The Meaning of
the "Two of Wands" Tarot Card
Tarot Quick Info
What is the inverted meaning of
the "Two of Wands"?
The Meaning of
Tarot Card
The Symbolism of the Two of Wands
A nobleman overlooks his fertile lands from a castle wall. He holds a globe symbolizing the Earth in his right hand, and a wand in his left.
A second wand stands behind him, mounted to the ramparts.
The wand in the man's left hand symbolizes his own personal journey, which is still in its planning stages. The wand attached to the ramparts represents the growth of his family before him, which has brought him to this point.
... the man is pictured at a crucial phase in his life — preparing to leave his family's seat and venture forth on his own.
The symbolism of the two wands is that the man is pictured at a crucial phase in his life — preparing to leave his family's seat and venture forth on his own.
A standard with a rose, cross, and lily adorn the castle wall — presumably his ancestral coat of arms. In the distance we see a complex landscape with a town, lush greenery, mountains and a shoreline. As is true in other cards, mountains are used to represent challenges ahead, and water is used to represent emotion.
NOTE: Observant students of the Tarot may notice that the roses and lillies seen in the corner of the Two of Wands, also adorn the Major Arcana, Magician card. On the Magician card, the lillies represent purity of purpose and femininity while the roses symbolize love and masculinity. When both roses and lilies appear together they typically mean dynamism and a creative force — as is also seen on The Magician card. Since the roses and lillies appear on a family seal or coat-of-arms, we take this to mean the man is preparing to build or expand his family fortune.
How to Interpret the Two of Wands
The Two of Wands references a time of planning, before taking any action; A careful consideration of options, strategies and potential pitfalls.
As we see in the image on the card, the man is not quite ready to leave on his quest: He plans his voyage with his globe and prepares mentally for the adventures before him.
When the Two of Wands appears in a reading it can have several different takeaways depending on the type of reading, but generally speaking it references preparations.
... the card may indicate the necessity of more cautious planning and consideration.
If someone is embarking on a new project or venture, the card may indicate the necessity of more cautious planning and consideration.
If a project is already underway, the Two of Wands may either indicate a pause to reconsider a plan or a strategy. Or, it may serve as a gentle warning that not enough pre-planning was done before starting something.
The card may also point to a time in history, in the past, when careful planning was taking place.
In many cases, we avoid planning because we're eager to start something. Or because it's just easier to start first and solve problems later.
The Two of Wands reminds us to trust in our inner voice and map out the roads that lay before us; Think about choices and think about the challenges that await.
Even a few minutes of insight — and foresight — may serve you well.
The Two of Wands Inverted
Like the upright Two of Wands, the reversed Two of Wands references planning and preparation — but serves as much more of a warning than it does in the upright position.
... assumptions were made that may not be true, or may not pan out the way we planned
When the Two of Wands appears inverted, it suggests that assumptions were made that may not be true, or may not pan out the way we planned.
Perhaps in a rush to get started, we missed something or glossed-over some important detail. Either way, we find ourselves here at a point where something we banked on just isn't what we thought it was — and that may have major ramifications from this point forwards.
Another, somewhat similar meaning for the inverted Two of Wands is that an important decision or area of planning has been ignored: Perhaps it's a decision that nobody wanted to make, or perhaps it's a painful decision. Either way, not making that decision may be the worst scenario of all.
When the Two of Wands reversed comes up in a reading, it's a warning to take seriously: Something didn't get the attention it deserved.
Common Symbols Found On the Two of Wands Card
Tarot cards often use a a symbolic language to convey additional hints about how the card should be interpreted. The Two of Wands includes at least eight common, repeating Tarot symbols. Each of these symbols can add greater layers of interpretation to the card.
The symbols which appear on the Two of Wands card are:
Coats of Arms
Coats of arms symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
A family crest or coat-of-arms symbolizes success, generational wealth and a rock-solid dedication to family. A coat of arms may also symbolize obligations or the duty one has to family or an organization.
NOTE: The coat-of-arms shown on the Two of Wands is made up of both lilies and roses. Because roses represent male energy in Tarot symbology, and lilies represent female energy, the meaning here is that this family's power rests on a powerful interplay of male and female energy.
Roses
Roses symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
Roses are among of the most important symbols in the iconic Rider-Waite Tarot deck. What can sometimes several different types of roses depicted on different cards. Each of these types carries a different meaning.
NOTE: The roses shown in the Two of Wands card are shown on a family-crest together with white lilies. This combination of male and female energies together with a noble crest, suggest a potent mix of hereditary power and birthright.
Lilies
Lilies symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
White lilies are used frequently in the Rider Waite deck on multiple cards. They symbolize pure thoughts, innocence, clarity and keen focus. Lilies are also thought of as representing a female force, or the "Yin" half of the Yin Yang. In historic European beliefs, the white lily is also associated with the concept of virginity, the biblical Mary and things that are both pure and sacred.
NOTE: The lilies and roses shown on the Two of Wands form a family crest. The suggestion here is that this family's stature is formed from a powerful mix of male and female energy.
Water
Water symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
In Tarot imagery, water appears in multiple forms — ranging from rain, to small pools, to bubbling rivers and streams, to wide seas and oceans. While each of these types of water may carry a more specific meaning, water in broad strokes represents nourishment, emotion and our intuitive nature. Water is more common in the Minor Arcana cards, and is very often (but not exclusively) linked to the Suit of Cups.
Mountains
Mountains symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
Mountains are some of the most common symbols appearing in the Tarot. In broad strokes, mountains indicate trials which must be passed, and hurdles which must be overcome. Depending on the Tarot card where mountains appear, these hardships may either reference future issues which lie along the current path, or they may represent past trials and hardships which have already been completed before arriving at this time.
Castles
Castles symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
Castles symbolize a mix of wealth, security and strength. They suggest an upper tier of worldly achievements — representing familial dynasties and financial security. Castles also indicate a well-defended safe haven from opposition and a stable foundation from which to grow, plan and prosper.
NOTE: The castle shown in the Two of Wands card symbolizes a strong foundation from which to plan, venture forth and take calculated risks.
Trees
Trees symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
In a general sense, trees serve to accentuate a connection to nature and to natural forces. Trees are one of the most widely used symbols in the classic tarot deck. The specific meaning of any one tree varies depending on the specific Tarot card on which it appears.
NOTE: The Two of Wands card depicts two wands which are growing and sprouting like trees. This depiction of the wands serves to establish the idea of growth and potential.
Grey skies
Grey skies symbolism appears on the Two of Wands card:
The types of sky in Tarot symbolism often hide subtle hints regarding the message of each card. Grey-colored skies typically suggest a degree of the unknown. This neutral or grey colored sky is neither bad, nor very good.
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