The Four of Wands Tarot card presents us with a compelling scene of celebration and jubilation as the two characters in the foreground and their supporters celebrate an undefined victory or accomplishment. There is a sense of ease and pure joy about the Four of Wands, as if long hours of work or intense study have finally paid off and the card’s characters can now relax, for the time being, and just revel in what has been achieved.
When the Four of Wands Minor Arcana card appears in Tarot readings, it can indicate a recent or impending graduation, the finalisation of the purchase of a new home, landing an important new job, or learning that you or something you have helped create has won an award. When the Four of Wands come up, the hard work is behind you and the well-deserved fruits of your labour are about to drop down into your lap.
The Four of Wands reversed, on the other hand, indicate a long-unfinished project, a dream left to fester, or unfinished business. When the reversed card appears in a Tarot reading, it can be a message for you to go back and finish what you started, so that you will get to experience the joy and the growth that comes from completing an important piece of work. It may be time to get back to university to finish your degree, or to finally get that story that’s been stuck in your head down on paper.
What the Wands mean in Tarot
The Tarot’s Minor Arcana has four suits, one representing each of the four elements. The suit of Swords represents air, the suit of Pentacles earth, the suit of Cups water and the suit of Wands fire.
Fire is associated with passion, drive, ambition, creation and manifestation. When a Wands Tarot card comes up in Tarot readings, it deals with these energies in your life.
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When the fire element is in its positive aspect, it indicates accomplishment, the fulfilment of ambitions and living your heart’s desire. When, on the other hand, the fire element is unbalanced, it can mean that you have lost touch with your inner fire, your inner sense of drive and passion, or conversely, that your fire energies are out of control, consuming everything in its path.
A good Minor Arcana card example of the fire element in its negative aspect is the Ten of Wands, in which we see a character so consumed with pursuing multiple projects and passions that his ambition is weighing him down, rather than lifting him up.
Numerology number 4 in Tarot
According to numerology, the number 4 stands for balance, support and the laying of foundations.
This makes great sense in relation to the 4 of Wands Tarot card, in which an important milestone or accomplishment has been reached – something that is going to form the foundation for further career developments, wealth-building or creative fulfilment.
Four of Wands Tarot card description
Depictions of the Four of Wands Tarot card differ between different Tarot decks, bust most versions include the symbols and details we see in the traditional Rider-Waite Tarot. Because it is the most prevalent, the Rider-Waite version of the card is the one we are going to examine here.
The revellers
The Four of Wands shows two jubilant characters, perhaps friends, a couple, creative collaborators or fellow students, dancing and celebrating. They are both crowned with wreaths made of flowers and are holding large flower bouquets, clearly symbolic of their efforts having come to fruition and of their ideas or potential having burst into bloom.
The wands
In the card’s foreground, four wands are stuck into the ground, suggesting passion and drive that is solidly rooted and grounded in reality and practicality.
The wreath
The four wands are crowned with yet another flowering wreath, this one much larger than tithe ones the characters wear on their heads. It represents the crowning and completion of a project or endeavour.
The supporters
Behind the card’s two main characters, a party of supporters has shown up to applaud and share in the excitement and success of their loved ones. The supporters may be family members, friends or patrons of the two main characters.
The castle
A large castle rises in the card’s background.
Castles, in the Tarot, represent material security, home, safety and support. A castle can also hint at a privileged background, inherited wealth or family support.
Four of Wands Tarot card meanings
When the Four of Wands Tarot card appears in its upright position, it is a decidedly good omen. Here are the key upright Four of Wands Tarot card meanings.
Celebration
The Four of Wands Tarot card tends to come up when there is something worth celebrating: Weddings, graduations, parties, events and celebrations of every kind are indicated. Whether you have just graduated, landed a new job or announced your engagement, the upright Four of Wands suggests that now is the perfect time to gather your loved ones for a party.
Your reason to celebrate could be either a personal or a professional accomplishment or victory. The hard work you have been putting in may have finally yielded the degree, the job promotion or the reward you were hoping for, or you may gather your family to share in your happiness on your wedding day.
Homecoming
Sometimes, the Four of Wands represents homecoming, a return back to your roots or to your family after a long journey or gap year abroad. In many ways, the Ten of Wands is a happy family card, as it shows family and friends welcoming , celebrating and embracing you, revelling in your happiness as if it was their own.
Joy
The key meanings of the Four Wands Tarot card would not be complete without mentioning joy.
In some cases, the Four of Wands Tarot card simply indicates an overall sense of happiness and a feeling of being loved and supported by the people in your life. When the Four of Wands appears, it can simply indicate that you are in a positive place in your life, a place of happiness, freedom, harmony and multiple opportunities for you to create the future you want.
Reversed Four of Wands Tarot card meanings
When the Four of Wands card comes up reversed in readings, its positive meaning becomes inverted and distorted. Here are the key meanings of the Four of Wands reversed.
Something left unfinished or incomplete
When the reversed Four of Wands shows up, it can indicate that a promising project or worthy goal has been left incomplete, open, unfinished. Self doubt may be keeping you from adding the necessary finishing touches to a piece of work that has great potential and holds much promise.
Self-sabotage
Holding yourself back and living under your ambition and potential can quickly spiral into a cycle of self-sabotage. The reversed Four of Wands indicates that you are not lacking in vision, energy or the inherent magic it takes to succeed -if only you are able to break free from the vice grip of self-sabotage and stand in your own light.
Interpersonal conflict
Occasionally, the reversed Four of Wands can indicate fraught or even toxic relationships, typically within a family, or in a work environment.
Four of Wands Tarot card interpretations
The Four of Wands Tarot card holds within it a plethora of meanings, and whether upright or reversed, the card can be interpreted in multiple ways. Here are a few examples of how the card might be interpreted in the context of different Tarot readings.
What the Four of Wands means in a love Tarot reading
Upright
When you read Tarot and the Four of Wands comes up, it is a great omen.
If you are in a committed romantic relationship, a special time and an upcoming celebration are hinted at. A proposal or even a wedding are distinct possibilities. If you are not expecting or planning a celebration, you may simply be in a very positive and joyful place in your relationship. There is a sense of mutual support, of uplifting and inspiring each other.
Reversed
The Four of Wands reversed is bad news for romance. If you are in a committed relationship, there is likely to be discord between you and your romantic partner. Perhaps you are not seeing eye to eye on important future goals and plans, such as whether to get married or have children. Your discord is creating stress and tension all around. If you are currently living the single life, you may be self-sabotaging your attempts at forging a new romantic connection by undervaluing and holding yourself back.
What the Four of Wands means in career Tarot readings
Upright
You are in an extremely positive place, a place of opportunity and growth.
A recent accomplishment or milestone has boosted your confidence and you are now going after even greater success. You believe in yourself and in your abilities – and so do the people around you. You have no shortage of supporters willing to cheer you along or pay you for the products or services you have to offer.
Reversed
When the reversed Four of Wands makes an appearance in a career Tarot reading, it indicates either discord between you and the people you work with or for, or suggests that you are sabotaging your own accomplishments and growth.
You may be doing so unconsciously, by not completing your most ambitions projects or not following through on your best ideas.
Truly understanding 4 of Wands could mean the difference between great happiness and misery down the line. Find a psychic medium near you today, whether you’re in New York City, Chicago, Utah, Seattle in the US, or somewhere completely different, you can get the expert guidance you deserve. Don’t forget you can also get a psychic email reading at low cost, or try the best online psychic reading sites such as Kasamba, Oranum, PsychicOz, Bitwine, Everclear Psychic and more.
