issuing, surmounted respectively by the symbols of Jupiter and Leo, representing the Decan.

Victory after strife: Love: pleasure gained by labour: carefulness, sociability and avoiding of strife, yet victory therein: also insolence, and pride of riches and success, etc. The whole dependent on the dignity.

Tiphareth of HB:Y (Gain).

Hereunto are allotted the great Angels HB:SYTAL and HB:a’aLMYH of the Schemhamphorash.

Etteilla

Servant
Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Housekeeper, Servant, Valet, Lackey, Slave, Mercenary, Inferior. – Courier, Commissary, Factor. – Interior of the house, Ménage, Family, Complex of the servants of the house.
Reversed. Expectation, Expectation, Hope, Relying on, Grounding, Trusting, Promise. – Confidence, Foresight. – Fear, Apprehension.

MQS