Six of Wands

Quick answer

The core meaning of Six of Wands is Harmony in the realm of Action. Upright, it usually points to The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the s; reversed, it may suggest Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty.

Card imagery

A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side.

Upright meaning

Upright keywords: Action: Harmony. Waite gives the upright divinatory meaning as: 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 meaning

Reversed keywords: Action: Harmony (blocked). Waite gives the reversed divinatory meaning as: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.

Love, Career, Money, and Growth

Love

Upright, the relationship gets recognised: going public, being cheered on by friends, or a pursuit finally answered. Reversed, you want to be seen and are not, one of you needs constant validation, or there is something else behind the sweetness on display.

Career

Upright it is promotion, an award, a proposal adopted, praise in public, the moment your effort is finally seen. Reversed, credit is taken by someone else, results go unrecognised, or you care so much about applause that you forget the next step.

Money

Upright it often brings a bonus, a raise, an investment gain realised, or income that comes with some prestige. Reversed, beware spending to keep up appearances, or a win on paper that never turns into actual cash.

Personal growth

The Six of Wands lets you feel what recognition is like. Upright, accept the praise openly and thank the people who helped; reversed, notice that if your worth can only come from outside, victory empties out fast.

Example question

You ask whether you will pass the promotion review and draw the Six of Wands. Upright is the card of being seen and recognised; the odds are good, so prepare to accept the outcome and thank your collaborators. Reversed warns your contribution may be undervalued or claimed by someone else, so make sure there is a traceable record of what you did.

How they feel

When Six of Wands shows how someone feels about you, the feeling shows up as warmth toward you and an urge to see you or make a move. Past moments with you color it, and part of them wants to reconnect. Upright it leans toward victory, recognition, and progress made public; reversed, toward recognition missing, vanity bruised, or a win that will not hold.

Yes or No

Upright

Yes

Reversed

No

This is our own quick read, based on which way the card’s meaning leans. Traditions disagree about individual cards, and a “Maybe” needs to be weighed against the position in the spread and your actual situation rather than taken as a one-word answer.

Waite’s Original Text (1911)

Additional Meaning

Servants may lose the confidence of their masters; a young lady may be betrayed by a friend. Reversed: Fulfilment of deferred hope.

Quoted from A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. The text is in the public domain.